Is it abuse

Laurie919 · Apr 14, 2008

Do you think it is abuse to allow a child to become overweight?

Now I am not talking about children with health problems. I am just refering to kids who are allowed to eat anything they want and aren't encouraged to get outside and work it off.

heart of peace · Apr 14, 2008

I would not consider it abuse as abuse is normally defined as being treated harmfully. I would consider it a possible form of neglect and/or irresponsibility though only if I knew all the facts of a situation and omitted any health issues.

I also would never dare form an opinion about someone just based on the weight of a person or their child. I think anyone who does do that has serious issues with judgment and needs to work on looking at themself and what their flaws as a parent may be.

Green Orchid · Apr 14, 2008

Not abuse, just not the best parenting.

lucypevensie · Apr 14, 2008

I don't know if I'd call it full-out abuse, at least not in all cases. It's not quite in the same realm as the parents we hear about who lock the kids in dog kennels for 24 hours while they go and get high at parties.

I think that sometimes the parents of overweight kids do not fully understand the seriousness of the situation. Some parents do not see the child as obese, but rather cutely chubby, a bit clueless perhaps. I do not consider this child abuse. I am sure my parenting could be picked apart and found lacking in some ways, some things I don't realize I am doing wrong. In that case I'd prefer to be gently instructed rather than accused of abusing my child.

DestinationHome · Apr 14, 2008

I think that it can be in some cases. It's too complex for me to say "yes" or "no", though.

Christdefinesme · Apr 14, 2008

You know, it could be viewed on the opposite end, too, "is it abuse to force your kids to go out and run".

It's most definitely not abuse (which is intentional harm), what you have described in the o.p., may be a tad neglectful (and what parent isn't guilty of overlooking or accidentally neglecting areas of ours or our kids lives????), but not abuse.

We are not perfect people, and all have different priorities. We can't do it all perfectly.

Otherwise, I would have been considered an abused child growing up, and I was not. My parents just happened to neglect that part of my life, but they weren't trying to harm me in any way, they just didn't catch it.

MyaShane · Apr 14, 2008

I wouldnt consider it abuse but setting poor nutritional habits since statistically speaking most overweight children have parents who are overweight themselves.

But there are also other outside factors to consider, such as sending $2 with my kids to school for a hot lunch that they instead blow on a bag of Doritos, a Twinkie, and a Coke and like the many times I went to my best friends after school and we went hog wild eating all kinds of garbage. So, even if you establish great eating habits with your kids there can be circumstances where theyre making poor choices themselves that can contribute to them becoming overweight.

Leanna · Apr 14, 2008

Green Orchid said:
Not abuse, just not the best parenting.

I agree.

I wish I had a twinkie now though....

£amb · Apr 14, 2008

I would just call it improper nutrition. The parents themselves may not eat healthy so they just pass on their eating patterns to their own children and not think twice about it. That's the way it was in my household growing up, but the word "abuse" gets overused nowadays. I wouldn't even think twice about it being abusive...just poor judgement on what a child should be eating. Just my two cents...

Singin4Him · Apr 14, 2008

I watched my Aunt feed my cousins fast food and junk at nearly every meal... if not every meal and those children were not only unhealthy and overweight they also had many behavioral problems there were of course diagnosed as ADD and then put on meds which altered them to zombies. Also they are now overweight teenagers battling low self worth and all the issues that come with that. I don't think it's just about being overweight but all that comes with it. Not only do they become overweight but because of a poor diet many end up like my cousins with misdiagnosed behavioral problems and on meds, and then of course the emotional issues that come with all that. So yes, I think in a sense it is abuse when parents neglect to do their best to keep their children physically and emotionally healthy.

Laurie919 · Apr 14, 2008

Abuse may not be the right word. I agree it is neglectful. I also agree with S4H that it does cause emotional problems because of the abuse from other children.

I just think it is horrible to see a 10 year old that can't catch her breath after walking.

Taylor has a friend that wears the same size I do. She eats for comfort that upsets me. Her mom doesn't make her do anything, I had talked to her about walking with me in the afternoons to help her get ready for ball season. Her mom won't let her.

Green Orchid · Apr 14, 2008

Leanna said:
I agree.

I wish I had a twinkie now though....

Eww , you really are pregnant!

Is it abuse

Is it abuse to allow a child to be overweight?

Yes

No

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