One of the most difficult things we can teach our children is responsibility. While knowing right from wrong may be the first step, getting your child to knowingly and willingly act in a responsible manner is the ultimate goal. The concept of responsibility, like most general ideas, can be difficult for children to grasp.
We never want to restrict our child's freedoms or stifle them in anyway. Of course, we often feel we are doing just that when we attempt to teach responsibility. If we go to far, we may even cause them to rebel.
Educating them about consequences may be the key to teaching responsibility. It can start with something as simple as, ?if you don't clean your room, you cannot watch TV tonight; the choice is up to you.? Giving them a specific choice, with a specific consequence will help teach them what affects their decisions have. By repeating choices and consequences to them in this manner, we can help make a lasting impression.
By allowing them to make a conscious choice, they will not feel forced or bullied. Most children will see a sense of fairness in the options.
The choices and consequences we provide will depend on the child's age. Telling a 7 year old the consequence of doing drugs may involve living on the street may not make sense to them. However, telling them the consequence of not eating their greens means they cannot have dessert is bound to cause a connection.
Removing privileges is the most common consequence for certain behaviors or not performing certain tasks. The child will begin to see that when they get their homework done, or clean their room, they are rewarded for it. This helps define a general foundation that can lead to self-aware responsibility.
Children, especially teenagers, want have a sense of autonomy. If we restrict it too much, they will only rebel. It is important to allow a certain amount of freedom and to not be too strict.
The goal is not to force responsibility, but rather to encourage them to develop it on their own. Take an active interest in their life and help guide them with goals and rewards. Teach them responsibility without becoming a drill sergeant.
HAVE you ever wondered why giant billboards rented by food companies display chubby-cheeked, "well-fed" kids? If advertisements do not work, why do American food companies spend as much as $15 billion annually to market their products to children? As the European Union and United States grapple with the problem of childhood obesity, our airwaves are replete with bouncy songs and funny voices that sell food to kids and, consequently, entrance our children.
Even those institutions that hitherto used to be outside of the market, are being invaded. High schools now sell the outer walls of their premises, the spaces of their hallways and the classroom time of their students to manufacturers of candy bars, soft drinks, food beverages, etc. It is not surprising that these companies are highly successful, having perfected the art of manipulating the emotions, thoughts and intelligence of the target audience. A 2003 joint World Health Organisation (WHO)/Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report had shown that advertising was among a range of factors identified as having a negative effect on health.
Childhood obesity and associated type two diabetes are now serious problems in the EU and United States, while serious efforts are being made to shield children from advertising of high calorie, energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (foods high in fat, sugar and/or salt). Alarmed at the increased incidence of illnesses related to obesity, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, governments across Europe have expressed concerns about the health of their populations. According to the International Obesity Taskforce, 36 per cent of nine-year olds in Italy are overweight or obese, while in Spain, 25 per cent of children and adolescents have the problem.
However, obesity is not confined to rich industrialised countries. In Egypt, surveys of 4-year -old children reveal that over 25 per cent of them are overweight or obese. In Nigeria and Kenya between five per cent and 10 per cent fall within these categories. The most likely causes, according to WHO, are redundant physical activity and over-consumption of energy-dense convenience foods.
Are food companies to blame for obesity? According to the Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which intervenes in American nutrition issues, the rates of obesity in that country have doubled in younger children and tripled in teenagers. Meanwhile, American children see close to 60 commercial messages daily from television alone and about half of such advertisements are for candy, fast food, soft drinks and sweetened breakfast cereals that are high in calories and fat and low in fibre and essential nutrients.
After a three-year review of research and practices in advertising aimed at children, the American Psychological Association opined in 2004 that children under 8 lack the intellectual maturity to process advertisements. It then concluded by stating that televised advertising aimed at youngsters are tantamount to exploitation of a vulnerable group. As if to admit that marketers contribute to the epidemic of childhood obesity, Kraft Foods Inc., the largest food company in the United States, announced that it would stop advertising some of its most popular kids' foods to children below the age of 12. The change affects products that approximate 10 per cent of the company's annual revenue, which is more than $30 billion.
Food companies (eateries inclusive) should note that our children require special consideration and protection with respect to advertising. The appropriate regulatory bodies should therefore ensure that food advertising regulations are consistent with food labeling regulations. Nigeria could learn from the EU, which, recently, warned food firms to stop advertising junk food to children and make labelling clearer.
I support a total ban on promotion of caffeinated drinks and sugary drinks, as well as foods largely devoid of nutrients, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Advertising of foods high in fats, added sugars or salt, and large-portion products should also be axed. Finally, lawsuits should serve as a deterrent to recalcitrant food advertisers.
Both Matt Adler & Yusuf Danesi are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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