Should public schools show films of animals slaugther so children can decide if eating meat is right?

Question

Pushing pushing pushing. That is all I hear. Yet pushing meat on the kids is what you are condoning. You are not even willing to give the children the facts. What kind of society do you want, one that is full of lies. They should know where there food comes from. And, we don't wait until they are 18 to teach them the harm of racism. We educate before it has been ingrained in the fabric of their being.

Well, to the last responder at the time I'm writing, I think even religion should be taught in school. I think tons of stuff should be taught. But there is a major difference in providing descriptive teaching instead of prescriptive. The right to know is what I am for. After that, people have the right to choose. But, if they don't know the facts then we are not teaching them enough information to make competent decisions. Its the same with science, if you dont teach kids the findings they are bound to make unneccessary and harmful decisions.

Some of the comments that I read are just downright anarchical. Well, if you are an anarchist then why not forget about schools, and laws, and government. This is the natural conclusion-- to do whatever you feel like. But, this is contrary to society. And, I don't think that these comments realistically represent the viewpoints of their suppliers. Living without some kind of order is just rediculous to think, it borders on impossibility. Someone is always going to take power over another. This is why our country was established, to provide an order that leads to equal rights. What I am saying is totally American.

Answer 1

That is an interesting question. I wish I had known the truth when I was young. There are quite a few teens and younger folks on this very forum who have found out the truth for themselves via internet and the like...but what about those who do not have access to that information?
I do think that schools have the responsibility to teach children about the ways of life. I know of many things that I learned in school that were absolutely pointless. If the information is presented in a tasteful (no pun intended!) way, it could be useful to children. This could be a topic presented in health class or when they learn about nutrition.
Of course, I'm a veggie and I would be okay with my children seeing this. If they understand the atrocities of this practice, they might be inspired to make a difference in the world.

Answer 2

You are right, parents are pushing their kids to eat meat and yet they condone veg*n parents who choose a healthy and compassionate lifestyle for their kids. Of course kids should be presented with the facts, but all hell would break loose, with angry carnivore parents wanting to protect their children from the "horror of the truth". Kids should AT LEAST know that milk comes from a farm animal, I doubt they even know this much. Information could easily be fitted for their age.

When it concerns religion, as long as ALL religions get an equal place in school, I dont mind it. I think it would be good for children to learn about different religions and cultures, so that when they grow up become more respectful towards other religions. If parents choose to put their child in all christian, or all muslim school that is up to them, but I think in a way it would be a loss, since it is better for kids to get accustomed to many different religions and cultures, not just one.

Anyhow, this is a funny video so have a look. How about showing this in schools? lol :

Answer 3

I love how people are talking about all this traumitizing bull ****!

So learning about the Holocaust and Racism can't be traumitizing. I remember the first time I heard about concentration camps, I was around 10.

It's a good question, but I believe it's up to the parents, not the school, just like religion shouldn't be taught in school.

Edit- Now see, this is where I disagree with you. Religion, like vegetarianism/veganism, is a BELIEF. By teaching religion, it is forcing your beliefs on others. I don't think that is fair at all.

Answer 4

no i think you are absolutely right. Maybe not primary grades K-8 but atleast highschool. We watched gruesome videos from the halucaust and war on people so why not show kids gruesome videos of where their food actually comes from. It always amazes me when so many people have absolutely no idea why I dont eat meat. They just dont know the truth. Before I was a vegetarian I rarely ever heard of animal cruelty cases but now that I am I hear about it all the time because I am actually aware of the issue and like to learn more about it. If you dont hear about this issue from someone else then chances are you may never know about it.

Answer 5

Children, no. Teenagers, yes. It would be inappropriate to show graphic films like that to any child in elementary school but high schoolers could handle it. The school would still need to send one of those notices home to see if the parents approve though, some high schoolers might actually find it a bit traumatizing also, you never know. But high school would be the more appropriate group to show that type of footage to. Perhaps telling children 9 years and older how animals are slaughtered and explaining the benefits of becoming vegan and vegetarian to them would be fine. As long as it isn't being encouraged, simply taught to them. Otherwise there would be some angry parents.

Answer 6

Yes,they should know the truth.I sure as h*ll would've been a vegan since kindergarten.I have seen a Mcdonald's ad showing that hamburger patties grow in a field.Hamburger growing in a field?The meat industry tries to hide these images so far away,when adults see videos of slaughterhouses they rationalize and say 'it's just part of life' and stuff like that,but a kid won't hold back their emotions like that.

Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999)

"...Why is compassion not part of our established curriculum, an inherent part of our education? Compassion, awe, wonder, curiosity, exaltation, humility - these are the very foundation of any real civilisation, no longer the prerogatives, the preserves of any one church, but belonging to everyone, every child in every school."

Answer 7

Maybe, but not until high school. I think a discussion or even a class on the ethics of eating and using animals should be considered . However none of this will happen. The dairy industry is too entrenched in the schools right now. good idea though.

Answer 8

I think you can't show a 6-year-old child a film about torturing an animal, that's too much for a young child. You could show it to teenagers but mostly they make fun of it, except they are alone. I know from other veggies at my age that they gave a lecture on vegetarism and showed videos and all the others made fun of it. I think parents should do that with their children, they can talk about that with them and the children are more serious about that, but that's not possible because parents who are not veggies won't do that. There is only one thing: you must inform yourself about what you eat and what is healthy.
(Excuse me for my English please, I'm German.)

Answer 9

I see a lot of answers saying it would traumatize children, and they're right. BUT, we shouldn't be lying to them. If there is something to be traumatized about, stop it, don't censor it and brainswash them into thinking its "the way things are." War and suffering have been around for a long time, but that doesn't justify them.

If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan.

Answer 10

I think ninth graders are the lowest grade you can show it to. It would disturb other kids. Kindergardners dont even know where 'steak' comes from, they just now that it tastes good. In an episode of disney's kim possible :-)hat I watched one night, they showed a video called, "what's in your mystery meat." but they were seinors, (If you don't know the show.) Hope this helps and have a great day! -question001