Should parents of obese children get prosecuted for child cruelty?

Troubled Joe(the ghost of)

absolutely. if it's not genetic then yes. kids will pick on obese kids. that's a sad fact made worse if the reason is because they are being fed junk at home

snowshoe134

Obesity can be caused by genetics, I think it would be unfair to always blame it on the parents.

Tommy's_Sweet_Girl

There are just some children that are obese because of health problems not that their parents aren't feeding them right, and making them excersise. I don't think parent's should be prosecuted because their children are obese, sometimes parent's can't help what's wrong with their child.

Bexs

Definitely not. If you did that, it would only be fair to prosecute the parents of anorexics too. It has to work both ways. Do you work for the Government by any chance?!

Marcie E

I think that would be bringing the law into our personal lives a little too much, next thing you know they would be looking in our windows to see what we are eating. So NO, but i often wonder if when these children grow up if they ever feel mad or angry at their parents for not making them eat healthier.

Viking

Ah yes....another left-wing liberal wanting the government to intrude even more into our lives.

nenealne

no but i see your point.

trucker

why do you perfectpeople want to prosecute folk that dont come up to your standards, i notice you never mentioned the big companies who advertise the junk and try to entice people to be gluttons, or do you have too much respect for there proffits.

CAROLYN B

NO, because on matter what I do my daugther not losing any weight.

Nice Guy

Your Government will go broke prosecuting the parents and caring for the children.It amazes me what folks want Government involved in.

Chew

Yes and No!

Parents would never willingly choose to have a fat kid...... Comes down to education.

Trouble is you can't prosecute someone for being stupid!

the dougal

Unfortunately life isn't black and white. There are many reasons for obesity. But i do agree that in some cases it is down to bad parenting and that should be seen as a crime. Parents moan that their children won't eat anything but crisps and chocolate. Who buys the food?! I think a major factor is the general breakdown of the family unit, people don't pass on their skills. No one knows how to cook proper food any more. I'm always shocked to see programmes like "you are what you eat". People seem so unaware of their diet and its effects.

mikey

I don't think you can single out the parents. It's as much social and cultural as anything. What we eat, how much we eat, and why we eat it... needs looking at. In some way, everyone's to blame.

terry h

Where do you stop? would you also prosecute if the children were skinny? if you are concerned about any child being abused call the authority's as I'm sure's what happened in the case of the dog. Btw, I think it's disgusting the dog is be given back to the owners.

Spirit

Yes and no, I think you have to consider the pros and cons, because some people are not fat because they eat too much or are over fed. So it would be unfair for those who are born with it - e.g hereditary

quirky

I don't think so, even though I agree that it is irresponsible. Statistically, obese children are from poor minority families. Fast foods and other unhealthy options are sometimes the only affordable and accessible options to poor families. I think it would be better for our society to focus on prevention, and adding things to fast food menus that are healthy options for children and families, and educating parents about nutrition. Also when huge companies like Coke and McDonald's have contracts to serve their products within elementary schools, you also have to address the issue of corporate influence on children's diets.

kathy059

The only problem with your rationale is that the dogs are in the care of it's owners 24/7 where as children are in school for the majority of their days. So I'd say we should put the blame where it belongs, don't you?

Indio

yup!!!!!!!!!!!!
obesity is considered a disease and when you get a disease alot of times it you fault

Mills`

interesting qs. the earlier judgement with regards to dogs is justified on the basis that they are passive recipients from humans. Similarly, one could argue for children, and in cases where it is unnatural, i think it should be done so. Alternately, when the child is old enough, and still suffers from obesity due to parental neglect in the past, cases can be and should be launched. But ofcourse, after some point you be at loggerheads with the concept of human will and freedom to choose etc etc.

manforallseasons

Fat chance...

Goose&Tonic

I certainly think those mothers that go on Maury and are like "Its my baby and I feed it what I want" or "He cries and all I can do to shut him up is give him a twinkie" should be prosecuted and have their children taken away.

Sometimes kids are just a little chubby when they're little though (I was) and it isn't through the fault of the parents. Some kids sneak cookies and stuff (ok, I did!) and the parents aren't fully aware (my mom always blamed my dad for missing cookies!).

brainyandy

When I read the first part of your question, to be honest, I thought it was a bit daft but when you mentioned the two (brothers, I think they are) owners who let their dog put on around 50lb in two years, I have to concede, you've got a point! As someone mentioned there could be certain exceptions such as genetic or some other disorder but other than that...why not?

Veritas

No, you musn't encourage state busybodies. They would be only two happy to usurp the parental role. In fact, they already do to a large extent within schools.

multibite

I totally agree. There should be a tax on obese people. There is NO excuse for being fat other than laziness and gluttony. People are a damn sight more important than dogs so why don't they prosecute parents of fat or obese kids. I would have them fined if not banged up until they slim down. This countries health is going down the pan or should i say in the frying pan.
There is no such thing as fatness being hereditary, what a load of crap, the only thing hereditary is the way the parents eat being passed onto their kids and the way they sit in front of the TV on their fat lard **** all night every night only getting up for some more chips or crisps.
There are no health problems in the world that cause obesity in anyone did you hear that I'll say it again There are no health problems in the world that cause obesity in anyone, its caused by over eating and lack of exercise. Do not confuse the two.

Ms Fabulosity

I think parents who SMOKE around their children should be prosecuted!

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