by Hannah Kampen

Created on: December 08, 2011

Yes, I definitely feel that the food industry should be held more socially responsible for the food they advertise, especially to children. Let me explain why I think this should be mandatory.

1 - Parents don't like to say no to their children.

Sadly enough, this is the case. 100 years ago, parents had a different way of raising their kids, and that way included saying no to almost everything. These kids did not throw fits, they accepted it and behaved. As they grew older, they swore they would give their kids what they never got - which would be admirable if only in theory. The problem is, if you had a hard life growing up, it probably turned you into a decent, respectable person who understood the value of what you worked for. It is very admirable that you want to give your kids what you never had - give a little here and there, and no one will be the wiser. But kids remember this sort of thing. They push the envelope a little more each time. The issue with giving your kids everything you never had is that they don't learn those valuable lessons you learned as a child. They get everything they want (or everything you wanted), and they always want more. They are not taught to appreciate what they have and the hard work that went into it.

2 - Fast food companies have learned that advertising to children is like sticking their hands directly into the parents' pockets.

Because of the aforementioned problem, parents want their children to be happy, rather than discipline them and tell them no. Which is understandable, I don't even like telling my kids no. But the fact is there comes a point where you have to. The earlier you start the discipline, the more likely they are to become well-respected, contributing members of society. By taking your kids to McDonald's every day, or every time they ask, you are teaching them (yes, you are giving them an example to follow) that fast food is good (otherwise why would mom give it to me?), you are showing them that it is okay to waste your money on things you do not need, you are teaching them to expect a toy with their food (if they eat happy meals), you are not teaching them discipline by going there just to please them, and you are teaching them that fast food is a good thing, especially if you go there as a reward. It is obvious from the past 50 years that parents are not going to stop taking their children to fast food places. Because of this, it becomes the social responsibility of the restaurant to watch what they

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