In recent years, the topic of young children’s eating habits has sparked much debate. While some people argue that schools should a social responsibility to encourage young children do not to eat unhealthy food, I think that parents should take responsibility for children’s eating habits.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why some people support responsibility of school. The most apparent justification is that schools can regulate food environment. This is because school should control the food environment. School authorities should restrictive sale of unhealthy foods, such as junk food and fast food. For instance, in Japan, many schools do not bring unhealthy food, because do not allowed by school. School authority can provide daily healthy foods, children are likely to follow this rule. When children do not follow school’s rules, schools authority punish them. Peer influence could be another factor. In addition, children are often more likely to adapt positive habits, when healthy eating is promoted among their classmates. For example, children may become interested in the food their peer eat, when their peers takes unusual good or food from cafeteria. In this condition children want to try out. However, if this situation repeats on a regular basis, it has a negative impact on children’s life.
On the other hand, I am in a favor consider that habits begin at home, as this standpoint appears more beneficial in the long term. Firstly, parents should control their children eating habits are first set up in the home environment. Because, parents should responsible their children’s life. If parents can bring daily healthy product and prepare healthy food for children, preparing home-cooked meals can help children develop healthier eating habits. For instance, in Brazil, family meals are often considered an important daily routine, which helps children become accustomed to home-cooked meal instead of unhealthy food. Secondly, parents act as role models and their children are likely to imitate the behavior of their parents. Because, adults serve as powerful role models in shaping food preferences. For example, a study in Malaysia underlined that parental food choices strongly influence how frequently children consume unhealthy food, especially junk food. If parents often consume fast or junk food, children might also accept this is a normal occurrence.
To conclude, although there are valid arguments supporting schools should social responsibility to encourage young children do not eat unhealthy food, I agree with those who believe that parents should take the responsibility for children’s eating habits.