Should parents of obese kids be punished?
By fieryfrost
@fieryfrost (316)
Philippines
April 9, 2007 12:42am CST
My husband and I were watching a show the other day when the story of obese kids came up. We started to discuss it, he pointed out that parents of these kids should be punished, charged with neglecting their children. He was saying that these kids need their parents attention and care and love especially with the food they are putting on their tables for them to eat. I believe that he's right. These kids do not have any choice BUT to eat what their parents buy for them or cook for them and usually they end up eating really fattening food like pizza, burgers etc.
What do you think, should the parents be responsible for their child's nutrition especially for the obese kids since they are the ones who choose to feed these food to them?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@mememama (3076)
• United States
9 Apr 07
I've seen one of those Maury shows where 1 year olds are knawing on fried chicken and french fries with a bottle of coke. I think it's disguisting. It's cheap to provide healthy options for children. My son thinks corn or yogurt is the best thing ever! I wish these parents would think about their childs long term health instead of what they want right now. Maybe some mandatory nutrition classes would help.
1 person likes this
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
10 Apr 07
Thanks for the response. It's just sad how these parents can take that fact that their babies are eating fatty food and not do anything about it =(
@michelledarcy (5220)
•
9 Apr 07
I don't think punishing parents in this circumstance is appropriate. However sending them on courses which will show them what this neglect for their children's basic needs will do to them in their future lives would be a much better solution.
It may not change all parents, but if it was combined with a better education in schools about diet and exercise then hopefully it will help the problem.
1 person likes this
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
10 Apr 07
Thanks for the response. I think it's a good idea to send them to take courses on parenting. But it just got me thinking, isn't it supposed to be an instinct thing? I mean before these parents became parents they were also teenagers who were concerned with their weight and have seen how eating a lot can change a person's way of life. I just hope these parents could begin to be more instinctive when it comes to their kids and their health.
@xelissa (776)
• New Zealand
9 Apr 07
Well if the Child involved's parents had a bit more discipline then the kid wouldn't be involved in this situation. But many parents are softies and they give into their kids too much. Well i gotta say this to those parents: Toughen up or nothing but the worse is going to happen, and I'm sorry if anyone disagrees with me and has somehow feel offended
1 person likes this
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
9 Apr 07
Thanks for the response. I am soon to become a mother and I am hoping that I don't become one of those mothers who are too soft especially when it comes to disciplining their child. I think it's really the parent's responsibilities to take good care of their children especially choosing the food they take.
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
9 Apr 07
There is more that contributes to a child being over-weight than what the child eats. Therefore it would not be fair to love at a child and judge the parents.
It could be genes, metabolism, medication, thyroid, depression, and a host of other things that are contributing factors. The child should be taken to the doctor and assessed for the best way to deal with the problem and then the parents do the best that they can to help the child stick to that plan.
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
9 Apr 07
Thanks for the response. You do have a point. I wasn't able to consider these other factors. I am just curious, how come shows with obese kids stories don't tell the viewers how these kids got so big. It is wrong for me to judge though, but I guess, I still stick to the punishment if it's because of their parent's neglect.
