Monday, October 7, 2013
Leslie Kelly: 'Fat Letters' Worry Students, Parents and Experts
Some schools have started this practice in which they annually weigh-in their students and then send to the students' homes a letter telling their parents whether or not they're at a healthy weight for their age. Obesity is, of course, rampant in this country, and these schools do have good intentions and are trying to take measures to monitor their kids' health, but in my opinion they are definitely overstepping their bounds. When we find ourselves living in a society in which issues like weight don't lead to bullying and plummeting self esteems, maybe this would be an okay idea, but the fact of the matter is that constantly receiving "fat letters" after coming home for school is probably doing more harm than anticipated. I mean, can you imagine having to live this way? Some piece of paper tells you that you're not at the "normal" weight, and I'm assuming kids are being weighed-in in a rather public manner, and we all know how vicious children can get when they set their mind to it. This is going to lead to a rise in eating disorders, bullying, and self-worth issues because society loves to tell us that bigger people can't be seen as beautiful. Movies, magazines, advertisements, television are all constantly reminding us that fat people might be funny and warm and kind but never as pretty as their skinny friends. Really, these "fat letters" need to stop being sent out. Young girls in particular have enough trouble trying to navigate through this world of constant judgement they've inherited without an extra "by the way, you're not normal, do fix that." If a set of parents are truly concerned about their child's health, that should be their affair, I think. I don't know, sometimes it just seems that when schools step in they don't quite understand all the effects of their actions.
Read the article here.
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I agree with you completely. Even though the school might have the best intentions, they should attempt to reach families through effective health education and not this despicable type of humiliation.
ReplyDeleteThis will do so much more harm than good. Obesity and other weight issues are between the doctor and the patient. Leave to the school the school's job, and leave to doctor the doctor's job.
ReplyDeleteYes, the school's job is to Educate. To provide an environment where they can Educate. And to ensure that faculty staff and students are comfortable during the time set to Educate. Where in that does it say, our job is to tell kids they're fat? Obesity is an issue yes, and a very adament one, but let us not get so involved, spending money and instructional time on telling kids and their parents they are overwight. Honestly, do they think if the kid is on the wrong track, they will straighten up because of a fat letter? And besides, a parent should know their own child's state of being.
ReplyDeleteWhile I see the school had the intention to control obesity, creating a healthier environment, they are seriously underestimating the negative psychological repercussions this could have. If the school wants to educate the students on healthier life styles that's fine, but they don not have the right to enforce this system. Kids are already so fragile, a public shaming won't make matters any better.
ReplyDeleteMcKenzie Hartmann, 4th period
This is ridiculous. It is understandable that the school has good intentions, but to send out a letter telling you that you are fat is not the right was to approach this topic. In my opinion, I think every student (whether they are over weight or not) should be educated on eating healthy and living a good lifestyle. Sending out these letters so publicly will do more harm than good, I think although it is good that the schools care about the students, that there are better ways to handle the situation.
ReplyDeleteWhile I can see the intentions the school has are good, I cant say that the method of going about it is one without consequence. This could easily end up hurting a child more than encourage them to change. It may just be serving as a cruel reminder. But perhaps thats the whole point.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that it should not be the school's job to address obesity. I do believe that health and fitness are important to learn at school, but this takes the subject to another level that is very offensive. Although obesity is a major issue in our world right now, addressing the students personally will only create problems, not solve them.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not think this is such a bad idea. I see how it could humiliate the children, but I also see how it could be done in a respectful caring way. I am a very big supporter of promoting health throughout society. I believe parents should be informed about their child's weight because many are uninformed or ignorant about such health matters. They need to be aware before they can take steps to making their child healthier.
ReplyDeleteI get where you're coming from, Gloria, but...ugh it just doesn't sit well with me. Sometimes in the name of protecting kids schools can overstep their bounds, and it's too easy for something like this to lead to public shaming and self esteem issues, in my opinion. Like, if there's one kid that they're just honest to goodness worried about that much I feel like they should have a private conversation with the parents or something first. This just seems too invasive.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't believe that this is the school's job in any way, I still believe that we can't ignore the issue of obesity because of the issue of beauty. Beauty and being educated for a healthy life are two very different things.
ReplyDelete