By Augusta Statz
Six national newspapers published an open letter signed by a group of more than 550 health professionals and organizations pleading that McDonald’s get rid of the advertising that is enticing their children to eat McDonald’s “unhealthy” food. They want to abolish Ronald McDonald. The letter ran as an advertisement in papers on May 18, and the letter was discussed at McDonald’s corporate annual meeting on May 19.
The letter and a signed petition with more than 20,000 parent supporters certainly gives the McDonald’s corporation a lot to think about, but is what these people are petitioning completely necessary?
The writers and supporters of the letter want McDonald’s to get rid of Ronald McDonald and Happy Meal toys that make their children want to eat at McDonald’s. Do they have no control as parents? Just because McDonald’s is offering a toy does not mean that their children have to eat the meals. As far as Ronald McDonald is concerned, although I do think he is a little creepy, does he really play that big of a role in kid’s lives? Personally, I can’t remember the last time I saw Ronald McDonald on TV, or anywhere else for that matter. As a kid, I don’t remember wanting to eat at McDonald’s because of him, either. I just remember him being a friendly plastic sculpture at McDonald’s little play place.
I see Ronald McDonald and Happy Meal toys as harmless. If parents don’t want their kids eating McDonald’s food, they don’t have to take them to eat there. People blame McDonald’s for the world’s problem with obesity, and that’s just ridiculous. I don’t necessarily believe that people are fat just because they eat at McDonald’s. Happy Meals themselves are harmless, too. Although McDonald’s doesn’t offer the healthiest food in the world, it’s not always about what you’re eating, but how much of it you eat and how often you eat it. If McDonald’s is a once in a while type of treat for kids rather than a staple in their diet, I see nothing wrong.
Ronald McDonald and Happy Meal toys are not the causes of child obesity. The outcome of whether Ronald McDonald and Happy Meal toys are here to stay or not is unknown, but I vote that we keep them around.
Augusta Statz
