I don't listen to fat people so...

[DaParkers]

I DO think fat people will be discriminated against. How can they not?

The CDC says smokers cost 96 BILLION in health care costs annually
Fat people 147 BILLION

In any given year (per the CDC) an overweight/obese person costs 42% more in health care costs than an average weight person.

And while it is not polite to say, two candidates walk in for a position in outside sales. One is average weight and one is obese. Who do you hire? This is a person who will interact with the public and represent the company.

Fat people? Maybe dumb people should be discriminated against. I would hire whomever had the better personality. I don't know about you, but I don't make purchasing decisions based on the salesperson's weight. And if you do, then you have more problems than that "fat" person that's trying to sell you something.

 

[FireDancer]

PrincessKsMom I wouldn't say I ever got fat but I did let myself go while I was in college and got a bit overweight. I decided to be proactive and nip it in the bud. My overall life philosophy is to try and stop problems before they start and this is how I formed my outlook on health in general.

I feel that our first line of defense against disease should be lifestyle, not doctors and drugs. I know everything I did in my 20's and what I do now in my 30's is going to effect my life in my 50's and 60's. I don't feel the time to think about hypertension in your 50's is when you go to the doctor and he tells you that you have it. It is in the decisions I make now. I feel that we could curb the need for so many expensive drugs that don't really cure us of anything but merely mask our symptoms by pre-planning and living more like our bodies are designed as opposed to how we do now.

I don't think that we can stop all disease by eating right, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body composition but we can stop a great deal of it. Sure, there will be people who contract diseases that require medication, maybe even for the rest of their life. Will we need the cocktail of drugs that most of us eventually take for every ailment under the sun? I say no.

To make a parallel lets look at smoking and lung cancer. If starting today no one smoked we wouldn't eradicate lung cancer but we would reduce its occurance significantly. Living healthier lifestyles would do the exact same thing for many diseases. It wouldn't end them but it would not only minimize their occurrence but it would drastically reduce the cost of healthcare. That is one of the main points that gets lost on all of our debating about the cost of healthcare, the relationship of cost to demand.

Sure, healthy people like Lance Armstrong will still get cancer and people in outstanding shape like Ryan Shay and Antonio Puerta will drop dead. There are always going to be outliers.

Weight is one important factor in overall health. Just like it is easier to never smoke or never do heroine than to quit either it is easier to nip weight problems in the bud than lose 50 pounds. That doesn't mean that you just keep on smoking or doing heroine instead of quitting because of the difficulty. When I decided I was not going to let my health spiral out of control I did some research and made life changes then and there. The day I decided was the last day I had a pop, added sugar to my coffee, or had a bacon double cheese burger for lunch. On the way home that day I walked in and joined a gym and dedicated myself to running a 5K. As I learned more I honed my lifestyle because I became more educated on how my body and our bodies in general worked.

I am not saying everyone should do this. As I stated I really don't care what other people do. But this is the point of view I come from and how I feel. I choose to set goals instead of make excuses. Sure, I could drop dead tomorrow. On the other hand, I could be my great grandma who shared a lot of the same philosophy I do on life and health and when she died at 102 didn't take a single solitary prescription drug for anything other than eye drops.

 

[Boxley]

Firedancer, While I agree with your post and you had stated some of the essential aspects of living a healthier life. It is not the best way to live and there are many aspects that contribute to this, besides bad habits, to be noted and ridiculed for your weight is a very hurtful thing and although you had managed to nip yourself in the bud, there are others who did not and so they face the hurt that is placed on them.

I don't direct this message to you, but to the general when I state that just because a person is thin, healthy-weight, overweight, obese or whatever body type, there should be respect. I think discriminating towards anyone is just plain wrong, you do not know their life and so what do you know of their struggle.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

MHM, I don't care why he said it either. Just deal with the issue at hand.

 

[FireDancer]

Firedancer, While I agree with your post and you had stated some of the essential aspects of living a healthier life. It is not the best way to live and there are many aspects that contribute to this, besides bad habits, to be noted and ridiculed for your weight is a very hurtful thing and although you had managed to nip yourself in the bud, there are others who did not and so they face the hurt that is placed on them.

I don't direct this message to you, but to the general when I state that just because a person is thin, healthy-weight, overweight, obese or whatever body type, there should be respect. I think discriminating towards anyone is just plain wrong, you do not know their life and so what do you know of their struggle.

I agree with everything you said. I don't know where anyone got the impression that I condone ridicule or discrimination. Weight is a hot button issue with people and often leaps are made. Just because I find weight important and am willing to point out hypocrisy on that issue or any other doesn't mean I condone ridicule.

People will live the lifestyles they want and I am fine with that. I pointed out my philosophy to provide context to what I believe. People struggle with all kind of issues like weight but I also think in many cases people make excuses. As a species we invented algebra, put a man on the moon, harnessed the power of the atom, and developed a telescope that can literally see the past. We are capable of doing hard things and I think people sell themselves short way too often.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Fat people? Maybe dumb people should be discriminated against. I would hire whomever had the better personality. I don't know about you, but I don't make purchasing decisions based on the salesperson's weight. And if you do, then you have more problems than that "fat" person that's trying to sell you something.

While I hae never hired anyone nor knowingly discriminated against a sales person on premise of weight alone...

It is a given that there is an undertone of discrimination as obese people will often have a more difficult time getting hired.

It happens already.

We can't buy from fat people if a company is unwilling to give them the opportunity to work.

 

[Boxley]

I agree with everything you said. I don't know where anyone got the impression that I condone ridicule or discrimination. Weight is a hot button issue with people and often leaps are made. Just because I find weight important and am willing to point out hypocrisy on that issue or any other doesn't mean I condone ridicule.

People will live the lifestyles they want and I am fine with that. I pointed out my philosophy to provide context to what I believe. People struggle with all kind of issues like weight but I also think in many cases people make excuses. As a species we invented algebra, put a man on the moon, harnessed the power of the atom, and developed a telescope that can literally see the past. We are capable of doing hard things and I think people sell themselves short way too often.

I think that with this subject of the child disrespecting his mother, that the statement that he did not have to listen to her because she was fat, did upset some people. To be honest, if my son had said that to me, we would have a LONG talk and he would have the time because he would be grounded. The child needs to be taught to respect his mother, but also that people come in different shapes. I agree, weight is a touchy subject and people do tend to take offense. I think that what upset people in this thread is that the child told his mother this and that alone speaks many things and that his mother should be respected no matter what her shape is. Of course, prejudice against overweight people was brought up also and that alone is a hot button.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Maybe I stand alone here but I don't care why he said it. He was rude and disrespectful! I cannot stand when kids are fresh and instead of correcting the kid they get all freudian on the child and wonder what might have triggered the child to behave that way. Seriously! Stop making excuses and parent!

I am more than willing to stand alone and say I do not beleive that good parenting is based on giving children the power to press your personal buttons. You hurt me with words so I'll hurt you back with physical force ?Not too mature in my book. Any 8 yo child is going to endlessly exploit this new power to make their parents lose control. Even punishment is worth the heady feeling of power! Trust me it is s lot less pleasurable for them to have to discuss why they felt the need to hurt and disrespect you, and rationally agree on the consequence next time they "forget". The parent has remained in control and there was no "drama" payoff. Of course if consequence also has to be calmy delivered when needed in the fututre. I beleive THAT is parenting.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am more than willing to stand alone and say I do not beleive that good parenting is based on giving children the power to press your personal buttons. You hurt me with words so I'll hurt you back with physical force ?Not too mature in my book. Any 8 yo child is going to endlessly exploit this new power to make their parents lose control. Even punishment is worth the heady feeling of power! Trust me it is s lot less pleasurable for them to have to discuss why they felt the need to hurt and disrespect you, and rationally agree on the consequence next time they "forget". The parent has remained in control and there was no "drama" payoff. Of course if consequence also has to be calmy delivered when needed in the fututre. I beleive THAT is parenting.

I didn't say to chain the kid to the boiler and beat him with a stick. I said that the parent needs to parent. I also don't give a fat/skinny rats behind if my child "agrees" to the rational consequence next time they "forget". I make the rules. It is not a discussion on what they think is fair. That is why I am the adult and they are the child. They will get punished and that doesn't mean I have lost control. I have simply decided that I find their behavior unacceptable and there is a consequence.
Yes, my children would have been told that their behavior was hurtful etc. but in the end they would have been punished for being disrespectful and mean. I don't need to yell and scream at them. The rules simply are what they are and they need to be followed. Speaking to anyone in that manner (especially your Mother) is disgusting. At 8 that kid knows it and is testing it. There is no way I would excuse that behavior.

 

[JerseyJanice]

While this thread seems to have devolved into a discussion about weight and smoking, the OP was really about an 8 year-old saying that he doesn't listen to his mother.

He could have said, "I don't listen to ugly people" or "I don't listen to blonde people" or "I don't listen to [fill in the blank] people." It doesn't matter what the insult was. An 8 year-old needs to be corrected when he says he doesn't need to listen to his mother. Period.

I hope the friend in this case isn't the type to allow her children to control her--for her sake and the child's as well.

 

[shortbun]

It's awful that her 8yo thought it appropriate to address her in that way. I have to say that as a 'fat person', I also find it just a bit humorous. I might have had to bite my lip to keep from laughing while I meted out his consequence.

 

[pandora174]

A co-worker posted on her FB page what she thought was hilarious this past Halloween. She bought raisins & regular candy, had 2 bowls, ready for trick or treaters. The "fat kids" she gave them raisins (so maybe they'd get the hint) & the thin kids she gave the regular candy (her exact words). I actually called her & asked if she was joking & she said, nope, she did this to send the parents a message & thought it would be funny too I told her she was mean & she laughed & said that's what her mother & roommate told her too & they are overweight as am I

 

[DaParkers]

I didn't say to chain the kid to the boiler and beat him with a stick. I said that the parent needs to parent. I also don't give a fat/skinny rats behind if my child "agrees" to the rational consequence next time they "forget". I make the rules. It is not a discussion on what they think is fair. That is why I am the adult and they are the child. They will get punished and that doesn't mean I have lost control. I have simply decided that I find their behavior unacceptable and there is a consequence.
Yes, my children would have been told that their behavior was hurtful etc. but in the end they would have been punished for being disrespectful and mean. I don't need to yell and scream at them. The rules simply are what they are and they need to be followed. Speaking to anyone in that manner (especially your Mother) is disgusting. At 8 that kid knows it and is testing it. There is no way I would excuse that behavior.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I didn't say to chain the kid to the boiler and beat him with a stick. I said that the parent needs to parent. I also don't give a fat/skinny rats behind if my child "agrees" to the rational consequence next time they "forget". I make the rules. It is not a discussion on what they think is fair. That is why I am the adult and they are the child. They will get punished and that doesn't mean I have lost control. I have simply decided that I find their behavior unacceptable and there is a consequence.
Yes, my children would have been told that their behavior was hurtful etc. but in the end they would have been punished for being disrespectful and mean. I don't need to yell and scream at them. The rules simply are what they are and they need to be followed. Speaking to anyone in that manner (especially your Mother) is disgusting. At 8 that kid knows it and is testing it. There is no way I would excuse that behavior.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I DO think fat people will be discriminated against. How can they not?

The CDC says smokers cost 96 BILLION in health care costs annually
Fat people 147 BILLION

In any given year (per the CDC) an overweight/obese person costs 42% more in health care costs than an average weight person.

And while it is not polite to say, two candidates walk in for a position in outside sales. One is average weight and one is obese. Who do you hire? This is a person who will interact with the public and represent the company.

I am overweight but loosing, there is a woman I work with who is not but takes time off work a lot because she is always ill, while I haven't taken a day off sick in over 20 years. Also the only medical treatment I have had is to take tablets to prevent that oh so messy monthy visiter on holiday so how much am I costing?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

A co-worker posted on her FB page what she thought was hilarious this past Halloween. She bought raisins & regular candy, had 2 bowls, ready for trick or treaters. The "fat kids" she gave them raisins (so maybe they'd get the hint) & the thin kids she gave the regular candy (her exact words). I actually called her & asked if she was joking & she said, nope, she did this to send the parents a message & thought it would be funny too I told her she was mean & she laughed & said that's what her mother & roommate told her too & they are overweight as am I

Wow, does she feel like she's a better person now that she's passed judgment on children? And does she not realize that is she was that concerned with children being overweight that she should have given EVERYONE raisins?

 

[teacups]

A co-worker posted on her FB page what she thought was hilarious this past Halloween. She bought raisins & regular candy, had 2 bowls, ready for trick or treaters. The "fat kids" she gave them raisins (so maybe they'd get the hint) & the thin kids she gave the regular candy (her exact words). I actually called her & asked if she was joking & she said, nope, she did this to send the parents a message & thought it would be funny too I told her she was mean & she laughed & said that's what her mother & roommate told her too & they are overweight as am I

Wow. She sounds GREAT. I bet when she was a kid she got baggies of poo poo in her plastic pumpkin.

 

[alexandria674]

Wow. She sounds GREAT. I bet when she was a kid she got baggies of poo poo in her plastic pumpkin.

She got a rock.

 

[teacups]

I agree with almost everything you said, except this line; "Fat is the last acceptable prejudice."

Smokers are the last acceptable prejudice from what I see and hear. It has become socially acceptable to humilate, berate and publicly ostricize a smoker.

Nope... sorry. Being a homeschool parent is the ULTIMATE acceptable prejudice. You would not believe the crap I hear from total morons.

 

[teacups]

She got a rock.

LOL! Love poor ol' Charlie!