Tag Archives: Week 5

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-11/news/ct-met-school-lunch-restrictions-041120110410_1_lunch-food-provider-public-school

The article above is a perfect example of overreaction from schools regarding the obesity epidemic. Essentially, one school principal in Chicago started a policy six years ago that students were not allowed to bring any outside food into school and had to eat only the lunches and breakfasts that the school provided. Her reason was that she believes that parents are either unaware of proper nutrition or that they are irresponsible and let their children eat anything they want.

I believe that, although this policy was started with good intentions, it ultimately has more negative side effects and should be stopped. First, school for younger kids should not be about taking away their freedoms and what they enjoy doing. If recess and lunch are welcome rests during a long day of learning, then this policy basically cuts the children’s break time in half. After all, the article itself said that the school has seen a dropoff in meal participation because the students don’t like the taste of the food. This means that there are some children who would rather go hungry than eat the school’s food, and this cannot be good for learning.

Parents complain that some of the children might be diabetic or that they might be on a gluten-free diet. These parents are complaining that the school is taking away a fundamental freedom, which is to have their children enjoy life or be raised as the parent chooses, not as the school imposes.

Obesity is certainly a problem, and one that parents must be educated on how to prevent. However, for those who acknowledge the risk and still want their children to enjoy a sweet treat, then policies like these go against the basic concept of freedom.