Childhood Obesity

Submitted By Lisa C. Hickson

I think by now we all know that obesity is a problem in this country, but I think childhood obesity is devastating.  We are responsible for our children.  There are several factors that may cause childhood obesity.  Some children's genetic make-up make them prone to being overweight, but with a managed diet and exercise this problem can usually be corrected.   I think the biggest problem is children not being served  the proper foods.  Children are dependent on their caretakers, usually those caretakers are the parents.  There may be several reasons why parents don't serve healthy foods.  One reason could be money ; after watching the clip in class yesterday, it seems people feel that buying fast food or going to the corner store is cheaper than buying healthy food.  I beg to differ,  I think people are using money as an excuse.  The truth is it's easier, more convenient to go to the corner store, or to purchase fast food.  Parents are letting children tell them what they will and won't eat; they're afraid children won't like the meals that they prepare.  What we must do as parents is start early, with our children's diet.  We can't wait until this issue becomes a major problem.  I know we want to blame the government for everything that is going wrong in our lives, and usually that is the case, but not now.  We also want to blame the media ;  we feel that advertisers are trying to ruin us.  Newsflash this is our problem, we are creating it, like I said "we are responsible for what our children eat"!  What we have to do is take a little extra time.  We have to be more involved with our children's daily activities.  We have to give them alternative things to do ; something other than sitting in front of the televison with a happy meal or playing video games.  We should exercise with our children; remember we are their first teachers.    I think people are uninformed about healthy foods being very expensive, we have to look for items that are on sale, the best thing to do is try growing some things, I know for a fact seeds are not as expensive as you think.  It might sound like a lot of work, but aren't our children worth it?  I picked this video so that everyone who reads this blog will know this is a serious problem.                   

The Argument: Poverty doesn't = crime...yes it does!

Submitted by Prentice Vann:      

          Poverty equaling crime is a debate to many, not a fact. Some think that crime is committed by choice and not circumstance. Their argument is that poverty doesn't make one commit racist murders and rapes. Rapes would make a good argument against poverty breeding criminal activity. Does poverty create rape? Does poverty create showing off at events or for the opposite sex at events? At the same time, does poverty breed drug dealing or robberies? It probably depends on the individual. We3 can debate all day but both points of views can make a point in our society.

              In these first two videos, the view of crime being of one's intentions is expressed. The two individuals, a white person from America and a black person from  Africa, agree that crimes committed by people are of the nature of the individual. People commit crimes because they want to, so they say. The African says that it's due to respect. We know of a certain level of crimes in the US due to respect. An example would be the murder of someone approaching your lover, knowing that you two are together. Also, physical harm done to someone disrespecting your mother, spouse, or child in any matter.

           Others say that (some) crime is brought about by circumstance. The rent needs to be paid and the children, and self, need to be fed. Would someone that would not commit murder commit murder in self-defense? How about if her/his children are there? The government even judges crimes by their purpose. A premeditated murder would result in giving out more prison time than manslaughter. The individual in the video on the right mentions the need of money as a reasonable reason to sell drugs. He also expresses he feelings toward over doing it. He basically say that if one does what he/she does to get what they need, or achieve a level of advancement, they should stop their crimes. One thing that we all should agree on is that our children need to be fed. That would be most of our breaking points.                                                                                                                                                     

Children In Poverty

      Posted by: Tina W.

       The children in the video below aren't skin and bones, but that doesn't mean they aren't suffering.

True, they don't live in shelters or in boxes on the street, but many of them sleep on a neighbors floor at night.

Every one of them admits to sometimes having to study by candlelight when the electric company shuts the

lights off. Sometimes, they say, they cant sleep because there empty stomach is growling in pain. One little

girl recalls the embarrassment she feels when she has to ask friends for leftovers.   

                

      Of the 35.5 million Americans that go struggle with hunger everyday, 12.5 million are

children. While America  is not by any means the most hungry country in the world, it is the only country

where the hunger rates are getting worse instead of improving. I myself work in a grocery store where I see

the amount of food stamps being used steadily increase. No doubt that it is the tough economy and loss of

jobs that is pushing these previously cash buyers below the poverty level. I find that the people i know as

regulars are normally embarrassed, often offering up explanations as to why they are now on welfare. Top

reasons are typical (jobs, economy, sickness) and i wasn't surprised to recently learn that Philadelphia is the

second most hungry of the major cities.

       While every member of a family in poverty suffers, its hard to argue that a child suffers the worse. A

child cannot sleep at night when there stomach hurts, or pay attention the next day in school when they are

hungry and sleep deprived. Poor nutrition now will effect there health for the rest of there lives.Childhood

hunger causes emotional and behavioral problems, and limits social development. Children who live in homes

where finances cause a stressful environment will exhibit poor concentration, which will limit success in

school. Limited success in school, as we all know, usualy means limited success in life.

             

         The video below is admitiidley a little long, but its a great chronicling of what nations hungry children

deal with every day and watching it will give you a greater understanding of what its like. Although,

statiscicly,  you probably already do.