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Slims · 11-02-2009, 08:15 PM

I suppose that by encouraging your child to eat at McDonalds in an educational setting they are taking responsibility for her future weight issues?

I am all for personal freedom and I don't assign any responsibility to McDonalds for trying to market. However, the school is responsible for their curriculum and what they choose to endorse.

Just as they would probably be held liable for working a fund-raising deal out with ACME super-powerful cherry bombs INC, I don't see much upside to encouraging fast-food consumption.

However, I disagree that all corporate influence and presence is bad...I believe Corporations are often symbols of excellence and professionalism and absolutely set a positive example for students.

For example, my elementary school was sponsored by EDS which provided computers (back when that was a big deal), books, mentors, etc. This relationship continued in some form or fashion through the local high schools. They provided positive role models who were also successful people, which is something the public school system is rarely able to provide.

What did EDS want out of the relationship? To encourage students to consider majoring in a science/engineering degree by providing access to the resources necessary to do so, and to then consider working for EDS.

In my opinion it was win-win, and it did not rely on the fall-back of parental responsibility.....Worst case children who were given whatever they wanted by their parents got computer science degrees and a good job. Worst case with McDonalds and the kid has a coronary before he is twenty.

In general I think PTA's would be far better served by using their time to lobby the local school board to enforce uncompromising standards, accountability, competition and excellence. We often refuse to recognize that in every competition (to include life, school, etc.) there must necessarily be losers. The solution is often to force those who are able to move at the pace of those who are not, and it needs to stop.

11-02-2009, 08:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	I suppose that by encouraging your child to eat at McDonalds in an educational setting they are taking responsibility for her future weight issues? I am all for personal freedom and I don't assign any responsibility to McDonalds for trying to market. However, the school is responsible for their curriculum and what they choose to endorse. Just as they would probably be held liable for working a fund-raising deal out with ACME super-powerful cherry bombs INC, I don't see much upside to encouraging fast-food consumption. However, I disagree that all corporate influence and presence is bad...I believe Corporations are often symbols of excellence and professionalism and absolutely set a positive example for students. For example, my elementary school was sponsored by EDS which provided computers (back when that was a big deal), books, mentors, etc. This relationship continued in some form or fashion through the local high schools. They provided positive role models who were also successful people, which is something the public school system is rarely able to provide. What did EDS want out of the relationship? To encourage students to consider majoring in a science/engineering degree by providing access to the resources necessary to do so, and to then consider working for EDS. In my opinion it was win-win, and it did not rely on the fall-back of parental responsibility.....Worst case children who were given whatever they wanted by their parents got computer science degrees and a good job. Worst case with McDonalds and the kid has a coronary before he is twenty. In general I think PTA's would be far better served by using their time to lobby the local school board to enforce uncompromising standards, accountability, competition and excellence. We often refuse to recognize that in every competition (to include life, school, etc.) there must necessarily be losers. The solution is often to force those who are able to move at the pace of those who are not, and it needs to stop. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence Last edited by Slims; 11-02-2009 at 08:20 PM..