Raising Vegan children who want to eat meat.?

Question

Vegan parents of vegan/vegetarian children would you let your kids eat meat if they expressed to you that they wanted to try it?

Of course if you agreed to it it would probably be organic free range meats and dairty. Would you still let them try meats and dairy?

I personally would, my parents were semi supportive when I became a vegetarian at 16. I would def let them try it and even if they wanted to stick with it I would be okay. Although they would only eat organic free range meats and dairy. I know about the peers at school when they are young so I would have them wait until they are at least a teenager.

Your thoughs and opinions?

Answer 1

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor animals!!!!! Don't let them eat meat!!

Answer 2

No.

Of course not.

Anyone who says different has things all backwards.

Giving your children certain choices in life is fine, but certain things cross that line.

See, eating animal products is no different than say, smoking, drinking, eating junk food.  Sure, when they are older, they can do whatever the h**l they want, but when they are young, it's my job to step in and help them make the correct choices as I see them -- that's what parents are for.  To explain the options, the consequences, the ramifications, etc.  Just stepping in and saying, "No," is not enough.  Children are not too young to understand, and if they don't understand, if you explain it well, they will think about it and understand later.  As children, they must trust the judgement of the parents.  If they know something is bad for them but want to try anyway, too bad.  They constantly want to eat things they find on the ground... I don't allow it.. and if there were 25 my opinion on the matter would be no different -- good is good, bad is bad, right is right, wrong is wrong.

It seems by your question that you are assuming that meat is fine for one's health (as long as it's organic free range etc.), it is just not morally a good choice.  So, you would allow your children to go against your moral principles?  What kind of parent are you?  That's not the right way to be a parent.

See, another problem is that parents will partake in things such as certain foods that they will not allow the children to have.  For example, the parent who eats potato chips but tells the children that they are too young for such things.  So, of course they want to try it, and plan to try it when they get older, or even when you are not looking.  I lead by example -- everything I eat then can also eat.  If I eat something that really is suitable for adults but not children, then I explain it to them why, but of course try not to eat such things around them.

So, hey, my kids want to try smoking... they are of legal age... will I go buy a pack of cigs for them to try and because it is their choice, just step back and say, "Well, it's your choice..."  No way, I'm going to step in and say something -- its my duty as a parent.  I don't give a d**n if the cigarettes are eco-orgainic-fair trade... If they want to rebel and do the opposite of everything I say, so be it, but I am not just going to sit idly by while they do something harmful to themselves because it is 'their choice'.  When it comes to children, the PARENT gives the children choices, and the children choose from those choices.  They may propose alternatives, but ultimately it's up to the parent to decide.

I think that humans should not eat animal products.  We are not 'designed' to consume such things and because of this such products contribute to ill health.  Not only that, but the killing of animals is not needed, not for flavour, not for survival, not for anything we need.  Therefore, no, my children may not eat it.

Answer 3

i would. my mom let me make a decision not to eat meat, so i would let them decide to eat meat, personal choice what to eat

Answer 4

On principle, I don't see why they should. Parents (should)pass on to their children values they believe in and what they see as the best way to live. I don't expect vegan parents even considering meat consumption as the best for their children. On principle that is.

In practice, many vegan parents give their children omni diets early then expose them to vegetarian and vegan diets/principles later on. Ultimately, it would be the child's choice though that often has to wait until they are old enough.

Whatever diet/lifetsyle the parents believe in is immaterial.  They do and tell their children to do what they think is best. That is their responsibility. Outside of being immoral or illegal according to communty standars and laws, none can tell them how they should run theri households and how they should bring up their offspring. Children who choose to defy their parents have one real albeit impractical and unrealiastic option: strike out on their own.  And even then, the parents ar usually held accountable for actions committed by minors.

Answer 5

I am in agreement with you.

Answer 6

I let my daughter make the choice for herself.  I gave her the basic facts about it, and let her decide.  She decided to go veggie, and has been thriving on a veggie diet for most of her life-she is now 13, and still very commited to being vegetarian.  If at any time she decided to eat meat, I would support her choice, but YES, it would most definitely be organic, free ranged meat.  She drinks fresh raw milk from our cow, and I make yogurt, butter and cheese with it.  She also enjoys eggs from our free range hens.  Its good for her to know where her food comes from, and what goes into caring for an animal.  I would discourage her from eating any commercial meat or dairy, since its full of growth hormones, steroids, antibiotics, and other nasty stuff that we choose not to eat.  I think kids should be given a choice-but they should be given accurate facts to help them make a decision.

Answer 7

Let the children follow & make there own choices.Theres no need to force anything on them.Maybe they will decide to turn vegan

Answer 8

I was brought up eating meat by two veggie parents, until I made my own choice, so can't directly relate to being brought up veggie and wanting meat, but if they want to eat meat, you may as well help them by getting free range etc, because kids will do whatever the h**l they want :p If they want meat, they'll walk back from school and hit up a MaccyD's on route.  So I say go for it, although before you do so, have a sit down talk about the reasons they want to start eating meat and say you'll support them, but try and work out what the reasons are such as peer pressure, just a whim, or if they actually want to do it.

Answer 9

I would let them eat whatever they want. because at school lunch for example, some schools make them eat most of their lunch so if they coulnt eat meat, you could talk to the teacher i am sure, but what about the other kids? they would be mad. if they didnt have to eat everything, maybe when they get to 3rd grade or an age where they get to be a little mean and when the 'groups' start to form, your kids could get picked on if you made them. so i would let it be thier choice, not yours.

Answer 10

I'm a vegetarian, and my future kids have the right to eat whatever they want ( within reason, i dont want them eating ice cream every meal ). But I will give them the choice between being vegetarian/vegan and eating meat. They have the right to. I will however encourage them to atleast give the lifestyle a try. But I won't force the situation.