The Child Buyer

"The Child Buyer" is a short story by Henry Slesar that explores themes of manipulation and conformity. It centers on a young boy who visits a store where children are 'purchased' to serve specific roles. The story uses this fictional setting to critique societal pressure, the desire for approval, and the idea that children can be molded to fit certain expectations. Through this allegory, it highlights how adults may impose their own ideas of success and behavior on children, often without considering their individuality. Overall, it offers a commentary on the ways society influences childhood development and identity.