choices and influence
As a family we've really been trying to change our eating habits. We were doing pretty good, but exposure to a lot of different media about food convinced us we could do better. Who needs constant hormones, antibiotics and chemicals, after all?
It is so hard. Probably 90% or more of what is sold in the average supermarket is really not that good for us. But we are so used to eating that way - we've done it without thinking about it for so long.
Today I was thinking about how major problems, such as kids' obesity, is always thrown back on the parents. Sure major corporations spend billions of dollars trying to get you and your family to eat junk, watch TV and play video games. But just resist it! Have will power!
I'm not by any means abdicating parental responsibility. But it seems to me that there is something that is overlooked. We are a part of a society. We belong to a culture. Human beings are social creatures. To live in a moral and healthy way these days is to constantly be different than the majority of the population. That's not only hard, it is exhausting. In the past, society/culture has helped shaped good choices by promoting good norms. When 90% of your choices are good ones and only 10% are wrong or unhealthy, when those around you are supportive of good options, it's easier to make those choices.
Food corporations deny responsibility for obesity and other health issues. Manufacturers of violent video games and music glorifying death and destruction abslove themselves of blame for the violence we see around us. It's all in the choice of the individual, they say. But individuals are social. We are meant to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. When the individual is expected to constantly wade against a deluge that's going the opposite direction, it is ridiculous to think that many will succeed. We are meant to belong, not to be independent. The glorification of the independent individual is based on an impossibility.
There is a place to hold people accountable for their influence. There is a place to ask not only what is the individual's responsibility, but what is society's responsibility to the individual. Unless we address influence and not just ultimate choice, we will continue, as a society, to self-destruct.
It is so hard. Probably 90% or more of what is sold in the average supermarket is really not that good for us. But we are so used to eating that way - we've done it without thinking about it for so long.
Today I was thinking about how major problems, such as kids' obesity, is always thrown back on the parents. Sure major corporations spend billions of dollars trying to get you and your family to eat junk, watch TV and play video games. But just resist it! Have will power!
I'm not by any means abdicating parental responsibility. But it seems to me that there is something that is overlooked. We are a part of a society. We belong to a culture. Human beings are social creatures. To live in a moral and healthy way these days is to constantly be different than the majority of the population. That's not only hard, it is exhausting. In the past, society/culture has helped shaped good choices by promoting good norms. When 90% of your choices are good ones and only 10% are wrong or unhealthy, when those around you are supportive of good options, it's easier to make those choices.
Food corporations deny responsibility for obesity and other health issues. Manufacturers of violent video games and music glorifying death and destruction abslove themselves of blame for the violence we see around us. It's all in the choice of the individual, they say. But individuals are social. We are meant to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. When the individual is expected to constantly wade against a deluge that's going the opposite direction, it is ridiculous to think that many will succeed. We are meant to belong, not to be independent. The glorification of the independent individual is based on an impossibility.
There is a place to hold people accountable for their influence. There is a place to ask not only what is the individual's responsibility, but what is society's responsibility to the individual. Unless we address influence and not just ultimate choice, we will continue, as a society, to self-destruct.
posted by Jude | 8:03 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home