4-24-07 From Kevin:

As we are such a media-led society, we tend to believe what is in the news. Much of the reporting is just that...reporting. And it misses the point. So...here is our jab at making sense of some of it.

News Item #1
USA Today: 'Helicopter' parents hover when kids job hunt
The article discusses the reality that many parents are accompanying, or even leading, their kids in the job hunt. And companies are catering to this.

Ya' know...checking out your kid's little league team and interviewing the coach is one thing. But by the time the kids is job hunting, especially if it's after college and the kid is 22 or so...we're past this. Now, being involved in your kid's life is commendable, and I appreciate that over someone who is not 'there' for their child. But this seems ludicrous. If I am hiring, I'm looking for someone who is independent and can produce results. The mere thought of their parents being involved would result in my hitting the trash can with their resume. It violates the very aspect of looking for a 'go getter' and a 'self-starter.' I can't imagine a kid not being fully embarrassed to include their parents in the job hunt process. Get your folks to open the door at a company where they know the owner...that's cool. But then you stand on your own and show your merit.

I fear this reeks of kids being less and less equipped for real life. We give them no responsibilities when they are young, we carry them through school, even through college, then all of the sudden they graduate and are supposed to stand on legs that we have never strengthened. My son is 11. I'll give him about three more years to be able to stand on his own. Make decisions, understand consequences, be self-sufficient and provide value.

News Item #2

CNN: Breast-feeding link to adult weight challenged

"While breast-feeding has many benefits, it won't prevent a child from becoming fat as an adult, says a new study that challenges dogma from U.S. health officials." The research is the largest study to date on breast-feeding and its effect on adult obesity.
"I'm the first to say breast-feeding is good. But I don't think it's the solution to reducing childhood or adult obesity," said the study's lead author, Karin Michels of Harvard Medical School.

I'm filing this under my *WTHDTHTDWI category. Since when does merit of breast feeding reside on obesity or not? If I do a study that says running 5 miles per day may not get you a date this Friday night...is that really the main benefit of running? I do it, and I have a guaranteed date every night!

Here is the deal. God created human beings. He crafted men to fertilize an egg in a woman, and a baby to grow in the woman's body. He gave the woman breasts that secrete milk so that within minutes of birth, a baby as a food source. You can check this perspective out amongst any mammal on earth...they all work the same. If you find a couple orangutan's at the zoo doing sign language to discuss whether they should breast feed...especially after the latest research that says it's not a cure-all for obesity later in life...let me know. Until then, it's pretty obvious that babies are supposed to be breast fed. If you don't want your kid to be obese, don't stock up on cocoa puffs, cheetos and canned ravioli.

*What The Hell Does That Have To Do With It?!