by Laura W

Created on: June 01, 2011

Anyone with a child who has a peanut allergy knows two things. First, We can't control what goes into their mouths when they leave our home and go off to school, daycare, or a friend's place for a sleepover or playdate. And secondly, they're kids. With child sized brains that don't always consider whether that yummy looking candy or cookie might be potentially dangerous to eat. As parents, we suffer constantly with the anxiety that someone else may not understand our child's allergy. So, as adults, I believe it is our responsibility to protect them at all costs. This includes being responsible for making sure peanut products don't come into the schools.

Peanut allergies are potentially fatal, which means a peanut can be considered a weapon.  Would a school board allow a gun or a knife in their schools? Would they offer weapons in their cafeterias as a side dish to the daily lunch specials? Why then, do they absolve themselves of any responsibility when it comes to providing foods that are safe for our children to eat? Why can't they simply ban children from bringing in any allergy producing products?

 Some private pre-schools in the states have actually banned children with peanut allergies from attending their schools because to accommodate them would be inconvenient for their kitchen staff and to other parents who want their child to bring in peanut butter sandwiches.Some parents of children feel that this ban is an infringement of their rights; that their children shouldn't have to suffer for the sake of "a few" children who may have this allergy.  That argument is absurd. When it comes down to a decision between inconveniencing one child or possibly threatening the life of another, there IS no argument

Our world has gotten very politically correct. Some complain that the needs of the few are starting to outweigh the needs of the many. However, in the case of peanut allergies, the needs of the few must be considered, because the alternative is to risk a child's death.

School boards should understand this potentially life threatening allergy and make it mandatory to keep their schools peanut-free.  Schools have promoted a Zero tolerance for violence. Children who violate this policy are expelled or suspended. Therefore, parents who ignore a peanut free ban should have their child suspended from school for the same reason. Ignoring or minimalizing this very serious condition is not only hurtful, its dangerous.

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