Those of whom are of young ages. Should it be considered child abuse?
2007-02-26 14:20:15 · 21 answers · asked by calcio10 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
so, If a 5 year old child weighs 120lbs due to a thyroid disorder, we imprison the parents? What about a child who eats nothing but healthy food yet has a very slow metabolism? Should we jail his parents because he can't burn the fat he takes in? That doesn't make sense. Next we'll be going to jail for telling our children no.
2007-02-26 14:27:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No. Think of how many obese children are out there. If you start considering that abuse, that's how many kids will be in foster homes. Our society has taken a strange turn over the last few years, have you noticed? First it was "Don't tell kids they're fat, it's unhealthy" We were so scared of anorexia and bulimia, that we wouldn't even mention the words "overweight" "fat" or "obese". Now suddenly everyone's overweight, and everyone needs to be on a diet, no matter the age. Just because a child is obese doesn't mean the parent has anything to do with it. Some people are just more prone to easier weight gain. The world will never just all fit into a perfect size. I understand health risks, but taking a child away from a parent over such trivial things can open many doors. What's next, screaming child abuse if a kid GPA isn't a B or higher?
2007-02-26 14:32:51 · answer #2 · answered by Amanda D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the situation. Not every obese person eats a lot. If the obesity problem has to do with a medical problem, then no. I don't think parents should be held responsible for it.
However, if a parent makes a child eat every bite of their food that could have fed three people, then yes. My aunt does that to my cousins. She will give them so much to eat, and make them sit there until it is all gone. They aren't overweight, but I get so angry because if they're not hungry anymore, she shouldn't make them eat the whole thing.
So in that case, parents should be held responsible.
2007-02-26 14:45:44 · answer #3 · answered by Annamarie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not unless the parents are feeding the kids unlimited fast food and a pound of chocolate on a daily basis. Some children are heavy due to genes, some have thyroid problems, some just maintain that "baby fat" until they're half way through grammar school, some just haven't grown in height yet.
I was very fat as a little kid--and was fed a quite proper diet. When I got to about 3rd grade and grew a few inches in height, I was actually underweight.
My brother was the opposite. He ate everything under the sun, but looked malnurished. He was fed the same food as I was--but ate more of it.
2007-02-26 14:32:07 · answer #4 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so....In most states we as parents are held liable for criminal acts, we are held liable for neglect/abuse.... Allowing your child to become morbidly obese in my opinion is a form of abuse and the parent should b held responsible, they could find help for their child, like if the obesity is a medical issue.
2007-02-26 14:27:23 · answer #5 · answered by cor 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, parents should be held liable for anything they do that endangers or damages their children. However there are medical causes for obesity. It's not something that could be applied generally it would need to be on a case by case basis pending medical evidence.
2007-02-26 14:24:33 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Because of the simple fact that kids can be sneaky. even as young as 4 or 5 they will get up in the middle of the night and eat and any chance they get to eat they will eat. I don't keep junk food in my house for that very reason both my 6 and 11 year old will try to sneak it any chance they get. I will buy "junk food" once a week and they will get it as a special treat the night it's bought. But other than that they get healthy food.
2007-02-26 14:39:46 · answer #7 · answered by ducky71j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends if there is an actual medical cause behind it, then obviously it is not the parents fault. but for the parents who feed thier children fast food all the time and plop them in front of the TV, yes, they should be held responsible, it is a parent's job to teach their child healthy living habits. i think it should be considered child neglect.
2007-02-26 15:33:17 · answer #8 · answered by krystal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Being obese are not born. They are created over time. It is parents responsibility to monitor the healthy and balance nutrition of their child,except, however, on extreme cases beyond their control that is inherent to the child's metabolism.
2007-02-26 14:33:07 · answer #9 · answered by dondatu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Even those children "with a medical conditon" should be held if they can not control their health. Parents are responsible for their kids untill they are the age of 18.
I guess they are going to find someone to blame about their kids getting fat. Oh I know!! Lets blame McDonlads!
2007-02-26 15:09:36 · answer #10 · answered by Pandora 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋