Blaming the victim...

[SteveInBrooklyn]

The guilty party in this case is the parents for buying the product loaded up with the addictive drug.

Wait, when did this become about caffeine and not dental care?

It's about caffeine because if you sell an addicitve product to kids you are responsible for the health effects. That's basic morality, I think.

But why are only the parents guilty? Can't at least some kids buy it themselves?

 

[Jerseylicious]

I don't buy that the kids are buying it because of the caffeine addiction. They're buying it (IMO) because they are KIDS and they want SODA. It should be banned in the school entirely, for starters.

 

[luvsJack]

The problem with what some of you are saying is this: You are thinking about it from the way you see it; from the way you have grown up ,the things you have been exposed to, the things you have been taught in your lifetime. These are some of the poorest people in our country. They are generations poor. The have a completely different mind set than most of the people on this board.

A lot of you do sound completely cold-hearted. Its not a refusal to help themselves, its a lack of knowing any better. You can teach the kids in school all day long about dental hygiene, but if the parents don't know; how is that going to help? Without a parent helping them, buying what they need, simply saying "go brush your teeth"; do you seriously think the kid is going to because the teacher showed them how or gave them a toothbrush?

A PP stated that maybe MD is the thing that keeps them from feeling hungry. Have any of you ever been really hungry? Like with major hunger pangs and no way to eat a meal? Thats what some of these kids may feel every day. That MD sitting on their desk may take the place of breakfast and lunch. A can of MD is less than $1, can you eat 2 meals for $1? Its not a great solution, but what would you do if you knew your child was feeling those pangs and you couldn't provide a meal?

"they have TV but can't afford dental care"; did someone say they had cable? Last time I was aware one could still watch TV for free. And you are not seriously comparing the price of TV to that of going to the dentist? I have dental insurance and still have had to put off procedures at times until I get the money up. Seeing the dentist is expensive!

FTR, I do not think this is Pepsi's fault. I don't know that the kids are exactly victims, but I don't blame these people either. If Pepsi wanted to do the moral thing, they would go in and give out as much dental hygiene stuff and instruction as they can in the community so that they could reach the parents, not just the kids and getting dentists to come into the area to at least examine the kids. Pepsi and Coke want "drink wars"? Maybe they should see how many of these folks they can help.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Soooo would you have an age limit on soda? That's insane, if my responsible kid can't go buy himself one occasionally because other people can't control their children's intake that's total BS. If I buy him one as a treat would I then get in trouble because other people can't see that every day is too much? When Pepsi sells a product that my child occasionally drinks are the a bad guy then too? Should be ban Mountain Dew? Get rid of caffeine in all Sodas? None of that is fair to those of us that aren't stupid about it, and yes I said stupid. I don't care who you are or what kind of education you have nothing about any soft drink screams healthy enough to be your only drink.

Nah, I'm all about freedom. I would simply outlaw marketing addictive drugs to kids.

 

[wvjules]

Nah, I'm all about freedom. I would simply outlaw marketing addictive drugs to kids.

What does this have to do with their teeth rotting, the Mt. Dew being on their desks at school, their parents buying it for them, etc?

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

You can't be serious.

Yeah, caffeine is addictive. Drink lots of that crap and quit cold turkey and you'll have a headache. BTDT.

But kids aren't buying it in sufficient quantities to cause caffeine withdrawl - parents are. And Appalachain kids sure as hell aren't.

This is a joke, right?

I live in a poor neighborhood and I see kids buy soda and other things all the time. Something you may not know about poor folks is this: the poorer a family is, the more likely the kids have to fend for themselves. I've seen kids that couldn't have been older than 8 or 9 staying out literally ALL NIGHT on their own.

 

[wvjules]

The problem with what some of you are saying is this: You are thinking about it from the way you see it; from the way you have grown up ,the things you have been exposed to, the things you have been taught in your lifetime. These are some of the poorest people in our country. They are generations poor. The have a completely different mind set than most of the people on this board.

A lot of you do sound completely cold-hearted. Its not a refusal to help themselves, its a lack of knowing any better. You can teach the kids in school all day long about dental hygiene, but if the parents don't know; how is that going to help? Without a parent helping them, buying what they need, simply saying "go brush your teeth"; do you seriously think the kid is going to because the teacher showed them how or gave them a toothbrush?

A PP stated that maybe MD is the thing that keeps them from feeling hungry. Have any of you ever been really hungry? Like with major hunger pangs and no way to eat a meal? Thats what some of these kids may feel every day. That MD sitting on their desk may take the place of breakfast and lunch. A can of MD is less than $1, can you eat 2 meals for $1? Its not a great solution, but what would you do if you knew your child was feeling those pangs and you couldn't provide a meal?

"they have TV but can't afford dental care"; did someone say they had cable? Last time I was aware one could still watch TV for free. And you are not seriously comparing the price of TV to that of going to the dentist? I have dental insurance and still have had to put off procedures at times until I get the money up. Seeing the dentist is expensive!

FTR, I do not think this is Pepsi's fault. I don't know that the kids are exactly victims, but I don't blame these people either. If Pepsi wanted to do the moral thing, they would go in and give out as much dental hygiene stuff and instruction as they can in the community so that they could reach the parents, not just the kids and getting dentists to come into the area to at least examine the kids. Pepsi and Coke want "drink wars"? Maybe they should see how many of these folks they can help.

It is not Pepsi's responsibility to educate anyone on the effects of caffeine and sugar.

Oh and if they are that poor then they probably get free meals at school. Plus, $1 per can of Mt. Dew is $5 for the week. That is a loaf of bread, PB and J. A better alternative for the same price.

 

[browneyes106]

I think there are a lot of people who don't take oral hygenie seriously. My cousin is in dental school and he said that drinking soda or certain juices through straws helps protect teeth because there is a less contact with the fluids on the teeth.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

What does this have to do with their teeth rotting, the Mt. Dew being on their desks at school, their parents buying it for them, etc?

When something is addictive people tend to have a hard time stopping to use of it. Especially kids.

 

[TheZue]

But why are only the parents guilty? Can't at least some kids buy it themselves?

Because you're responsible for their well being until they are 18? Because they should have taught them some basic nutrition? Because unless they have a job they are probably getting the money if not the drinks from mom and dad? Because it's their job to teach them they don't need to buy everything that is advertised at them? Because it's their job to make sure they brush their teeth and have access to the proper equipment to do so? Because if their child is doing something that is harming them it's their job as parents and their protectors to step in and stop it? Because they should have taught them the importance of oral health? Because it's their job to ensure there are apropriate things in the home to eat and drink? Because it's their job to send them to school with apropriate things to eat and drink? Because they should notice that happening to their kids teeth before it's good for ratings? Because even if some dentists aren't taking your medicaid you should keep phoning around?

How is this absolutely not 100% the parents fault on so many levels? This makes me mad honestly.

 

[wvjules]

When something is addictive people tend to have a hard time stopping to use of it. Especially kids.

Where is it even stated that they are addicted to caffiene? Besides if that's the argument you want to use then an PP suggested tea. A whole box of tea bags is much cheaper than a 6-pack of soda.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Because you're responsible for their well being until they are 18? Because they should have taught them some basic nutrition? Because unless they have a job they are probably getting the money if not the drinks from mom and dad? Because it's their job to teach them they don't need to buy everything that is advertised at them? Because it's their job to make sure they brush their teeth and have access to the proper equipment to do so? Because if their child is doing something that is harming them it's their job as parents and their protectors to step in and stop it? Because they should have taught them the importance of oral health? Because it's their job to ensure there are apropriate things in the home to eat and drink? Because it's their job to send them to school with apropriate things to eat and drink? Because they should notice that happening to their kids teeth before it's good for ratings? Because even if some dentists aren't taking your medicaid you should keep phoning around?

How is this absolutely not 100% the parents fault on so many levels? This makes me mad honestly.

Wow, class really is a powerful thing in America. I'm really happy that you can do those things for your kids and that you can protect them so well. Your kids will have so many advantages in life, and that's great. But you do know that there are some people out there who don't have the means, the ability or the desire to take such good care of their kids. That's life. We have to accept it. Being angry will do nothing.

 

[npmommie]

They are most likely addicted to both the caffeine and the sugar in MD

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Where is it even stated that they are addicted to caffiene? Besides if that's the argument you want to use then an PP suggested tea. A whole box of tea bags is much cheaper than a 6-pack of soda.

How can they not bne addicted???? Mountain Dew has more caffeine than other sodas and these kids drink a lot of it!!!! If caffeine addiction were not an issue, why does Pepsi put so much of it in Mountain Dew?????

As for substituting it with tea:
-tea is difficult to make
-if a kid in a tough school brings a tea bag and makes tea he'll be beaten to a pulp
-tea isn't marketed to kids

 

[luvsJack]

It is not Pepsi's responsibility to educate anyone on the effects of caffeine and sugar.

Oh and if they are that poor then they probably get free meals at school. Plus, $1 per can of Mt. Dew is $5 for the week. That is a loaf of bread, PB and J. A better alternative for the same price.

If you will read what I posted, I did not say it was Pepsi's responsibility; I said if they wanted to do the ethical (acutally I said moral, but ethical would be the better word here) thing. Kinda like putting people before the all mighty dollar. I clearly said that I do not think it is Pepsi's fault.

These folks do not live week to week or paycheck to paycheck. They live hand to mouth. They need something in their tummies today--they do not have bread and PB. They have $1 (actually I pay .60 for a can of MD at the little store by my work). $1 will not buy anything to pay for food today. They are not worried about the week, they are worried about today. Maybe they do get free lunch, but can you get through your day with only what a school serves for lunch? My dd has complained all year that they don't serve enough food for lunch, she comes home starving--and thankfully I have a pantry and fridge full of good foods for her to eat. Can these parents say the same thing? I doubt it.

Too, I wonder about how little money the schools have in their budget and exactly what they are able to serve. Maybe someone with knowledge of the area could answer that.

AGAIN--I do not blame Pepsi.

 

[wvjules]

How can they not bne addicted???? Mountain Dew has more caffeine than other sodas and these kids drink a lot of it!!!! If caffeine addiction were not an issue, why does Pepsi put so much of it in Mountain Dew?????

As for substituting it with tea:
-tea is difficult to make
-if a kid in a tough school brings a tea bag and makes tea he'll be beaten to a pulp
-tea isn't marketed to kids

Tea is diffucult to make? boil water, add tea bag, put in ice...whooolaaa iced tea.

I'm talking about iced tea. I don't think these are "tough" shcools anyway. Atleast not inner city tough.

Tea is marketed to their parents....the ADULTS!!!!!!!!

Do you think all caffeinated drinks should be put behind the counter with the cigarettes and liquor?

 

[cheermom1]

Because you're responsible for their well being until they are 18? Because they should have taught them some basic nutrition? Because unless they have a job they are probably getting the money if not the drinks from mom and dad? Because it's their job to teach them they don't need to buy everything that is advertised at them? Because it's their job to make sure they brush their teeth and have access to the proper equipment to do so? Because if their child is doing something that is harming them it's their job as parents and their protectors to step in and stop it? Because they should have taught them the importance of oral health? Because it's their job to ensure there are apropriate things in the home to eat and drink? Because it's their job to send them to school with apropriate things to eat and drink? Because they should notice that happening to their kids teeth before it's good for ratings? Because even if some dentists aren't taking your medicaid you should keep phoning around?

How is this absolutely not 100% the parents fault on so many levels? This makes me mad honestly.

I agree very much with you.

as far as the one that said this (sorry i don't now how to do multi quotes)

Wow, class really is a powerful thing in America. I'm really happy that you can do those things for your kids and that you can protect them so well. Your kids will have so many advantages in life, and that's great. But you do know that there are some people out there who don't have the means, the ability or the desire to take such good care of their kids. That's life. We have to accept it. Being angry will do nothing.


the bolded is what gets me sorry but it's NOT the job of consumer companies to raise children it is their job to promote and sell their product period!! I'm still not understanding why we should shift the blame off of the parents in any situation. I have been so very poor that we sometimes ate bread and off to bed and we were often fending for ourselves while our parents worked. however we didn't get the luxury of pop most of the time! and IF these children are this poor then HOW do are they bombard with so much ads that HAVE to have MD? also IF the parents want to get out of the situation they are in the can we did!! oh wait it's called hard work i'm sorry i forgot! and as far as the parents not saying no that's just it they don't!! we were ALWAYS told no b/c we didn't have the money.

 

[luvsJack]

How can they not bne addicted???? Mountain Dew has more caffeine than other sodas and these kids drink a lot of it!!!! If caffeine addiction were not an issue, why does Pepsi put so much of it in Mountain Dew?????

As for substituting it with tea:
-tea is difficult to make
-if a kid in a tough school brings a tea bag and makes tea he'll be beaten to a pulp
-tea isn't marketed to kids[/QUOTE]

I agree. I have have at least 4 co-workers who are addicted to MD. Not just any soda and neither coffee or tea will replace it.

Also, these kids are probably getting up by themselves and getting their ownself off to school. Mom isn't gettin up, making pancakes and packing a cute little lunch. Its a lot easier for the kid to grab a MD then to fill a thermos with something.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Tea is diffucult to make? boil water, add tea bag, put in ice...whooolaaa iced tea.

I'm talking about iced tea. I don't think these are "tough" shcools anyway. Atleast not inner city tough.

Tea is marketed to their parents....the ADULTS!!!!!!!!

Do you think all caffeinated drinks should be put behind the counter with the cigarettes and liquor?

Nah, I just want to ban the marketing to kids of stuff that kills them.

 

[bluesaturn]

So does Mt. Dew need to come with a warning label now? May cause cavities, hyperactivity and addiction?

Nope. They don't really need to do anything, because as I stated before they aren't to blame.

They only thing that can be done is implementing some dental hygiene class and possibly nutrition classes as the school. Like how some inner city schools have set ups where health care information comes into the school.