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Parent Alarmed by KFC
July 18, 2006
Level with your child by being honest. Nobody spots a phony quicker than a child.
-Mary MacCrackent
-Mary MacCrackent
Swati Popat, director of Podar Jumbo Kids in Mumbai, India, shared with Exchange this letter from one of the parents in her program...
[Companies] like McDonalds and KFC sure think they know how to go about their business; they earn their revenues through child consumerism, and tempt our unsuspecting little tots through "Happy Meals." My three year old doesn't know to read ABC yet but he sure knows the McDonalds and KFC signs. Even though he hates burgers, he insists on getting into an outlet the moment he sees one �" just for the Happy Meals, which by the way are eaten entirely by me, while he enjoys the toy and ice cream.
Yesterday, Nivid dragged me to the new KFC outlet at Linking road, and as usual, while I chomped through his Happy Meal, or whatever they call it, Nivid busied himself with the toy provided. But instead of his usual enthusiasm at exploring a new toy, he actually pushed it away with disgust, I put it in my purse and we returned home, but he was still annoyed and unhappy with the toy. I wondered why.... It was a nice quality...nice colour plastic figurine of a hen in a chef's cap with a frying pan in her hand. There was a nice yellow and white fried egg on the pan, which you could toss up and down till the sunny side was up...interesting. But I still couldn't figure out why it upset my toddler so much; when I prodded him about it, here's what he said..
"Mamma, I'm your baby and you love me right...?" he asked, wanting some reassurance
"Of course..." I answered warmly with a hug.
"Egg is a baby chicken, then how can she cook her own baby?" he demanded to know, pointing a little finger at the hen, unable to hold back his tears. "Does it mean you and papa can also cook me to eat?" he wailed.
"It's only a toy...just for playing...don't bother about it," I tried to pacify him, a little shaken up myself.
"I don't like this toy �" it makes me sad." He burst into tears again.
When I thought about it later the same night, I realised he was indeed right. Here our kids have just been on the planet for two - three years, still learning about the ways of the world and here comes a money hungry [company] wooing them with dozens of hastily fabricated different types of toys, none of which are designed with any thought or sensitivity to a toddler or his impressionable mind. I wish I could scream at KFC to go count their chickens elsewhere!
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Comments (8)
Displaying All 8 CommentsMansfield, Ohio, United States
"Level with your child by being honest"--Mary MacCrackent. If this story is true and that is a big IF, why didn't the mother explain to this child that the hen's egg is NOT a baby chicken. Hens lay eggs every day and they would not become a baby chick because they are not fertilized. A child that is as intelligent as the story portrays would certainly understand that it would be wasteful to throw the hens eggs away or to let them rot.
Now that WOULD make the hen unhappy.
United States
This mother is contributing to the problem by continuing to purchase children's meals at these establishments. Also, what kind of parent allows themselves to be "dragged" about by their children?
United States
I'm having trouble believing this story. Both my girls were pretty cruel at three years old. A chicken cooking it's own child wouldn't have bothered them at all.
Colorado College Children's Center
Colorado springs, CO, United States
Before I even finished reading this article my first thought was "Who's in charge here!?" I am in complete agreement that the issue of young children being tempted by consumerism is an important issue for us all. But parents have the primary responsibility not to be "victims" if they are in disagreement with certain companies practices. Any parent who continues to be irrate over innapropriate toys but has actually gone to the establishment and purchased them on the demands of a toddler needs to consider their own parenting. It seems that parents are being held hostage by these "tiny tyrants" and are to afraid to suffer the discomfort of the child's tantrums. The implications of not being able to help guide your young children through the different values of society are serious. There will be many issues and values in today's world that may not be compatible with yours. The consequences of these choices will only become more serious to both the child and parent as the child grows. Lets not blame others for the lack of boundaries we place on our own children.
Child Development Center
Dodge City, KS, United States
A 3 yr. old telling his mother what to do, eating the dessert only, has, evidently. never eaten an egg and knows life comes from an egg has too much knowledge for his age and way too much power over the parent. He is a child and should not know all the "ways of the world" at this developmental stage.
He should be enjoying the play, the silliness, the story behind the character. Let him be a child, adulthood comes too soon as it is.
Knowledge Learning Corp
Fort Collins, CO, United States
When I read about the mother's concern about "KFC" children's meals, I was horrified. When did mothers loose control of their children? Just because a child wants a "Happy Meal" doesn't mean the mother has to jump to his demand.
I see this regularly among children where I work. The parent comes late to pick up the child, and bribes the child with fast food. Parents, where are your brains? Stop letting your child make decisions that could effect their health (and mental ability) for the rest of their lives.
And how does this child know so much about Fast Food? Try turning off (or getting rid of) the television and read a book or play outside.
Mothers, if you can't make good decisions for your child, don't be surprised when your child makes very bad decisions later in their life.
United States
Regardless of the marketing towards young children that these companies obviously demonstate, as both a parent and a consumer, you choose whether or not you will purchase their products. If you aren't happy with their choices for toys in the kids meals, then why do you frequently patronize their restaurants????
Amarillo, TX, United States
I am shocked by the statement that a toddler "dragged me" (the mother) to any place that she did not wish to go and that she ate the toddler's meal. I am an early childhood specialist and a mother of three. This mother needs some help with discipline and setting limits.
Since the mother obviously opened the meal first, she needs to preview the toy inside. Why not take your toddler to the toy store and buy something that you have researched and know is a good, fun and educational toy? Then you and your child will not be disappointed by the surprise toy in a child meal.
This whole letter makes me wonder why some people like to complain that a large company is taking advantage of them. This is the fix:
STOP COMPLAINING AND DO SOMETHING!
DO NOT PATRONIZE THE COMPANY!
WRITE A LETTER TO THE COMPANY!
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