Who Is To Blame For Childhood Obesity

As more children are diagnosed with suffering from childhood obesity, the argument of who is to blame arises. When discussing who is in the wrong about the ever rising amount of obese children, the most common source of blame is either the children’s own parents or outside influence. Outside influences consist of a wide range of establishments such as the government, companies, economics, and the education systems. Stating that outside sources have no influence on the growth and development of children would be ignorant and wrong, but ultimately, it is the parent’s responsibility to provide a healthy yet, happy life for their child. The debate of who is blame for childhood obesity come down to agency versus structure, or more basically stated, freedom versus structure. By definition, the word agency refers to “the capacity of individuals to act independent and to make their own free choices” (Barker, 2003, p.448). The act of conceiving and furthermore, giving birth and raising a child is an act of independence. This act of independence places the responsibility of having a child solely upon the parent. Before the conception of a child, parents must understand the

With such factors as genetics, conception, development, and influence in relations to having a child, becoming a parent is not for everyone. It is no secret that humans live in a structured environment but ultimately, the act of raising a child is an act of agency. This act of independence places the responsibility of raising a child solely upon the caregiver. Parents must understand the responsibilities needed to give a child the life it needs and deserves. If a parent remain ignorant and blames others for their own failures of properly raise a child, they have no one else to blame but