Is it abusive to feed a child meat?
May 1st, 2008 by Treena ShapiroThe People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals think so and advertised as much in a poster that ranked among the 10 most controversial ads in the United Kingdom last year, according to BBC News Magazine.
Ironically, the article came out the day after my pets vs. protein musings, so I had to look.
Here’s the ad, as reprinted on the BBC News website:
PETA ad, via BBC News
According to the article (which is worth reading to see all the “offensive” ads), the Advertising Standards Authority received 68 complaints about this ad:
” ‘Feeding kids meat is child abuse,’ ” stated the poster in question and featured a close-up image of a child eating a burger.
“Complaints argued it was irresponsible as it encourage parents to withdraw meat from their child’s diet without replacing the nutrients it provides.
“People also complained that it trivialised child abuse, was offensive and distressing to parents who fed their children meat and misleadingly implied that eating meat could lead to obesity.
“The message was ‘anti-meat’ said the ASA, but parents were likely to understand that if you withdraw a food from a child’s diet the nutrients that food provides should be replaced.
It accepted some might find the wording of the ad inappropriate but decided it did not trivialise child abuse or mislead consumers.”
— “AD BREAKDOWN: The Magazine’s review of advertising,” April 30, 2008, BBC News Magazine
May 1st, 2008 at 7:32 am
Nice tie in with your previous blog, Tree!
PETA has always been extreme and controversial. I can see where this ad can make parents feel guilty and uncomfortable. I don’t appreciate the messages PETA puts out. They are the offensive, “take no prisoners” type of group.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:43 am
i’m all for protecting the environment, animals, and any other human interest groups, but hate the tactics of making me feel guilty for my choices. the fact is some meat is necessary protein humans need. not to say we should each consume 2 chickens and a cow every other week. let your kids eat their chicken nuggets…it makes them and you happy! lol!
May 1st, 2008 at 7:55 am
i think PETA reads your blogs Tree! i think children should eat meat at least so it will help them grow properly. it’s not like you have to feed them a ribeye or slab of ribs every night but i’m sure the nutritional values in meats aren’t “made up for” by feeding them tofu or more eggs instead. saying that feeding kids meat is child abuse is like saying letting kids play outside is child abuse since they might fall down and sustain some bodily injury…ridiculous! hmm…if everyone gave up eating meat i wonder what would happen to the chicken/pig/cow population…
May 1st, 2008 at 9:43 am
No no no, a child needs protein to grow. Try feeding plain tofu to a child. I think it’s just a matter of giving your child a balanced diet. A good mix of fruits, veggies, protein and a cheater snack here and there are fine. BTW, I hope all these PETA people are Vegan vegitarians.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 am
screw peta!!
that group is a bunch of criminals who commit various crimes which usually end up not helping the animal(s) directly involved. they are guilty of walking into supermarkets and putting offensive labels on meats pkgs, throwing paint on ppl who wear furs, leather coats, ect, and lets not forget the many arrest for criminal property damage and trespassing. peta is about as close to being a domestic terrorist group as you can get.
also lets not forget the hipocrisy, about 10 yrs ago the wife of the pres of peta was diagnosed w/ a diseased which would cost her life unless she recieved treatment from a vacine that derived from the animal experiment in med research labs that the group has been protesting alot. she accepted the med and got better then they gave a bull crap reasoning as to why its ok. i would have had more respect for peta if they lived or died for what they really believe in but i guess this shows how truly dedicated these clowns really are…
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Ask your dentists — how our teeth are formed dictates, NOT “implies,” that we are carnivores. That’s all you need to know despite any study. Just that one sentence.
Eating certain processed beef from certain establishments (and the best hamburger is made at home, methinks) is a different thing, but, in terms of feeding your kid(s) meat? It’s no question — they should be eating meat.
Ever since certain brand/pop “behavior correcting drugs” (which is something I DON’T think kids should be on) arrived on the market, I’ve been VEEEEERRRY wary of what the media and the medical establishment says about how you should handle your kids.
You got kids? I don’t, but, I’m gonna preach — 1) take an interest/show your kids that homework and studying is important; 2) let ‘em play . . . outside as well as inside (PS, etc.); 3) feed them fruit and three squares; 4) yell at ‘em only if you have to, and then don’t put on airs when you do; 5) tell them that you love ‘em every day.
See? Any inkling of “drugs” or “don’t eat meat” in those suggestions? No.
Take ‘em see “Iron Man” this weekend, too, cripes, they deserve a break sometimes (unless they never when do their homework yet).
That’s all.
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