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News & ArtsSaturday, June 20, 2009
Chow The Cupcake Wars
Posted by Dan Savage on Sat, Jun 20, 2009 at 11:02 AM
As a parent... ahem... I don't have a problem with birthday cupcakes in classrooms or the occasional class pizza party. But...
Cupcakes and/or pizzas are treat enough. What drives me up the wall are the inevitable bottles of soda pop and/or boxes of brightly colored corn syrup (a.k.a. "juice") that get served with the cupcakes and/or pizzas. The kids are excited about the pizza and/or cupcakes. They won't miss the pop and/or "juice" if it isn't set out in front of them. It's possible to serve kids non-fat milk or even—oh, the humanity!—water with cupcakes and/or pizza. They won't riot.
1
gotta agree with you on that one. or at least serve the kids the sugar cane soda from trader joe's or the sugar cane Coke from Costco.
3
I agree with what Dan said. But for the love of god, DO NOT listen to MeMe Roth. She is projecting her own problems with food onto her children (and other children with her "fight against obesity"). Kids should learn that no food is "forbidden", and it is just best to ENJOY everything in moderation.
4
I agree with you. Working in child care, sometimes it's really difficult to get my co-workers to think about the consequences of the food we're offering.
A lot of people think that it's too early to be worrying about a child's weight, and that worrying about eating healthy will give them issues, but not doing anything is horrendous.
I was a fat kid thanks to the 8 (EIGHT!) Pepsi's I drank each day. Our school had shitty tap water, and it still to this day doesn't make sense to spend 1.00 on bottled water when there's a soda next to it.
Took me college and anorexia to get my shit fixed, and it freaks me out that we're still feeding our kids this crap.
A lot of people think that it's too early to be worrying about a child's weight, and that worrying about eating healthy will give them issues, but not doing anything is horrendous.
I was a fat kid thanks to the 8 (EIGHT!) Pepsi's I drank each day. Our school had shitty tap water, and it still to this day doesn't make sense to spend 1.00 on bottled water when there's a soda next to it.
Took me college and anorexia to get my shit fixed, and it freaks me out that we're still feeding our kids this crap.
5
Wow.
I guess it's good you're at least *trying* with the non-gay issues, but so this is what ya got? Wow. ...Or maybe when you take out the gay rights activism, there's nothing left? Here's to hoping that's not the case.
I guess it's good you're at least *trying* with the non-gay issues, but so this is what ya got? Wow. ...Or maybe when you take out the gay rights activism, there's nothing left? Here's to hoping that's not the case.
6
Outside of the cupcake parties, which are just fine with me, there's a lot of candy and cookies and popsicles handed out at school...snacks, treats, rewards for good behavior...and I really have a problem with this because I feel the school is undermining my family policy avout the frequency of treats, also because I don't want my kids to turn into puffy people, like a lot of their friends have.
7
Gotta agree with Dan on this.
@2 the problem is that so many people DO NOT set reasonable limits for their own kids, which makes it a lot harder on those of us who want to, say, let our kids enjoy a cupcake, but not a cupcake, a soda, a fistful of candy and . . . etc. It's always harder to go against the flow of the prevailing culture.
@2 the problem is that so many people DO NOT set reasonable limits for their own kids, which makes it a lot harder on those of us who want to, say, let our kids enjoy a cupcake, but not a cupcake, a soda, a fistful of candy and . . . etc. It's always harder to go against the flow of the prevailing culture.
9
There's nothing wrong with water, non-fat milk, or another drink that isn't loaded with high-fructose corn syrup being offered along side the food 'treat'.
Also, it isn't just the pizza, cupcake, cookies, or other food goodie that is the real treat - it is the break in the schedule that is the most rewarding part of the treat for the kids. Having some time to have a 'party' in the middle of lesson time.
Maybe some parents should try sending a fruit or veggie platter instead (if they're worried about the healthiness of the foods offered for celebrations) - but the drinks seem to be far more problematic, most kids will get 'called out' for being 'pigs' if they take too much of the food, but no one seems to think twice about a kid drinking cup-after-cup or can-after-can of soda or corn syrup loaded 'juice'.
Also, it isn't just the pizza, cupcake, cookies, or other food goodie that is the real treat - it is the break in the schedule that is the most rewarding part of the treat for the kids. Having some time to have a 'party' in the middle of lesson time.
Maybe some parents should try sending a fruit or veggie platter instead (if they're worried about the healthiness of the foods offered for celebrations) - but the drinks seem to be far more problematic, most kids will get 'called out' for being 'pigs' if they take too much of the food, but no one seems to think twice about a kid drinking cup-after-cup or can-after-can of soda or corn syrup loaded 'juice'.
10
Why is HFCS so much worse than sugar? Both are gonna make your kids into fatto blobs. HFCS is just going to do it on the cheap.
11
But I thought the whole point of sending kids to school was to immerse them in mainstream culture so they can learn the indispensable social skills that come from feeling like the only kid in the room who doesn't wear $200 shoes and drink soft drinks and juice? I mean, is the purpose of school to prove that we're all the same or to prove that we're all different?
12
Why does the whole class get cupcakes on every kid's birthday? When I was a kid the only time we got cake in school was when the principal retired and we all got a 1" by 1" square of white cake. Every parent thinks their child is so special that the class gets disrupted to celebrate them? I really can't stand parents these days.
Do those kids also get a birthday cake after dinner too? That's a lot of cake!
Do those kids also get a birthday cake after dinner too? That's a lot of cake!
14
@10: It has to do with HFCS being sweeter - thus making people use more and more sweeteners to try to obtain the same level of sweetness (thus taking in more calories).
Also the way that the body metabolizes HFCS is different than the way that it deals with natural 'simple' sugars.
Also the way that the body metabolizes HFCS is different than the way that it deals with natural 'simple' sugars.
15
I used to bring salad to school parties when I was a kid because "nobody ever brings non sweet stuff!!"
17
There's a time for healthy eating habits and a party is not that time. Besides, fat people die earlier and are less a burden on our heathcare system, so show some proper respect for those patriots. I kid, but it's true though. XD
18
I'm grateful we are in a district that doesn't allow bottles of soda pop to be sold. Classroom parties were 100% juice or water only. Never fear, because the cupcakes, heavily frosted sugar cookies, pizza, and the rare ice cream bars made it feel like a party.
19
Dan's right. Parents seem to think its a sin to present a healthier way to eat, and to show respect for those parents (in the majority where I live) that don't want their kids living on crap, or even being exposed to it when it's not actually necessary. I've had parents CHEW ME OUT for not letting my stepdaughter watch TV, or drink soda.
In CA, it is illegal for teachers to use food as incentives, which makes class time harder, but ultimately makes the kids less lazy, because they're not holding out for candy.
But yes, Meme Roth is an idiot. She's Ann Coulter with a different thesis.
In CA, it is illegal for teachers to use food as incentives, which makes class time harder, but ultimately makes the kids less lazy, because they're not holding out for candy.
But yes, Meme Roth is an idiot. She's Ann Coulter with a different thesis.
21
Okay, so my district has a policy against foods with Minimal Nutritional Value--and when I implemented it the parents screamed bloody murder. I tried to compromise (one small snack) and one parent brought a Costco muffin, a fruit roll up thingy and a huge juice box for each child (oh, and don't forget the bag of candy to take home). My new policy is students plan the class party and I approve the menu--popsicles, fruit or granola bars--period, end of story. No drinks, the kids keep their own supply of bottled water on their desk. The kids love being in charge and the parents have less opportunity to mess it up:)
22
There are so many healthy and delicious alternatives. I
don't understand why they still fill the kids with garbage. Plus, there's the little issue of their teeth. All that crap just is not good. Maybe at the next PTA it would be a good idea to bring it up.
don't understand why they still fill the kids with garbage. Plus, there's the little issue of their teeth. All that crap just is not good. Maybe at the next PTA it would be a good idea to bring it up.
23
My aunt is a PE teacher, who has nationally recognized for the healthy eating and exercise initiatives in her school (she was named the elementary physical education Teacher of the Year a couple of years ago). Her attitude seems to be that the only chance that many kids have to learn healthy eating and exercise habits is at school, because they are not learning it at home. Her school eliminated soda machines and sweet treats like cupcakes for birthdays, and has been working to make lunch options healthier.
While it is important not to make cupcakes/candy be "forbidden fruit", I also think it's important that kids have a solid understanding of what healthy eating looks like.
Anyways, it's not like the school is saying you can't ever feed your kids cupcakes, just that they're not going to get them here. If you want to feed your kids cupcakes and candy at home, that's fine.
While it is important not to make cupcakes/candy be "forbidden fruit", I also think it's important that kids have a solid understanding of what healthy eating looks like.
Anyways, it's not like the school is saying you can't ever feed your kids cupcakes, just that they're not going to get them here. If you want to feed your kids cupcakes and candy at home, that's fine.
24
"There are so many healthy and delicious alternatives. I
don't understand why they still fill the kids with garbage."
Price, stability, convenience, stability after being left out in room temperature for so long (lkids/teachers don't often have access to fridges), and universality. Plenty of parents are shitty at exposing their kids to new foods.
don't understand why they still fill the kids with garbage."
Price, stability, convenience, stability after being left out in room temperature for so long (lkids/teachers don't often have access to fridges), and universality. Plenty of parents are shitty at exposing their kids to new foods.
25
@14 If HFCS was sweeter, wouldn't you use less of it to achieve the same level of sweetness?
The problem with HFCS is that its cheap so that food can be really loaded up with it and still cost less than something made with cane sugar. You should moderate the Jones Sugar Cola just as much.
When my son went on a field trip the school was prepared to offer one type of drink: soda. Believe it or not, many Dairy Queens and Sonics (do you have those in the north west?) will not offer just plain milk as a beverage.
The problem with HFCS is that its cheap so that food can be really loaded up with it and still cost less than something made with cane sugar. You should moderate the Jones Sugar Cola just as much.
When my son went on a field trip the school was prepared to offer one type of drink: soda. Believe it or not, many Dairy Queens and Sonics (do you have those in the north west?) will not offer just plain milk as a beverage.
26
I absolutely agree with that.
I also find it distressing that the post-game "snacks" so many parents bring to soccer or baseball games are so sugary. These are young athletes who just finished a game - shouldn't we feed them healthy food?
And... it is much more challenging to ask my child not to eat the Rice Crispies Treat or drink the fake-juice-box when the other ten children are having them. When it is my turn to bring the snack I do my best to choose healthy, sugar-free, and still palatable snacks.
I also find it distressing that the post-game "snacks" so many parents bring to soccer or baseball games are so sugary. These are young athletes who just finished a game - shouldn't we feed them healthy food?
And... it is much more challenging to ask my child not to eat the Rice Crispies Treat or drink the fake-juice-box when the other ten children are having them. When it is my turn to bring the snack I do my best to choose healthy, sugar-free, and still palatable snacks.
27
Meme Roth's approach is too extreme and seems like it could do more long-term damage vs. moderation and teaching children to make healthful choices.
Yet I am with you when it comes to soda. Kids don't even really need that stuff. It does a number on their teeth and there really isn't any nutritional value to soda. Milk, 100% juice or water would satisfy the kids. (worked for us when I was in school, not to mention it balances out the sweetness of the cupcakes.)
And other commenters are right that sometimes school is the one place where good nutritional habits can be modeled/taught and that means offering a variety of things to eat when there is a special occasion. Some fruit/veg along with the cupcake.
Sometimes it means handing out the ranch dressing/dipping sauces to get the kids to eat carrots and broccoli and there is no real harm in that.
Yet I am with you when it comes to soda. Kids don't even really need that stuff. It does a number on their teeth and there really isn't any nutritional value to soda. Milk, 100% juice or water would satisfy the kids. (worked for us when I was in school, not to mention it balances out the sweetness of the cupcakes.)
And other commenters are right that sometimes school is the one place where good nutritional habits can be modeled/taught and that means offering a variety of things to eat when there is a special occasion. Some fruit/veg along with the cupcake.
Sometimes it means handing out the ranch dressing/dipping sauces to get the kids to eat carrots and broccoli and there is no real harm in that.
32
We had cupcakes for birthdays and bake sales, but I don't recall anyone being fat. I think the key to that was we weren't served soda or juice. If you drank a glass of juice, it was from one of those tiny glasses and only at breakfast time. Seriously, juice isn't that much better than soda nowadays.
33
when my son was a baby I heard someone say that when they started giving their two older children a sippy cup, they always put juice in it...now that the kids are older, all they want to drink is juice. when her third kid came along she only ever put water in that kid's sippy cup, now that kid only drinks water.
my son gets water about 80% of the time in his sippy cup and watered down juice the rest of the time and he's fine, no fights over juice and other too sweet drinks. I've seen a lot of other parents have big fights with their kids once they realize how much sugar is in juice and want to cut back on it. huge pain in the ass.
my son gets water about 80% of the time in his sippy cup and watered down juice the rest of the time and he's fine, no fights over juice and other too sweet drinks. I've seen a lot of other parents have big fights with their kids once they realize how much sugar is in juice and want to cut back on it. huge pain in the ass.
35
My 19 month old only drinks water or whole milk (she actually hates juice and my MD does too), so drinks are thankfully not a problem for us yet. When I was in grade school we had homemade cupcakes or cake for birthdays, but I don't think we had anything to drink. In addition, my mom's food policy was always very clear: we got healthy snacks (apples, carrots, etc) and OJ with our lunchtime sandwiches except on Fridays, when we could take a "special" snack (fruit rollup, dunkaroos, etc). We also were not allowed sugary cereal except on our birthday when we could pick out one (and we made that cereal last as long as possible). As a result, I never saw bad foods as a forbidden fruit, but rather as something to be eaten only occasionaly, which actually made them that much better. The parents who load their kids up on the bad for you stuff are (in my experience) either uneducated in nutrition or afraid to say no to their kids. Either way, not good.
36
At my kid's preschool end-of-year party (preschool=4&5-year-olds), the teachers served: ice cream, flavored sugar-water, chocolate milk, then the pizzas arrived and into everyone's backpacks they put a processed strawberry shortcake roll and a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips.
MY GOD. AND - this was all before 10:30 AM. What the hell???
MY GOD. AND - this was all before 10:30 AM. What the hell???
37
One of the reasons the other parents yell at people like you, Dan, and me, is because we're showing them an option they could take, but refuse to. The no-soda, no-TV route (with rare-but-guilt-free candy and rare-but-guilt-free videos) has turned my 14-year-old into a creative, willowy, beautiful teen who feels just fine about her body and her brain. Have YOU ever met a 14-year-old girl with a healthy sense of self?
40
Totally agree with you about the sugar drinks, but I'm with the last commenter- skim milk is gross. Besides, kids need more fat than adults do, so whole milk is actually the healthier choice for them.
41
Um, cow's milk is a sugar drink. Lactose, fructose, sucrose... it's all sugar, except most kids and adults can't digest lactose as easily (blame your kids' bathroom issues on the dairy). The difference is that non-skim milk has fat, too. It's like pouring vegetable oil in your soda, but without the omega-3's.
43
@41: But the fat slows down the metabolism of the sugar and prevents a huge surge in ... nevermind. Food is bad.
44
Shit, I could only wish my parents had moderated my soda intake and taught me about a little thing called exercise. Instead, they gave me cheap crap to eat ( I grew up on white bread, fake cheese, soda, frozen dinners, etc) and never supported me in any sports activity I wanted to do. And the thing is... it never gets easier, especially when you're poor!
45
The slow increase in portion size makes everything blurry.
As a kid it would take over a day to drink an entire 16oz glass bottle of pop. When I went home for lunch on school days I'd pour about 10oz of pop. Nowadays, drinking just 10oz of pop seems bizarre.
As a kid it would take over a day to drink an entire 16oz glass bottle of pop. When I went home for lunch on school days I'd pour about 10oz of pop. Nowadays, drinking just 10oz of pop seems bizarre.
46
I'm thanking my lucky stars I wasn't raised on junk food, because today all the stuff that has HFCS tastes like crap to me. If there is a god, and he's the Judeo-Christian god (and therefore sends me to hell), my Hell will be filled with those cupcakes with like 3 inches of rainbow-colored frosting that's so sugary it makes your throat tingle. And fast food and mountain dew. Yuck.
I think a lot of it has to do with how often you're willing to cook your food from scratch. Most homemade stuff is going to be better than frozen dinners or hamburger helper. Being raised in a family where everyone had a love for cooking really helped my health, I think.
Not that I don't have some indulgences that aren't so good for me: any sort of cured meat, cheeses, whiskey, coffee, fried okra, doughnuts, and on and on. But when your everyday diet isn't made up of processed crap, the occasional health hazard isn't so hazardous. And stuff that's REALLY despicable, like grape soda, just never appeals to you.
So Dan, I'd worry a little less about what DJ has at birthday parties as long as his regular diet is as home-cooked as you have time for, and as long as you screen for foods with healthier ingredients. Then you won't need to worry about all the koolaid and soda at these parties, because he'll view them as nothing but carbonated laxatives.
I think a lot of it has to do with how often you're willing to cook your food from scratch. Most homemade stuff is going to be better than frozen dinners or hamburger helper. Being raised in a family where everyone had a love for cooking really helped my health, I think.
Not that I don't have some indulgences that aren't so good for me: any sort of cured meat, cheeses, whiskey, coffee, fried okra, doughnuts, and on and on. But when your everyday diet isn't made up of processed crap, the occasional health hazard isn't so hazardous. And stuff that's REALLY despicable, like grape soda, just never appeals to you.
So Dan, I'd worry a little less about what DJ has at birthday parties as long as his regular diet is as home-cooked as you have time for, and as long as you screen for foods with healthier ingredients. Then you won't need to worry about all the koolaid and soda at these parties, because he'll view them as nothing but carbonated laxatives.
47
You don't have to think food is bad or cook everything yourself. I basically just follow 3 rules as much as possible: 1) Avoid animal-based foods, 2) Don't drink calories, 3) Eat whole grains, beans, and green veggies. I love food and I eat like a pig (especially stoned), but am still healthy and thin. Before I followed those rules, I was chubby and struggled with food on a daily basis.
50
My five year old niece had to get one of her teeth capped. This was a baby tooth. I've never heard of such a thing. I have a feeling it had a lot to do with all the soda she's allowed to drink.
51
@47: I generally agree with your rules. I My rule #1 is no heavily processed foods, but I make an exception for Trader Joes Soy Chorizo. I'm just confused by people who think a piece of FAT FREE, ATKINS FRIENDLY, FIBER-ENRICHED bread is better for them than an actual slice of healthy 12-grain bread.
I think it's all about controlling portion sizes and eating closer to nature and not this weird quest to create nutritionally ideal frankenfood that you can eat in whatever unsatisfying quantities you want. A good home made cupcake once a month isn't going to kill anyone.
I think it's all about controlling portion sizes and eating closer to nature and not this weird quest to create nutritionally ideal frankenfood that you can eat in whatever unsatisfying quantities you want. A good home made cupcake once a month isn't going to kill anyone.
53
our birthday party drink is 'fizzy' water with a couple of frozen strawberries or peach slices in it instead of ice cubes.
54
Dan is spot on.
The only sweet sticky substance school kids should be consuming is cum as they learn the joys of birth control thru anal and oral sex.
Right Dan?
The only sweet sticky substance school kids should be consuming is cum as they learn the joys of birth control thru anal and oral sex.
Right Dan?
56
Jesus, @54, what the fuck is wrong with you?
I'd say you've got issues, but that's putting it too kindly.
I'd say you've got issues, but that's putting it too kindly.
57
56
may 6
Savage responding to his fav gal Bristol:
"Right off the top of my head, Bristol: mutual masturbation, oral sex, anal sex, outercourse, sex toys your partner can insert into you, sex toys you can insert your partner into, erotic role-play that doesn't culminate in vaginal intercourse, GAY SEXthere are lots of "foolproof" ways for teenagers (and adults) to be sexual, to be fully intimate, without risking an unplanned pregnancy. It's possible for a teenager to have fulfilling and low-risk sex, and the intimacy and closeness and connection that comes along with it, without risking the "24-hour job and... huge responsibility" that having a baby entails."
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archive…
may 6
Savage responding to his fav gal Bristol:
"Right off the top of my head, Bristol: mutual masturbation, oral sex, anal sex, outercourse, sex toys your partner can insert into you, sex toys you can insert your partner into, erotic role-play that doesn't culminate in vaginal intercourse, GAY SEXthere are lots of "foolproof" ways for teenagers (and adults) to be sexual, to be fully intimate, without risking an unplanned pregnancy. It's possible for a teenager to have fulfilling and low-risk sex, and the intimacy and closeness and connection that comes along with it, without risking the "24-hour job and... huge responsibility" that having a baby entails."
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archive…
58
57:
Goodness, you should quote the entire thing.
"But if they do decide to become sexually active they need to know about birth controland have access to itand they need to know that they options. Sex isn't vaginal intercourse or nothing at all. Outercourse, oral, masturbation, and sex toys aren't consolation prizes for teenagers who aren't ready for sex; they're honest-to-God sex acts and that adults enjoy in addition to and sometimes in place of vaginal intercourse."
There is no encouragement for unprotected sex in any form. Hence, the disgust at the suggestion that Dan encourages students to be swallowing while they learn the joys of birthcontrol.
You're welcome to your opinon and to disagree with Dan's advice, but at least quote him correctly.
Goodness, you should quote the entire thing.
"But if they do decide to become sexually active they need to know about birth controland have access to itand they need to know that they options. Sex isn't vaginal intercourse or nothing at all. Outercourse, oral, masturbation, and sex toys aren't consolation prizes for teenagers who aren't ready for sex; they're honest-to-God sex acts and that adults enjoy in addition to and sometimes in place of vaginal intercourse."
There is no encouragement for unprotected sex in any form. Hence, the disgust at the suggestion that Dan encourages students to be swallowing while they learn the joys of birthcontrol.
You're welcome to your opinon and to disagree with Dan's advice, but at least quote him correctly.
60
58
Thanks, Kim.
I quoted Dan correctly,
word-for-word,
extensively
and linked to the rest.
Children who cannot manage vaginal intercourse without getting pregnant cannot manage anal and oral sex without transmitting STDs.
Regardless of any "protection" they are using.
Advocating and describing anal sex and oral sex practiced by school children as "low-risk sex" and "foolproof" is a blatant lie and criminally irresponsible.
Dan is more interested in enticing school children to practice "GAY SEX" (did I quote correctly?) than concerned about unwanted pregnancy or STDs.
(BTW there is no mention of "protection" in either of the quotations...)
Thanks, Kim.
I quoted Dan correctly,
word-for-word,
extensively
and linked to the rest.
Children who cannot manage vaginal intercourse without getting pregnant cannot manage anal and oral sex without transmitting STDs.
Regardless of any "protection" they are using.
Advocating and describing anal sex and oral sex practiced by school children as "low-risk sex" and "foolproof" is a blatant lie and criminally irresponsible.
Dan is more interested in enticing school children to practice "GAY SEX" (did I quote correctly?) than concerned about unwanted pregnancy or STDs.
(BTW there is no mention of "protection" in either of the quotations...)
61
Gay men are 2% of the US population but 53% of new AIDS cases.
That, after 25 years of education on "safe" sex.
As a gay man sex "expert" perhaps Dan could address that problem before advocating that the children of America join his buddies in practicing "foolproof" "low-risk" anal sex, oral sex and GAY SEX.
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillan…
That, after 25 years of education on "safe" sex.
As a gay man sex "expert" perhaps Dan could address that problem before advocating that the children of America join his buddies in practicing "foolproof" "low-risk" anal sex, oral sex and GAY SEX.
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillan…
62
Do people really say "pop" in Seattle when they mean "soda." You Seattlites and your quaint, Western dialect!
63
61:
You're correct it is a tragedy that gay men which make up 2-8% population (5% is the common recognized approximation) make up 53% of new HIV cases. World wide heterosexuals make up 90% of the cases. It is a tragic disease that cares not for the sexual orientation of its host.
Unfortunately high risk behavior is common for humans. The CDC's latest report on teenagers.
Sexual Behaviors that Contribute to Unintended Pregnancy and STDs, Including HIV Infection
Ever had sexual intercourse
45.9 (43.148.6) females
49.8 (46.752.9) males
●
Had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13 years
4.0 (3.54.5) females
10.1 (8.612.0) males
●
Had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life
11.8 (10.513.1) females
17.9 (16.020.0) males
●
Currently sexually active (Had sexual intercourse with at least one person during the 3 months before the survey.)
35.6 (33.238.1) females
34.3 (32.036.7) males
●
Did not use a condom during last sexual intercourse (Among students who were currently sexually active.)
45.1 (41.948.2) females
31.5 (28.634.6) males
●
Drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse (Among students who were currently sexually active.)
17.7 (15.120.7) females
27.5 (24.630.6) males
●
Never taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection
9.8 (8.311.5) females
11.3 (10.112.6) males
●
Never tested for HIV (Does not include tests conducted when donating blood.)
85.2 (83.287.0) females
88.9 (87.690.1) males
http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/pdf…
Our nations children need comprehensive sex education, they need affordable and easily obtained condoms, they need to understand that their sexual desires are normal part of their humanity and maturing, and they need to be told that they can express themselves sexually without having penetrative sex (masturbation, frottage, dry humping, outercourse, etc.). Yes, we can encourage abstinence as well. Even then the decision to "wrap it before they tap it" is not within our control. It's foolish to think America's youth will not have sex, so we have to do all we can to educate them, inform them of options, make it easy and shame free for them to obtain condoms, and hope that they will use condoms when having penetrative sex. Anyway, that's my $0.02 and your welcome to disagree.
More...
You're correct it is a tragedy that gay men which make up 2-8% population (5% is the common recognized approximation) make up 53% of new HIV cases. World wide heterosexuals make up 90% of the cases. It is a tragic disease that cares not for the sexual orientation of its host.
Unfortunately high risk behavior is common for humans. The CDC's latest report on teenagers.
Sexual Behaviors that Contribute to Unintended Pregnancy and STDs, Including HIV Infection
Ever had sexual intercourse
45.9 (43.148.6) females
49.8 (46.752.9) males
●
Had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13 years
4.0 (3.54.5) females
10.1 (8.612.0) males
●
Had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life
11.8 (10.513.1) females
17.9 (16.020.0) males
●
Currently sexually active (Had sexual intercourse with at least one person during the 3 months before the survey.)
35.6 (33.238.1) females
34.3 (32.036.7) males
●
Did not use a condom during last sexual intercourse (Among students who were currently sexually active.)
45.1 (41.948.2) females
31.5 (28.634.6) males
●
Drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse (Among students who were currently sexually active.)
17.7 (15.120.7) females
27.5 (24.630.6) males
●
Never taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection
9.8 (8.311.5) females
11.3 (10.112.6) males
●
Never tested for HIV (Does not include tests conducted when donating blood.)
85.2 (83.287.0) females
88.9 (87.690.1) males
http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/pdf…
Our nations children need comprehensive sex education, they need affordable and easily obtained condoms, they need to understand that their sexual desires are normal part of their humanity and maturing, and they need to be told that they can express themselves sexually without having penetrative sex (masturbation, frottage, dry humping, outercourse, etc.). Yes, we can encourage abstinence as well. Even then the decision to "wrap it before they tap it" is not within our control. It's foolish to think America's youth will not have sex, so we have to do all we can to educate them, inform them of options, make it easy and shame free for them to obtain condoms, and hope that they will use condoms when having penetrative sex. Anyway, that's my $0.02 and your welcome to disagree.
65
63
High Risk Behavior is much less common in humans who have been educated about what the risks actually are.
Honest education would tell children that there is no such thing as "safe sex" when they are engaging in casual promiscuous extra-martial sex.
It would tell them that condoms reduce but come no where close to eliminating the risk of pregnancy and STD.
It would emphasis to them that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent unplanned pregnancy and STD.
They could then make their own informed decision.
It would surprise you and Dan how many youth already make the choice to save sexual activity for marriage.
And, given honest accurate information many more would make that enlightened choice.
Selling anal sex and oral sex to school children as cost free "foolproof" "low-risk" routes to sexual fulfillment is factually wrong, socially irresponsible and morally reprehensible.
High Risk Behavior is much less common in humans who have been educated about what the risks actually are.
Honest education would tell children that there is no such thing as "safe sex" when they are engaging in casual promiscuous extra-martial sex.
It would tell them that condoms reduce but come no where close to eliminating the risk of pregnancy and STD.
It would emphasis to them that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent unplanned pregnancy and STD.
They could then make their own informed decision.
It would surprise you and Dan how many youth already make the choice to save sexual activity for marriage.
And, given honest accurate information many more would make that enlightened choice.
Selling anal sex and oral sex to school children as cost free "foolproof" "low-risk" routes to sexual fulfillment is factually wrong, socially irresponsible and morally reprehensible.
66
Good luck with all of the eating-disordered teenagers you weird-ass control-freak people are going to have in the future! So glad you are teaching them now that food is the enemy! Wow! It is also nice to know that you all are heaping on the hate for people who are fat or not eating according to your regime du jour!
67
66: nobody's saying that food is the enemy. Only gross, malnutritious, poison-laden imitations of food. Kids don't develop eating disorders from having parents that insist on a healthy diet (doing so isn't the same as hassling your kid over their figure). They do, however, develop health problems if their diet consists entirely of crap.
I've never understood people who try to argue that eating pizza and ice cream all day and weighing 400 pounds is healthy. Don't get me wrong, there is a difference between being thin and being healthy, and not all big people are unhealthy. It's also your choice if you want to have a fatty/sugary diet despite the health consequences. Really, there's nothing wrong with thinking it's worth the extra weight or shorter lifespan to eat fats and sweets all your life. But three things:
1) You should admit that unhealthy diets are unhealthy, plain and simple. Acting indignant about it doesn't make it any less true. If you want to argue that an unhealthy diet is worth it, then fine, but don't argue that it's healthy. If being fat really is nothing to be ashamed of, then people shouldn't have to deceive themselves about how they got fat. Many fat people are healthy as horses and it's just their body type, but these people are not taken seriously thanks to people who get fat due to an unhealthy diet and then claim otherwise.
2) A healthy diet needs to be the default. Children need to be raised eating foods that the body needs, which will include some fats and sweets, but not exclusively, and not with poisons like HFCS laced into them. If they decide that a proper diet isn't worth it, we all die anyway, and so we may as well eat fried chicken and pepsi along the way, then fine; but they need to make that decision themselves when they are grown. It's not a decision their parents should get to make for them as they're growing.
3) Even the most health-insistent parent doesn't have to harass their kid about their diet. They just have to buy healthy food so that it's all the kid has to choose from in their house. That's not exactly traumatic; nobody ever became bulimic because he wanted pop-tarts but could only find apples and toast. Sure they'll have to endure some whining and refuse to give in when the kid inevitably begs for soda at the grocery store, but that's not traumatic either.
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I've never understood people who try to argue that eating pizza and ice cream all day and weighing 400 pounds is healthy. Don't get me wrong, there is a difference between being thin and being healthy, and not all big people are unhealthy. It's also your choice if you want to have a fatty/sugary diet despite the health consequences. Really, there's nothing wrong with thinking it's worth the extra weight or shorter lifespan to eat fats and sweets all your life. But three things:
1) You should admit that unhealthy diets are unhealthy, plain and simple. Acting indignant about it doesn't make it any less true. If you want to argue that an unhealthy diet is worth it, then fine, but don't argue that it's healthy. If being fat really is nothing to be ashamed of, then people shouldn't have to deceive themselves about how they got fat. Many fat people are healthy as horses and it's just their body type, but these people are not taken seriously thanks to people who get fat due to an unhealthy diet and then claim otherwise.
2) A healthy diet needs to be the default. Children need to be raised eating foods that the body needs, which will include some fats and sweets, but not exclusively, and not with poisons like HFCS laced into them. If they decide that a proper diet isn't worth it, we all die anyway, and so we may as well eat fried chicken and pepsi along the way, then fine; but they need to make that decision themselves when they are grown. It's not a decision their parents should get to make for them as they're growing.
3) Even the most health-insistent parent doesn't have to harass their kid about their diet. They just have to buy healthy food so that it's all the kid has to choose from in their house. That's not exactly traumatic; nobody ever became bulimic because he wanted pop-tarts but could only find apples and toast. Sure they'll have to endure some whining and refuse to give in when the kid inevitably begs for soda at the grocery store, but that's not traumatic either.
68
Yeah, good luck with that. The local school board here recently decided to terminate their exclusive contract with Pepsi (according to someone I've been arguing with, this contract is totally appropriate for a public educational institution) not because pop is plain unhealthy, but because Pepsi may be switching to aspartame-sweetened pop only. So according to Toronto, they're OK with selling pop to your children as long as it only makes them fat or diabetic, but they draw the line with cancer.
Internal logic? None. I still have people telling me they'd rather have fat kids than dead kids, and not mentioning a damn thing about the health consequences of poor eating.
Internal logic? None. I still have people telling me they'd rather have fat kids than dead kids, and not mentioning a damn thing about the health consequences of poor eating.
70
Yeah, agreed. Parents are fucking ridiculous with the amount of SHIT food they bring to every blessed event. Soccer game for your six year old kids? Well, that deserves some "fruit by the foot", juice boxes, AND cookies, dontcha think!?!?! Christ, it's amazing and pathetic. Every event is a sugar fest - before, during, or after ... sometimes all three.
71
Not a bad idea, Dan. A treat here and there isn't so bad, but it's the sodas and HFCS juices that cause the most trouble.
I remember as a kid in elementary school... we never got anything more than a slice of pizza every so often (and I mean like once a year). For lunch, we got a main dish the size of a wallet, a side of cold vegetables and a carton of plain or chocolate milk. That was it. No soda machines, and nothing more than a candy/ice cream stand outside,and that stuff cost money just like lunch, so you couldn't pig out. A handful of change got you one treat and that was it... now go run and play soccer, or tetherball, or four square with the other kids.
And while it's cool to see folks comparing the healthy diet they try to keep their kids to, there's no mention of exercise habits, which honestly is half the battle. There's no assurance your kid's running around during recess... provided your school still does recess. Do they actually get to go outside more than once a week? I hope so, because you could feed them the world's purest vegan diet, but if they're cooped up in the home, their metabolism's going to eventually stagnate and it won't matter.
Oh, and ranch dressing is not only disgusting (seriously, it smells like fucking rotten shoes, tastes about as good, and I can't believe people LOVE that shit), but it's got a bunch of fat and additives, basically all the bad crap from milk (soured, no less, since it's made from sour cream) and more. Dressings are a big reason why people get fat despite eating salads everyday.
Vegetables have flavor! Let your kid taste it!
I remember as a kid in elementary school... we never got anything more than a slice of pizza every so often (and I mean like once a year). For lunch, we got a main dish the size of a wallet, a side of cold vegetables and a carton of plain or chocolate milk. That was it. No soda machines, and nothing more than a candy/ice cream stand outside,and that stuff cost money just like lunch, so you couldn't pig out. A handful of change got you one treat and that was it... now go run and play soccer, or tetherball, or four square with the other kids.
And while it's cool to see folks comparing the healthy diet they try to keep their kids to, there's no mention of exercise habits, which honestly is half the battle. There's no assurance your kid's running around during recess... provided your school still does recess. Do they actually get to go outside more than once a week? I hope so, because you could feed them the world's purest vegan diet, but if they're cooped up in the home, their metabolism's going to eventually stagnate and it won't matter.
Oh, and ranch dressing is not only disgusting (seriously, it smells like fucking rotten shoes, tastes about as good, and I can't believe people LOVE that shit), but it's got a bunch of fat and additives, basically all the bad crap from milk (soured, no less, since it's made from sour cream) and more. Dressings are a big reason why people get fat despite eating salads everyday.
Vegetables have flavor! Let your kid taste it!
72
While milk is clearly the only acceptable accessory to a cupcake. Pizza simple must be served with soda-pop (or beer).
73
Food is not the enemy, @66. Bad choices are the enemy. Our bodies are machines. Food = fuel. Childhood obesity is a huge problem in our country. A party can still be fun for a kid w/out Kool-Aid or whatever purple juice crap.
Milk not enough of a treat? How about a lowfat chocolate milk, limit each student to a tiny carton, like we did when I was in school?
It's so much easier to shape better habits if your parents are behind you. I was a fat kid, now I'm a fat adult, trying to be less fat. Parental inattentiveness didn't help.
The cake is treat enough.
Milk not enough of a treat? How about a lowfat chocolate milk, limit each student to a tiny carton, like we did when I was in school?
It's so much easier to shape better habits if your parents are behind you. I was a fat kid, now I'm a fat adult, trying to be less fat. Parental inattentiveness didn't help.
The cake is treat enough.
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