When did we start legislating personal responsiblity?
As a parent, I feel that I am responsible for my daughter ‘s young life. This includes the kinds of foods I feed her, where and how I let her play, and what and how much she watches of the TV.
I heard on NPR’s Morning Edition this morning about a bill that is congress that is being called the “Cheese Burger” bill. This would protect the fast food industry from lawsuits that their products caused health problems (ie: Super sizing will Super size you unless you have the metabolism of a hummingbird). It was pointed out by one of the congressmen that this is a useless bill with a strong special interest group behind it. So far the courts have dismissed all lawsuits as frivolous since there is such thing as free will and personal responsibility. They may suggest Super sizing when you get your meal, but they don’t force you to super size. Now a number of fast food chains are removing the super size options and getting “healthier” items on their menu. Although some of the salads have more fats and calories than the burgers (Go figure).
I choose what Caroline is allowed to watch on TV and how much. I have a remote with an off button and I do use it. I choose what movies she sees. She likes Musicals, Kids Animation (Stitch is a big favorite), Casablanca, and anything with Puppets so far. I use The Price is Right to get her to take a nap. Apparently Bob Barker is a great sleep inducer for the younger set. But I control it. I take personal responsibility for my daughter’s viewing habits. Janet Jackson aside because that was during a family sporting event, I believe that parents have the responsibility to know what their kids are watching. And personally I think the boob was a lot more innocuous than all the crotch grabbing which the network did know about. Internet use should be regulated by parents too not the government. You hear during sweeps from your local station about all the pedophiles out on the internet seducing your children. If the parents knew what their kids were up to on the internet, these lowlifes wouldn’t have a chance. But what about the libraries, I hear the cry? What about the schools where the kids use the internet? My parents gave me very set limits as to what I could and couldn’t do or see. Outside the house I didn’t stray much from their guidelines because I knew what the rules were and also knew there would be heck to pay if they found out. Not physical, they would be disappointed with me and I hated that feeling it gave me. My parents gave me a sense of right and wrong that has served me well even today.
When I am out in public with my daughter, I take responsibility for her actions. I don’t let her grab things or people. I don’t let her destroy other people’s property. I try to keep her from turning into baby dinosaur and keep her voice modulated (not easy with a one year old). I take her to church and she is starting to recognize the behavior I expect of her there. I don’t expect others to raise my child for me. Personal Responsibility begins at home with the parents not in the schools which is a whole other rant.
I heard on NPR’s Morning Edition this morning about a bill that is congress that is being called the “Cheese Burger” bill. This would protect the fast food industry from lawsuits that their products caused health problems (ie: Super sizing will Super size you unless you have the metabolism of a hummingbird). It was pointed out by one of the congressmen that this is a useless bill with a strong special interest group behind it. So far the courts have dismissed all lawsuits as frivolous since there is such thing as free will and personal responsibility. They may suggest Super sizing when you get your meal, but they don’t force you to super size. Now a number of fast food chains are removing the super size options and getting “healthier” items on their menu. Although some of the salads have more fats and calories than the burgers (Go figure).
I choose what Caroline is allowed to watch on TV and how much. I have a remote with an off button and I do use it. I choose what movies she sees. She likes Musicals, Kids Animation (Stitch is a big favorite), Casablanca, and anything with Puppets so far. I use The Price is Right to get her to take a nap. Apparently Bob Barker is a great sleep inducer for the younger set. But I control it. I take personal responsibility for my daughter’s viewing habits. Janet Jackson aside because that was during a family sporting event, I believe that parents have the responsibility to know what their kids are watching. And personally I think the boob was a lot more innocuous than all the crotch grabbing which the network did know about. Internet use should be regulated by parents too not the government. You hear during sweeps from your local station about all the pedophiles out on the internet seducing your children. If the parents knew what their kids were up to on the internet, these lowlifes wouldn’t have a chance. But what about the libraries, I hear the cry? What about the schools where the kids use the internet? My parents gave me very set limits as to what I could and couldn’t do or see. Outside the house I didn’t stray much from their guidelines because I knew what the rules were and also knew there would be heck to pay if they found out. Not physical, they would be disappointed with me and I hated that feeling it gave me. My parents gave me a sense of right and wrong that has served me well even today.
When I am out in public with my daughter, I take responsibility for her actions. I don’t let her grab things or people. I don’t let her destroy other people’s property. I try to keep her from turning into baby dinosaur and keep her voice modulated (not easy with a one year old). I take her to church and she is starting to recognize the behavior I expect of her there. I don’t expect others to raise my child for me. Personal Responsibility begins at home with the parents not in the schools which is a whole other rant.