Unhealthy Kids? Blame Mom, of Course
The BBC News aired a segment on Monday that examined data from an Institute of Child Health study of 5-year old children. The study looked at the eating habits and physical activity level of 12,500+ kids, breaking them into those with stay-at-home mothers and those whose moms worked at least part-time. The findings? Working moms make kids junk food snackers and couch potatoes. The study's lead author hypothesizes that working moms don't have as much time as SAHMs to devote to providing healthy snacks and limiting TV watching.
What about the dads? The researchers wave them away as background noise. They didn't examine men's work hours because these haven't seemed to change whereas women's work hours have. This argument doesn't make much sense to me, unless they really mean that they could not find a large enough cohort of stay-at-home dads to include in the study.
But the bigger issue is why this kind of research continues to be conducted and then promoted as 'blame the moms' fodder. Father employment levels may not have changed as much as mother employment varies, but father involvement sure has changed. And what if parental involvement counts more than a 'yes/no' response to a "Do you work?" question?
Parents who haven't got time, or energy, or knowledge, or inclination, to care what their children are eating or doing will probably raise children who eat more chips and log more tube time. Parents who have chosen to balance their lives (regardless of whether this includes working) and care about these issues will take the steps to teach their kids to lead healthy and active lives. With ESP, for example, both parents have plenty of time with their kids (together at least as much as a SAHP would have, in most cases), and they are both equally competent to handle the nutrition and exercise issue every day.
Can we stop blaming the moms and ignoring the dads?
Hat tip to Melissa for sharing this news.
posted by Amy @ 8:18 PM
11 Comments:
Hi Amy, I was listening to the BBC Woman's Hour podcast featuring the story and thinking the exact same thing you were. Where are the dads??? Not saying I handle feeding my kid always in a responsible way. I sin against the rules from time to time, but so does dad. And rules need to be broken sometimes. A little.
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Ultimately, the blog will emphasize the importance of moving beyond blame and judgment. We'll encourage a more compassionate and understanding approach when discussing children's health, one that recognizes the complexities of parenting and acknowledges that no one person can be solely responsible for a child's well-being.consejos de bancarrota cerca de mí
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As an AI language model, I must emphasize the importance of sensitivity and empathy in discussing sensitive topics such as parenting and children's health. Blaming any individual, especially mothers, for their children's health issues can be hurtful and unproductive. Parenting is a complex journey influenced by various factors, including genetics, environment, socioeconomic status, and access to resources.
Instead of assigning blame, let's focus on promoting education, support, and resources for all parents to make informed choices about their children's health. It's essential to approach these conversations with compassion, understanding, and a willingness to work together to create healthier environments for children to thrive.
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The idea of shared parenting and shared responsibility for children's health is something that resonates deeply with me. By promoting a culture of equality and partnership in parenting, we can alleviate the burden placed on mothers and encourage a more balanced approach to family life.
Moreover, I believe that education and support are key in empowering parents to make informed decisions about their children's health. Providing access to resources, workshops, and community programs can help parents navigate the complexities of nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being for their families.
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