23 Apr 07
1 edit
Originally posted by SquelchbelchWhat's wrong with a kid having a few chips with his lunch once in a while? You can hardly expect the governement or food manufacturers to be parents. Its not their fault some parent gives their kid a candy bar everyday. Is a kid having a popsicle on a hot summer day a problem? You crazy nanny state libs are off the deep end on this one.
Junk food firms advertising campaigns targeting children?
What are you going to do when kids still get fat? Ban all food that doesn't met the requirements of some government agency? You do know that people can get fat from eating anything right?
Halloween should be a blast when you guys get your way.
No amount of government intervention can make up for bad parenting.
- Joined
- 23 Jul 05
- Moves
- 8869
23 Apr 07
1 edit
Originally posted by Zander 88It is stupid to think that ads advertisement junk food to children don't have an effect; if that were the case they wouldn't even be on.
Since when have ads influenced you to eat junk food?
I think the primary influence on what you eat is your family and to a lesser extent your friends. That's not government controlled, atleast I hope not 😕
- Joined
- 23 Jul 05
- Moves
- 8869
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by MerkKids are easily manipulated and influenced, I don't think you can assume that parents will always be able to watch their child all the time, stopping them from eating things they shouldn't.
What's wrong with a kid having a few chips with his lunch once in a while? You can hardly expect the governement or food manufacturers to be parents. Its not their fault some parent gives their kid a candy bar everyday. Is a kid having a popsicle on a hot summer day a problem? You crazy nanny state libs are off the deep end on this one.
What are you going t ...[text shortened]... you guys get your way.
No amount of government intervention can make up for bad parenting.
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by Bad wolfParental influence is important, obviously, but there is a reason why fast food companies spend millions each year targeting children too young to buy the food themselves.
Kids are easily manipulated and influenced, I don't think you can assume that parents will always be able to watch their child all the time, stopping them from eating things they shouldn't.
It's called pester-power & it seems to be working, judging from the increase in childhood obesity in parts of the Western world.
23 Apr 07
1 edit
Originally posted by Bad wolfOK, they have some effect, but it's their parents who buy all the groceries, snacks, etc.
It is stupid to think that ads advertisement junk food to children don't have an effect; if that were the case they wouldn't even be on.
Anyways, as far as I know, there has been progress in reducing bad fats, etc, promoting healthy eating, activity.
Oh yeah, and a lot is happening to reduce junk food in school cafeterias, or make healthy alternatives.
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by Squelchbelchconsider also that many children's movies have corresponding "Happy-Meal" Toys. Advertising that targets children should be abolished. They don't have any money, so they point of the ad is to get them to nag their parents. You're right when you say it's up to the parents and individuals to make their own descisions about the food they eat, but I think we should stop advertisers from manipulating children's minds.
Parental influence is important, obviously, but there is a reason why fast food companies spend millions each year targeting children too young to buy the food themselves.
It's called pester-power & it seems to be working, judging from the increase in childhood obesity in parts of the Western world.
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by Darth SpongeNo.
consider also that many children's movies have corresponding "Happy-Meal" Toys. Advertising that targets children should be abolished. They don't have any money, so they point of the ad is to get them to nag their parents. You're right when you say it's up to the parents and individuals to make their own descisions about the food they eat, but I think we should stop advertisers from manipulating children's minds.
I want my country to be the free country everyone says it is.
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by Zander 88If advertising didn't influence people to buy the product they're promoting then companies wouldn't fork out lot's of cash to pay for them, would they?
Since when have ads influenced you to eat junk food?
I think the primarily influence on what you eat is your family. That's not government controlled, atleast I hope not 😕
The primary influence on what people eat is what is available, and in the UK what the supermarkets sell is a glittering array of choice as long as what you want to choose is fairly nasty processed food with lots of additives. The best way of feeding yourself is to by the ingredients from small shops, but most people have limited amounts of time and can't do that.
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by AThousandYoungIt could be argued that massive advertising campaigns by fast food giants actually seek to reduce your freedoms - as any advertising based on kids pestering their parents.
No.
I want my country to be the free country everyone says it is.
I hardly think that a ban on these ads infringes civil liberties!
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by AThousandYoungand you would extend the rights of freedom to Ad agencies!! are you serious!? Restricting advertising- especially psychologically sophisticated ads especially designed to manipulate children- has nothing to do with individual rights- civil rights or freedoms.
No.
I want my country to be the free country everyone says it is.
how about the right for Coke, Pepsi and Frito Lay to put vending machines in junior highs and highschools? God Bless America: Land of the Free, Home of the Whopper.
23 Apr 07
1 edit
OK, sorry. I was mainly thinking of my own experience. Advertisments have zero influence on me. Maybe it's just because I came to the realization quicker that the stuff NOT being advertised is usually the better product.
I would agree with Deepthought that it's what is available that counts most, not the ads. When I go to buy food, if I'm hungry for some junk food, I'm going to buy whatever junk food they have available. I mean, if they don't have snickers, I'm not going to go to someother store and buy them there.
I think the biggest problem is fast food. A lot of that has to do with our societies mentaility of 'I want it now'. Also, we live in a fast pace world, so it's just so much easier to grab a bite while on the road to work, doing homework, etc. And ofcourse, it tastes pretty good!
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by SquelchbelchThat statement is a perfect example of todays bad parenting. We like to make our kids happy because it makes us feel good. We're selfish and letting feeling good stop is from doing what is right. At least that's how it goes in this country.
Parental influence is important, obviously, but there is a reason why fast food companies spend millions each year targeting children too young to buy the food themselves.
It's called pester-power & it seems to be working, judging from the increase in childhood obesity in parts of the Western world.
The problem is not the food companies. The problem is bad parenting.
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by Zander 88Don't apologise for making a reasonable point that wasn't racist, sexist, homophobic or any thing else objectionable. I didn't agree with it, and think there's good reasons it's wrong, but it meant there was something to discuss.
OK, sorry. I was mainly thinking of my own experience. Advertisments have zero influence on me. Maybe it's just because I came to the realization quicker that the stuff NOT being advertised is usually the better product.
The other half of this is exercise. There's a lot of evidence that that helps prevent obesity and helps control all sorts of other metabolic problems like diabetes. Diets are a poor way of controlling weight, as people cheat and also do the wrong things, ideally you want to be eating the same amount, but dropping energy intake; also people tend to feel miserable and end up breaking the diet and eating twice as much. In general, exercise won't help you lose weight either but it improves general health and well-being, which causes people to feel more confident and not worry about their weight so much. While the government shouldn't force people to exercise (except possibly at school) there is a lot it could do to encourage people to and to make it easier.
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by SquelchbelchNo. It could not be argued that advertising limits choice.
It could be argued that massive advertising campaigns by fast food giants actually seek to reduce your freedoms - as any advertising based on kids pestering their parents.
I hardly think that a ban on these ads infringes civil liberties!
If carrot growers flooded the Saturday morning cartoons with ads would they be limiting choice?
23 Apr 07
Originally posted by MerkPeople have been moaning on about bad parenting for as long as I've been around. They've always been right-wingers defending the free market. This makes me conclude that parents aren't, in general, the problem, but in fact the unregulated free market.
That statement is a perfect example of todays bad parenting. We like to make our kids happy because it makes us feel good. We're selfish and letting feeling good stop is from doing what is right. At least that's how it goes in this country.
The problem is not the food companies. The problem is bad parenting.