Taking Care of the Kids

It has been a while since I posted a blog here.  I just spent the last two weeks on jury duty in Adams County.  During my usual cruise through the Internet, there were many stories about how people just want to save the kids.  After the trial I just sat on, there should be more done.  Although I am not sure these things are what the kids need:
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that not only does sitting on the couch make kids obese, but all those bad fast food and junk food ads they watch "increase a child's desire to eat those types of foods."  (CNN.com)  Back in April, a New York City Democrat wanted to outlaw the happy meal and to "empower parents by making it harder for the fast food industry to target children with predatory marketing techniques." (TheQuirkyGlobe)


Another journal of Pediatrics has decided that it's not just the scary food ads that are hurting children.  Violence, no matter how violent, also has an impact on the sleeping habits of 3-5 year olds.  Michelle Garrison, Ph.D., with the Seattle Children's Research Institute suggests turning off the TV for an hour before kids go to bed. (CNN.com)


Now, California tried to take the violence on TV fight one step further and ban the sale of 'violent' video games.  The State "says it has a legal obligation to protect children from graphic interactive images when the industry has failed to do so."  The Supreme Court didn't agree with them and thought the law went too far with free speech rights and consumer protection.  (CNNcom)

So, why bring all this up today?  Well, the trial that I was a juror on the past two weeks says a lot about taking care of the kids.  20+ kids were left unsupervised -no parents around- on a Sunday night/Monday morning.  They were drinking and smoking pot and decided to have a "rumble".  The majority of these kids were under the age of 20.  During this rumble, one young man was struck by a car and then smacked around with a baseball bat.  Early that Monday morning, this 16 year old boy died.  One of the young men who struck him, who is now just 21 years old, will spend up to thirty years in prison.


Is it the Pediatric Academy or journals or State Government or even the Supreme Court's job to take care of the kids?  Not necessarily.  Ultimately it has to be the parents' responsibility.  Watch what they eat, monitor the TV and video game time, and maybe keep a little better eye on them.