Prompt #35

A debate has fallen, a story was told, and school lunches are the topic. Parents argue that their children are beginning to adapt to eating unhealthy food. How could this have happened? Parents keep track of their children for most of the day. Most of the day! A parent is supposed to be the caretaker of the child 24/7. The only time when the parent does not watch their child is at … school. Yes, that is it. This is why a parents would complain about school lunches. The lunches do not live up to their names. Children are being served chips, cookies, fries, and all sort of junk on a constant basis. It is rare to see “low-fat” or “vegetarian” as school lunch options. As a school campus (that is held accountable for the child 8 hours of the day) school lunches should accommodate the eating habits of the child. A child’s behavior is already held accountable at school, so eating habits should be accommodated as well.

Schools should accommodate a child into healthy eating habits. Why? Health is an important factor for the child’s success in the future. A school is the nurturer of the child’s mind and body. Since preschool, children are accustomed to the fact that school lunches are a daily routine. If junk is included in this daily routine, the child would get accustomed to this flaw. Now if schools promoted healthy habits and snacks, the child is more likely to become accustomed in eating the right thing. In fact, schools that promote healthier habits to the children help the lifespan of the child increase drastically.

Parents have the right to know that their child is safe at school at all times. Then how come health is not a violation of the child’s safety? It taints the immune system of the child. It increases the child’s rate of developing diabetes or obesity as years progress. Is this not harming the child? Is harm not the opposite of safety? Ah, all interesting questions. By refusing to serve the child low-fat or vegetarian school lunches, the school is harming the child. In fact, as years develop children become aware of their appearance. By feeding unhealthy lunches, schools only increase the chances of a child developing a low self esteem, thus harming the child physically and mentally.

A school must realize a child’s health is an important factor of the child. If a child’s health is affected, the absence rate is going to increase The child’s grades, on the other hand, are more likely to decrease as a result of absences. Why is a child’s health affected by junk food? Junk food is exactly as the title is given to it - junk. There is no way around this fact. Junk is artificial, and not natural in comparison to vegetarian and low-fat alternatives. A school’s duty is to accommodates a child’s needs towards success in the future and lunch options are a major deciding factor of the child’s future health condition.

School lunches should be made to accommodate student’s with low-fat and vegetarian options. A child’s safety and knowledge are already held accountable by the school, so school lunches should be a priority as well. A child’s future is at risk, if schools fail to accommodate their health needs.