Parents of seven told: Your children are too fat, so you will never see them again

[NYkarate]

Fascism at its finest:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti....html?ITO=1490

[jarekd1234]

'We have tried very hard to do everything that was asked of us. My wife has cooked healthy foods like home-made spaghetti bolognese and mince and potatoes; but nothing we’ve done has ever been enough'

‘They picked on us because of our size to start with and they just haven’t let go, despite the fact we’ve done everything to lose weight and meet their demands. We’re going to fight this to the bitter end. It feels like even prisoners have more human rights than we do.’

I haven't found any information in this article if the kids where in a caloric deficit..

Why is there no one telling those poor kids that they need to watch how much they eat not what they eat.. Weight loss is simple but with the media telling all this crap no one believes that it's as simple as calories in vs calories out.. no one believes me irl as well, I just get called an idiot, especially when arguing with my parents.

[bigtallox]

Fascism at its finest:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti....html?ITO=1490

It's just another example of where we're going as a country, it's disgusting how many people support the direction.

EDITED: I just noticed that URL is in the UK. BUT IMHO we seem to be moving in the same direction in this country, it's scary.

[SerpentHearted]

they actually look normal sized by modern standards to me.

[Karl_Hungus]

they actually look normal sized by modern standards to me.

^^ I was thinking the same thing. Regardless of how fat they are, it is a very dangerous precedent to cede that much power to big brother.

[SerpentHearted]

yeah i think... well it's a fine line but we take people's kids of them if they are bad / negligent parents. Morbidly obese kids would be (in many cases) a sign of negligent parenting IMO.

edit: but with that being said... probably still better off with their fat parents than in state care.

[Wildtim]

I can picture it now.......

late at night a group of overweight British parents gathering, at the harbor dressed as Americans and throwing their fish and chips into the harbor. Why it might spark a revolution...

Seriously though I think it needs to be done.

[Karl_Hungus]

Liberty demands responsibility. They don't want responsibility, then they don't get liberty.

But if liberty demands responsible choices, then is it really liberty if you are not free to make irresponsible choices? Once you demand that only responsible choices are acceptable, it then ceases to be liberty.

[NYkarate]

But if liberty demands responsible choices, then is it really liberty if you are not free to make irresponsible choices? Once you demand that only responsible choices are acceptable, it then ceases to be liberty.

I think the qualifier is that as long as we are forced to pay for others, those others have given up their liberty in turn for socialism. A bad deal all around IMHO.

[chodan9]

I think its deplorable to even have 7 kids in this day and age (edit: if you cant afford them) much less having them all be obese,
but I think that this reaction is going too far, who is to say that in a few years it will be unfashionable to have your kids be too skinny and that they will be taken away if they don't start eating more. Or if their grades in school are bad, lets send them to some smart people who can raise their grades.
I normally would not get very worked up about things like this but this one went over the line.

[bigtallox]

Too late. If I have to be responsible for footing your medical bills then I have a right to have a sayso in how you live your life.

Your "right to say so" is ( or should be ) much less of a right than the rights parents have. The world is becoming a scary place and it's amazing to me that most people accept the changes that are happening.

Liberty demands responsibility. They don't want responsibility, then they don't get liberty.

Who said they aren't being responsible? Their kids look a little heavy, but so what, that doesn't mean the parents are irresponsible. I weighed 160 in the 3rd grade, I was off the chart on both height and weight so the doctors put me on a very strict diet ( under 1000 calories a day ). I didn't grow in height for 2 years because of what the doctors did. I also have scoliosis, so the doctors also told my parents I couldn't play sports. I listened to that until I was 40 years old, all it did was result in me having back pain for years and years. But guess what, once I started deadlifting I found out my back wasn't "bad" it was just weak ( and no more pain now either ), and I wasn't "fat" I was big and meant to be strong. Honestly, it infuriates me.

[GnomusMaximus]

Stories like this are presented from one side. The people involved with social servicesend do not, and will not be allowed to comment on specifics. In my experience in situations like this (although I obviously do not know these folks) the parents normally leave out the real issues from the information they give the papers. UK news is also much more free to work within loose boundaries than ours. My guess is there is MUCH more to this story than we know.

[GnomusMaximus]

I also seem to remember a similar furor over an article written in the US about a position paper the Harvard School of medicine made. It took many statements out of context and took huge jumps in logic from the actual document.

[flairon]

If you read the story, its not just a matter of them being fat. They have been put into programs ordered by the court and missed them on numerous occasions and there are various references to neglect other than the over eating.

but they have a 12 year old weight 224 lbs
an 11 year old girl weighing almost 200
and a 3 year old at almost 60

I'm not for the government being into people's business like this, but then again when mom and dad have these kids already morbidly obese, how much farther til its child abuse? Should the gov't wait until one of them strokes out at school?

[NYkarate]

I also seem to remember a similar furor over an article written in the US about a position paper the Harvard School of medicine made. It took many statements out of context and took huge jumps in logic from the actual document.

You're implying that the story is some sort of lie. I welcome you to disprove it.

[GnomusMaximus]

You're implying that the story is some sort of lie. I welcome you to disprove it.

That's exactly what courts are for, which is where this will go. I think before people run around claiming facism they should be sure they know the whole thing. The Social Service Agency will not be able to comment on the situation, just as they could not here. (I have some basic knowledge of that. I loved Scotland so much I've looked into the system to see if I could get certified over there, maybe just to work in the summer). When I have been involved in higher profile cases where family services are presented as the bad guy I have found the families to leave out the real issues which do not portray them in a positive light.

[grounder7]

Well hate to break it to you but as a tax payer we already pay for people's health bills, liberty does demand responsibility but whose job is it to determine what is responsible and what isn't?

Too late. If I have to be responsible for footing your medical bills then I have a right to have a sayso in how you live your life.

They can't have it both ways.

Liberty demands responsibility. They don't want responsibility, then they don't get liberty.

[NYkarate]

That's exactly what courts are for, which is where this will go. I think before people run around claiming facism they should be sure they know the whole thing. The Social Service Agency will not be able to comment on the situation, just as they could not here. (I have some basic knowledge of that. I loved Scotland so much I've looked into the system to see if I could get certified over there, maybe just to work in the summer). When I have been involved in higher profile cases where family services are presented as the bad guy I have found the families to leave out the real issues which do not portray them in a positive light.

This comment suggests that the story is 100% accurate. Parents shouldn't have to worry about being taken to court because their kids are fat. It is absurd.

[GnomusMaximus]

This comment suggests that the story is 100% accurate. Parents shouldn't have to worry about being taken to court because their kids are fat. It is absurd.

No it doesn't, what it suggests is that there is more than one side to the story and the second side can not, should not and will not speak to the press. Therefore that version will never be known in the media.. In these situations the issue presented in the "story" never conveys the whole problem. Your right, it is absurd to worry about taking parents of fat kids to court just for being fat, which is exactly why it doesn't happen that way.

[NYkarate]

No it doesn't, what it suggests is that there is more than one side to the story and the second side can not, should not and will not speak to the press. Therefore that version will never be known in the media.. In these situations the issue presented in the "story" never conveys the whole problem. Your right, it is absurd to worry about taking parents of fat kids to court just for being fat, which is exactly why it doesn't happen that way.

Fair enough.

[GuyJin]

I agree. And I would hesitate to argue these peoples right to make irresponsible choices if these people would opt out of a system where I am forced to pay for their irresponsible choices. The truth is that these people do not want liberty.

---


I can smell the oil of a slippery slope up ahead and the bottom is gonna be a doozie. Half of me agrees with this post, but the problem is that when someone--not necessarily you, eomrat--makes a blanket statement that "these people do not want liberty" then the question arises are you the one to judge? And if so, how? Once the sled starts, that rationale can be applied to any situation. I'm not saying this as a diss, mind; far from it. But even though we're paying for the "fatties" of the world--and it's a situation I don't like either--then what about the Junkers classes, or the other welfare recipients or those with handicapped kids? All kinds of excuses can be made here.

I'm also not saying I have the answer to it; I don't. What I think would be rather Draconian...but that's for another time.

[NYkarate]

The answer is simple. Let people take care of their own and let private charities take care of those in need.

[GuyJin]

The answer is simple. Let people take care of their own and let private charities take care of those in need.

-----

One hundred years ago, that answer would have sufficed for the most part--assuming that the charities had enough resources to cover the costs. By and large they did, and private individuals chipped in for the rest. Naturally, there were those left out and that's an unavoidable fact of life, then as now.

However, with the exponential growth in the population, the expansion of the government--seen by many as a necessary evil (and there's too much bloat, if you ask me)--the charities soon became overwhelmed. The scenario you envisage is no longer viable. The economy is incapable at the moment of supporting full employment--it never could, no matter what age we look at--and the companies simply cannot afford to hire those who are willing to work. So we're back to square one.

As for my own thoughts, the "fatties" of the world, yes, they should get off their butts and do something about their own problems. I agree that it is not my--nor anyone else's--responsibility to take care of those. Yet, the governments of the USA and Canada, as well as many other political institutions around the world, have actively made the decision to invoke "non-voluntary payment" (a.k.a. socialism) and there is no turning back, I fear. So either we do away with it all or else we continue the course. Ask yourself this: If you were up ****'s creek, would you want a helping hand from a charity that may not be able to provide it, or would you take the government helping hand through taxation of your neighbor(s)?

[Brackneyc]

Mine. If I have to foot the bill for your dumb ass, then I get the right to make decisions for you. That's how responsibility works.

This is how many of the conversations end up when informing my kids about how come it is that they cannot just want something, and have it happen. I tell them that when they are footing the bill, they can do what they like. While I am footing the bill, everything runs through me. I find it inconceivable that anyone who has ever had to support themselves, or anyone over the age of 18 doesn't understand this concept.

[NYkarate]

-----

One hundred years ago, that answer would have sufficed for the most part--assuming that the charities had enough resources to cover the costs. By and large they did, and private individuals chipped in for the rest. Naturally, there were those left out and that's an unavoidable fact of life, then as now.

However, with the exponential growth in the population, the expansion of the government--seen by many as a necessary evil (and there's too much bloat, if you ask me)--the charities soon became overwhelmed. The scenario you envisage is no longer viable. The economy is incapable at the moment of supporting full employment--it never could, no matter what age we look at--and the companies simply cannot afford to hire those who are willing to work. So we're back to square one.

As for my own thoughts, the "fatties" of the world, yes, they should get off their butts and do something about their own problems. I agree that it is not my--nor anyone else's--responsibility to take care of those. Yet, the governments of the USA and Canada, as well as many other political institutions around the world, have actively made the decision to invoke "non-voluntary payment" (a.k.a. socialism) and there is no turning back, I fear. So either we do away with it all or else we continue the course. Ask yourself this: If you were up ****'s creek, would you want a helping hand from a charity that may not be able to provide it, or would you take the government helping hand through taxation of your neighbor(s)?

Its more than viable. More population = more donors. People don't give money like they used to, because we are taxed so much. It really is incredible the amount of taxation on the average middle class family, from parking fees, tolls, sales taxes, income taxes, water taxes, phone usage taxes, tax after tax after tax. I would MUCH prefer the helping hand of a charity any day. Government handouts are heavily abused and filled with red tape. Direct neighborhood charity add dimensions of shame, which discourages abuse and encourages self-reliant behaviors. Furthermore, they come with direct involvement with local people who are or able to become much more familiar with the individuals situation. That makes them a far better judge as to how to help someone (including me if I needed it). I have sat on the board of a large non-profit for years. I have also been involved in both raising and delivery funds to other non-profits through my years and am so much more in favor of private charity than public.

Quick story. I was involved in a charity renovating an elder ladies home that had been neglected. Her 18 year old grandson was there while 20+ people went to town changing out her windows and doing a ton of other renovations. The son had been sitting on his butt doing nothing while we all buzzed around helping her out. Finally someone said something to him that forced him to actually start breaking a sweat helping out. That type of interaction usually doesn't happen in a public charity type situation.

[drudixon]

Fascism at its finest:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti....html?ITO=1490

Charge a fat tax. don't take the kids. Ppl will follow the money.

[grounder7]

No shit, I bet if you thought really, really hard about it you might be able to figure out that that is what I meant when I said "Too late". But, thanks for "breaking it to me".



Mine. If I have to foot the bill for your dumb ass, then I get the right to make decisions for you. That's how responsibility works.

That is how responsibility works? Yeah just what we need another person who makes decisions by emotion and knee jerk reactions. Just like some of the others have said it is a slippery and hopefully you can figure that out. Oh and thanks for paying my medical but then again you think you pay for everyone's medical don't you?

[MontyMagpie]

It's just another example of where we're going as a country, it's disgusting how many people support the direction.

EDITED: I just noticed that URL is in the UK. BUT IMHO we seem to be moving in the same direction in this country, it's scary.

Yes it is the UK, and about the number of people supporting, it's the Daily Mail, there are many many trolls that frequent that site and influence the ratings too.

[Rdez]

The Brits gave up their guns. No wonder they're losing more freedoms every day.

[MontyMagpie]

The Brits gave up their guns. No wonder they're losing more freedoms every day.

We can't even fly a flag anymore without bother. Apparently our flag may offend foreign people who have moved here. It's a disgrace, we have give up our country.