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Is It Wrong For MacDonalds To Advertise Happy Meals

dawny0826

Mother Heathen
I am going to riducule her "parenting" skills because parenting means telling your child "no" when it comes to such issues, especially those that pertain to health. We don't need laws telling us what to feed our children, we need parents to be parents in order to fix the childhood obesity epidemic.

Thank you! :clap
 

Primordial Annihilator

Well-Known Member
Here are some interesting notes about the case:

1) The mother involved, Monet Parham, is actually Monet Parham-Lee who works for the State of California's Department of Public Health and was an activist for Champions of Change. When CSPI approached her she wasn't just a simple entry level employee either. She is the Regional Program Manager.

2) CSPI admits to knowledge that McDonalds is not the only fast food chain that offers toys. They have stated that they talked to Burger King and others and that they will not include the other restaurants in the lawsuit. Not because the other fast food chains are making any sort of concession but only because McDonald's is deemed the largest. Which leads to:

3) A supposed class action lawsuit, with Monet Parham-Lee claiming to represent all mothers in the United States whose child annoys the hell out of them, against only one fast food chain because apparently Happy Meal Toys are so enticing.

And never mind the fact you can buy a Happy Meal toy with the Happy Meal.

Ta - da!

No case.

Perhaps someone will run the stupid female over...

End of problem.
 

dust1n

Zindīq
This lady doesn't deserve anything in particular, but I think you guys are seriously undermining the possible consequences of allowing people to advertise to kids. This case shouldn't be won, it should just be illegal to target children under 15 for any product what so ever. For the first years of a child's life, television watching in general stunts developmental growth.

[youtube]WMDPql6rweo[/youtube]
YouTube - the corporation - advertisements targeting children
 

dust1n

Zindīq
I am going to riducule her "parenting" skills because parenting means telling your child "no" when it comes to such issues, especially those that pertain to health. We don't need laws telling us what to feed our children, we need parents to be parents in order to fix the childhood obesity epidemic.


We don't need laws telling us what to feed our children, but we have a whole slew of them telling us what NOT to feed our children or ourselves for that matter. Imagine if McDonald's existed with century old food laws. There is a reason the FDA exists you know.
 

The Bright Beast

*Insert Witty Title Here*
I'm not a parent, being only 16, so I don't really have any experience in the matter, but I agree strongly with what Kathryn is saying. (And her parenting methods. Shame about the waste of money on the kitchen set and cookies though, but I guess it saves in the long run.)

Back on topic, it's just a case of saying 'No' and not letting your children walk over you. I know I get frustrated when I see younger children totally domineering their parents/guardians - they deserve respect, not abuse! your parents/guardians brought you into the world and raised you! There's no need to sue because you are unable to raise your children properly! When I was young(er), I got 1, maybe 2 mcdonalds a year. I appreciated them so much more than someone who got them every week would. My mother knew, and still knows how to say no.

TL;DR:

Good parenting: setting boundaries, being able to control your children
Bad parenting: suing and protesting because you cannot be bothered to raise your children properly.
 

dust1n

Zindīq
Ok, you know that if your child watches commercials, than the chances of them nagging are going to be severely increased. Why should the public not be able to utilize television for 6-12 year old in ways in which they would not be manipulated by private interests? Would you rather just have your kid not seduced by a company to pester you about their product as opposed to having to constantly reaffirm control? If this is happening to 60% of parents, and it is effecting their kids negatively, wouldn't it be more reasonable to cap what individual companies can do by means of legislation than just passively wait for parents to 'take responsibility' when the kids will suffer the effects regardless?
 

darkendless

Guardian of Asgaard
Is it wrong?

California mom sues McDonald's over Happy Meals - Yahoo!7



Personally i don't think so. They do have a point about the cognitive stage of children, but ultimately it is the parents who feed the kids Maccas.

Mind you i don't have kids so i'm not too sure.

But from my own personal experience when i was growing up we had maccas maybe once or twice a year and there was plenty of advertising.

And you know what, i don't remember ever being that upset that i couldn't have it.

What do you guys think?

-Q

All in moderation is the saying isn't it? Control your diet and the diet of your kids and their health will not be of concern. Eat too much of anything unhealthy and they're doomed.

McDonalds is a business, they want to sell happy meals. It is not their fault if people cannot manage their diet appropriately.
 

Kathryn

It was on fire when I laid down on it.
Ok, you know that if your child watches commercials, than the chances of them nagging are going to be severely increased. Why should the public not be able to utilize television for 6-12 year old in ways in which they would not be manipulated by private interests? Would you rather just have your kid not seduced by a company to pester you about their product as opposed to having to constantly reaffirm control? If this is happening to 60% of parents, and it is effecting their kids negatively, wouldn't it be more reasonable to cap what individual companies can do by means of legislation than just passively wait for parents to 'take responsibility' when the kids will suffer the effects regardless?

It might be an even better idea for parents to LIMIT THE NUMBER OF HOURS that they let their kids watch TV. If they simply MUST have it on, parents can invest in good movies and shows rather than simply letting their kids sit slack jawed in front of the boob tube for hours on end every day.

When I was a kid (and yes, we had tv back then!) my parents, who were sort of hippie types anyway, didn't even BUY a tv till I was probably nine years old. Then we were only allowed to watch it on Saturday mornings, and then as a family for special programs. That was it.

To this day, I'm not a big fan of television. Highly overrated at BEST. Most of what's on is pure crap.
 

The Neo Nerd

Well-Known Member
If you must let them watch tv make them watch the national geographic channel or the history channel.

perhaps then they'll learn something.

-Q
 

dust1n

Zindīq
It might be an even better idea for parents to LIMIT THE NUMBER OF HOURS that they let their kids watch TV. If they simply MUST have it on, parents can invest in good movies and shows rather than simply letting their kids sit slack jawed in front of the boob tube for hours on end every day.

When I was a kid (and yes, we had tv back then!) my parents, who were sort of hippie types anyway, didn't even BUY a tv till I was probably nine years old. Then we were only allowed to watch it on Saturday mornings, and then as a family for special programs. That was it.

To this day, I'm not a big fan of television. Highly overrated at BEST. Most of what's on is pure crap.

Let me rephrase the question: Would you prefer there to be 50 million people who have been exposed to highly technical commercials as children in their highly developmental and absorbent minds and then reside in this country or would you prefer legislation that at least somewhat limits what can be used to target towards children? Why does it matter anyways, for you? 50 million parents aren't going to just turn the TV off, so do you want kids to be somewhat protected from predatory advertising or do you want the 50 million people who have been exposed to it?
 

dallas1125

Covert Operative
Let me rephrase the question: Would you prefer there to be 50 million people who have been exposed to highly technical commercials as children in their highly developmental and absorbent minds and then reside in this country or would you prefer legislation that at least somewhat limits what can be used to target towards children? Why does it matter anyways, for you? 50 million parents aren't going to just turn the TV off, so do you want kids to be somewhat protected from predatory advertising or do you want the 50 million people who have been exposed to it?
Its a free country, the government should not get involved in forcing you to raise your kids. Let those 50 million be exposed to it.
 

dust1n

Zindīq
Its a free country, the government should not get involved in forcing you to raise your kids. Let those 50 million be exposed to it.

:facepalm: The government would not get involved in forcing you raise your kids, it would be getting involved with very wealthy corporations who pour billion dollars to get your kid to nag you until you purchase their product. And how is it fair to the kids because their 50 million parents won't turn the TV off, which isn't even an economic feasibility.
 

dallas1125

Covert Operative
:facepalm: The government would not get involved in forcing you raise your kids, it would be getting involved with very wealthy corporations who pour billion dollars to get your kid to nag you until you purchase their product. And how is it fair to the kids because their 50 million parents won't turn the TV off, which isn't even an economic feasibility.
Not turn off: limit. Even if the commercials cause children to nag parents it wont do anything as long as the parent says no.

Im only 18 but as a child if I whined about not getting a happy meal I got punished. If parents are not ready to do what it takes to raise children, then they are not ready to be parents.
 

dust1n

Zindīq
Not turn off: limit. Even if the commercials cause children to nag parents it wont do anything as long as the parent says no.

...ok. So, you prefer to cause the children to nag and have to repeatedly tell them no and no over and over?

Im only 18 but as a child if I whined about not getting a happy meal I got punished. If parents are not ready to do what it takes to raise children, then they are not ready to be parents.

That's strange, because television commercials have only been around for the past 80 years. So, it's kinda of a new issue.

Ok, imagine this.

"If parents are not ready to do what it takes to raise children, then they are not ready to be parents." And it was like that for millions of years and then all of the sudden million dollar TV commercials are aimed at your children.
 

dallas1125

Covert Operative
...ok. So, you prefer to cause the children to nag and have to repeatedly tell them no and no over and over?
If they are nagging repeatedly, punish them. Worked on me and my 5 siblings. Works for my aunts and uncles.

That's strange, because television commercials have only been around for the past 80 years. So, it's kinda of a new issue.
Yes it is a new issue.

Ok, imagine this.

"If parents are not ready to do what it takes to raise children, then they are not ready to be parents." And it was like that for millions of years and then all of the sudden million dollar TV commercials are aimed at your children.
Im failing to see your point.

It was like this all the time: "If parents are not ready to do what it takes to raise children, then they are not ready to be parents."

So what does the TV commercials have to do with it?
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
MY GOSH - JUST SAY NO TO HAPPY MEALS. Does this require some sort of government intervention????
Apparently it's ok if they waste our money on a PSA telling people about just how "horrible" pot is, but making a PSA to encourage parents to say "no" to a happy meal and urging them to learn just the basics about nutrition is just out of the question.
 

Kathryn

It was on fire when I laid down on it.
Apparently it's ok if they waste our money on a PSA telling people about just how "horrible" pot is, but making a PSA to encourage parents to say "no" to a happy meal and urging them to learn just the basics about nutrition is just out of the question.

Maybe if our government officials would smoke more weed and eat less fast food, we'd all be happier and healthier.
 
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