Should our son/daughter be Vegetarian?

Question

My boyfriend is a normal meat eater and I am a Vegetarian. He believes our child should be born a meat eater and then given the option to change diet at a later date. I don't believe in forcing my beliefs on anyone including a child but I would like our son/daughter to be raised vegetarian until he/she decides otherwise. Am I wrong to want to raise this baby as a vegetarian? Is he wrong to want to raise the child a meat eater? I respect his beliefs and do not expect him to give up meat but is it wrong to raise a vegetarian child when one parent is a meat eater? Please give your opinion.

Also has anyone else found themselves in the same situation and if so what did they do?

Many Thanks

Jade

X

Answer 1

you are wrong! Your son should be born eating meat and every other type of food until he chooses to be a vegetarian. That's how all vegetarians started before they chose to be what they are now. So don't tell your Son he can't eat meat. Give your child every type of food until he's old enough to talk and say I DON"T LIKE MEAT!( But not when you're pregnant cause you're vegetarian.

Answer 2

Bringing up a vegetarian child is healthy and not at all risky as long as you have a balanced diet program set out (a child needs more calcium) and when he/she is 6 months or more you need to be careful that the child has an adequate iron intake.  I haven't been in the situation yet (I am vegan living with a meat eater!!) but I think that I will bring up my kid up as a lactovegetarian until my child can choose for him/herself.  Vegetarians tend to be much healthier, but it is a decision that you need to take in two!!

Answer 3

You can either force your belief structure on your child

OR

Give them ALL the nutrients they need to grow up healthy and allow them to form their belief structure on their OWN when they are grown.

You are aware that a child needs FAR MORE nutrients then an adult and that feeding a child on a vegetarian diet and NOT making them deficient is nearly impossible…

I hope you are aware that if you do raise your child vegetarian and s/he doesn’t meet their growth standards and gets sickly you can and most likely will be charged with neglect and child abuse by the state since starving your child, even when trying to follow a belief structure like vegetarianism, is a crime and parents have accidentally KILLED their children trying to raise them vegetarian…

Do what is best for your child… Physically and mentally… And let them figure out life on their own once they are old enough to appreciate what free will really means.

If you force your belief structure on your child, they will rebel…

Children of republicans rebel by going Democrat…

Children of leftists, hippies, and vegetarians tend to rebel by going republican…

Keep that in mind when you try and force ANYTHING on your kid… It WILL back fire.

Answer 4

Whether you raise your child as an omnivore or vegetarian, you are still instilling beliefs in them, and choosing vegetarianism is no more "forcing" anything on them than would be omnivorism simply because one is less common. I would choose the healthiest diet for my children, one where I won't have to hide truths from them.

What will you tell your children when they ask you about their chicken sandwich, if it's the same as the once-living animal?

What about if they ask why we eat cows and not dogs?

If your boyfriend has your children's best interests at heart, surely he will agree that vegetarianism should be your choice for your children.

Answer 5

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! I wish you a happy and healthy one. Be sure to go talk to your doc about whether you need any extra supplements besides the usual... I know a gal whose baby sucked the calcium right out of her teeth, and she wasn't even veggie.

This is a really difficult question. I mean, one of you is going to be disappointed with the way your child winds up being raised vis-a-vis food. The problem here is that each of you is putting your own desires and beliefs before those of your partner. That is, you think your vegetarianism is better/more right than his meat-eating and the way you raise your child should reflect that. Similarly, he believes that meat-eating is better than vegetarianism and you should raise your child that way. You both have a right to your beliefs and you both have a right to have a say in how your child is raised.

Discussing your reasons for wanting to raise your child veg/non-veg would be a good start. You could talk to the doctor to address your concerns: maybe he's worried that your child won't get enough nutrition. Maybe you're concerned that he'll get hormones. The problem with bringing in ethical concerns at this stage is that by trying to have your child eat one way or another, you are rejecting (and in a tacit way, negatively judging) your partner's beliefs regarding what they eat. There is a significant risk that this will lead your child to follow suit with his or her attitudes towards the other parent.

Do you want your son or daughter to think that Daddy is a bad person because he eats meat, or that you're weird and unreasonable because you don't? I don't think so.

My best advice is that you should consider feeding your son or daughter in both ways... some vegetarian meals, and some meals that include meat. In order to lessen the environmental/ethical cost and reduce the amount of hormones, pesticides, etc that your child takes in, stick with naturally-raised, grass-fed meats and animal products. Do your best to keep meals similar (where you're all eating essentially the same thing, but you use a different type of protein) to keep family dinners more "family-like." Check out The Flexitarian Table for some ideas. It has recipes that can be made vegetarian or include meat, with only minor adjustments. It also tells you how to make both meals at once (you cook most everything, and add the meat or other protein in at the end, after dividing the sauce or whatever).

Good luck.  

Answer 6

Since you both disagree its really hard to say.

I would raise my own child veg and then when they are old enough or have moved out of my house they could eat whatever they wanted.

Who will cook for your child? Who will provide most or all of his/her meals?

If its you I would say provide your baby with veg meals whenever you can. Your boyfriend shuld understand that when you are cooking the meals they will be made the way you want them.

The same if he would be the one cooking.



Good luck and health to you,

annabell

Answer 7

raise the child as a meat eater so they will develop stronger and healthier, and then give him a choice. or when he/she is a baby give it meat and vegitarian food and see which one they like better.

Answer 8

I wish I was born vegetarian i was 12 when I went and it was pretty hard I have been VEGAN for 2 years now and I think it's easier to be veg and then eat meat ladder then the other way around so go vegans  

Answer 9

well we are all born omnivores so a natural diet would be vega nd meat...if the child wants to exclude meat then thats fine...but every1 is an omnivore then they change if they want...not the other way around

human are omnivores meaning meat and veg from our birth...then we choose not to eat meat....no one is born vegetarian its a choice

Answer 10

Raise your child as a vegan then let the child make the choice after explaining it. Veganism is the healthiest if done right, if you want to love your child and be good parents and want your child to grow healthy and be happy, veganism is the best way. Learn about vegan foods and nutrition!

Answer 11

No, raise the child with meat first, as humans are omnivores by nature. If you raise the child vegetarian you will deprive them of essential nutrients. Later on tell them about vegetarianism (truthfully, no propaganda videos from PETA), and then let them choose.

Why are all answers saying "Raise the child with meat first then give the child the choice later", getting thumbs down? Bigotry at its best.

See, I got them too. Thanks for proving my point you bigots.

Answer 12

Meat=poison, imho.

You should raise the kid veg.

Answer 13

meat eater!!!!!!

Answer 14

i think you should let the baby choose i mean no one is born a vegitarian....if your child decides later in life he or she doesn't want meat anymore you should raise him or her as a vegetarian but other wise just feed him or her meat unless he or she doesn't like it!

Answer 15

Let the child make the choice.

Answer 16

It wont get the proper nutrients. To raise it vegitarian would definitly be forcing your beliefs on it.

Answer 17

With careful menu planning, vegetarians can meet their nutritional needs using the Vegetarian Food Guide Pyramid.

A balanced vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, digestive problems, some cancers, kidney disease, kidney stones, and gallstones. It is important to know that a well-balanced vegetarian diet can also provide adequate protein.

People become vegetarians for a number of reasons: Religious, Ethical, and Food-Safety. Several religions prohibit or restrict the consumption of animal flesh; some people feel it is morally and ethically wrong to consume animals, because they view the practices in the modern animal industries as inhumane; there is also a great deal of concern about meat-handling practices, as contaminated meat is allowed into our food supply (example: Mad Cow Disease); and others practice vegetarianism because of its health benefits. Research over seven years has consistently shown that a varied and balanced vegetarian diet can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.

Although there are many great reasons for being a vegetarian, you should be guided by your personal philosophy. Ask yourself why you chose vegetarianism. I would then ask why your partner chooses meat. Weigh both reasons and then decide what would be best for the child.

Don't turn this into a contest. Make sure you both have the interest of the child in mind as your compare thoughts.

Answer 18

it would be healthier for the kid to eat veggies but the child is going to need meat for healthy nutrition that greens dont have

Answer 19

http://www.vegetarianteen.com/justparent...

http://www.vegetarianteen.com/family.sht...

http://www.vegetarianteen.com/nutrition....

I can only offer fact, this is a moral choose you must make. However, if I were in your shoes I would feed the kid as little meat as possible. Allowing him to eat meat if he wanted too but prepare veg* meals for him.

This is only because your partner has equal say and want the child to eat meat, compromise is the only way.

Answer 20

let'm eat as he pleases..

Answer 21

she should pick what she wants to do dont force her;

Answer 22

You can feed the child as much vegetarian food as you want, but you are having a child with someone that doesn't understand or seem to respect your beliefs. If he did, he would be fine with his child eating like his/her mother and he can eat whatever he wants to eat. Your child is more than likely to eat meat on a regular basis if he has anything to say about it.

It's kind of like men wanting their sons circumcised just because they were when they were a infant or child. Just because daddy has or does something, it is no excuse to continue to practice something so sick such as factory farming or circumcision. For some reason many men think of children as tools for making their own behavior acceptable by successfully having their children repeat it.

If he was going to go out and hunt a wild animal that lived a free and natural life as part of his culture or traditions and have your child eat part of that, there may be some room for discussion. I'm assuming that he wants your child to eat factory farmed meat and whatever fast food is popular where you live. If that is the case, there is no justification in him interfering with you raising your child to follow what you believe.

I don't know you, so I'm going to include the following, just in case it may help you with the upcoming battle and the health of you and your child.

Bread, pasta, cereal, rice, beans, peas, lentil, nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies can easily offer everything that you need except B12.

http://www.veganhealth.org/sh

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo

All vegetarians should take a B12 supplement regularly since most people eat meat, dairy AND fortified cereals yet still have a B12 status that is lower than recommended.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/b12

It may help you if you see proof that vegan people have the same potential as anyone else.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sto...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.macdanzig.net/bio.php

http://www.scottjurek.com/career.php

If you need meat or dairy during any stage of your life or to live any certain lifestyle, why does the American Dietetic Association say otherwise?

http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada...

Answer 23

Maybe you should try a little of both. Like formula or milk at first, but when she gets old enough to start eating regular food, feed her some vegetarian meals and some meat-eating meals. When she gets old enough, let her decide what she likes best. That way she will have tried some vegetarian food and some meat foods.  

Answer 24

Let the kid eat meat.  That is a normal diet for normal people.

Answer 25

i think u should try both......if he seems to like the vegitarian food better ppick that....if he seems to like meat pick that..... its not wrong to raise a vegetarian child wen one parent is a meat eater.....both of u aren't wrong its ur beliefs.....just let the baby decide for itself

Answer 26

~ What is his reason for wanting the child to eat meat?

Vegetarians are healthier, I would start her on the healthy route and if she does to go the other way, then so be it.  Why start her out on the wrong foot.  

People get so weird about eating or not eating meat.  There is nothing wrong with not eating meat and I think you should find out why he thinks it is so important.  I'm vegan, and when I met my husband he was a meat eater; he is now vegan too and can't believe he ever ate meat since he feels, looks and is so much healthier.

What is it with people thinking meat is healthy?  I don't think people realize or know much about green protein, seeds and fruit.  A long time ago the whole thing about needing lots of protein got into peoples heads and now it has become a run away belief.  People think of meat as a normal diet, but when it comes to food, as long as you have it, are full and are healthy, meat or no meat should not be such a huge deal.

Everything in health today says that Americans don't get enough fruits and veggies.  Nothing ever says people don't eat enough meat.  Yet, if all meat eaters are so normal, why is health such an issue and why is it every one is saying more fruit and veggies.  Our bodies need fruit and veggies, they do not NEED meat!  Give the child what it needs, if at an age they can understand the difference, and they decide to add meat to their diet, so be it.  It is easier to add, then to take away.  For a lot of people making the change to not eat meat is difficult since it is what you are used to, and socially engineered to believe is normal.

Answer 27

Raising a strictly vegetarian child will deprive it of vital proteins and nutrients. You can supply these through other ways, like vitamins or supplements, but they won't be the natural things your child truly needs to develop. You should raise your child with a balanced, omnivorous diet, and then let him or her decide once he or she can make that decision.

Answer 28

dont raise your child vegan, let him grow up enough to really understand the issue and then make his own decion.

you shouldn't even have to ask this. its a decision you made yourselves, why shouldn't he have the same option?

Let him eat like humans have been doing for thousands of years, then decide if he wants to be vegan

Answer 29

Well, I'm 12 and I ate chicken and fish all my life until I read this book called Thanking the Monkey by Karen Dawn. I suggest you ask your boyfriend to read it. It really changed my view of how we treat animals.

As for your current dilemma, well, I think that it would be easier to change from vegetarian to eating meat than vice versa.  

Answer 30

i think if i continue on being a vegetarian until i'm old enough to have a kid (i'm 15) then i'd want the child to be a vegetarian and then let the child make the choice to eat meat if it wanted to when its old enough to make the decision.  i wouldnt tell him/her that meat is bad and stuff, i'd just let him/her know where the meat came from and stuff and let the child decide whether or not he/she agrees with yours or your husbands point of view