Bad Neighbor Will Hand Out Shaming Letters to Chubby Kids on Halloween
Vying for the title of "worst house on the block," one North Dakota woman has decided to forego apples and toothbrushes this Halloween in favor of a letter chiding parents of "moderately obese" trick-or-treaters for letting their kids eat candy.
"You are probably wondering why your child has this note," the letter starts. "Have you ever heard the saying, 'It wakes a village to raise a child'?"
It continues:
You (sic) child is, in my opinion, moderately obese and should not be consuming sugar and treats to the extent of some children this Halloween season.
My hope is that you will step up as a parent and ration candy this Halloween and not allow your child to continue these unhealthy eating habits.
"I just want to send a message to the parents of kids that are really overweight," said the Fargo woman who phoned into a local radio station yesterday morning. "I think it's just really irresponsible of parents to send them out looking for free candy just 'cause all the other kids are doing it."
Identified only as "Cheryl," the letter writer went on to say she refuses to contribute to "their health problems" because she considers those kids "everybody's kids."
An assistant professor of Clinical Psychology who spoke with Valley News Live said the letter will likely do much more damage than any good by singling out children who are desperately trying to fit in.
"It's just that kind of thing that for some kids, if they're vulnerable, might trigger major problems," said Dr. Katie Gordon.
The professor also noted that it's impossible to judge someone's health "just by looking at them."
[There was a video here]
[H/T: Consumerist, screengrabs via Valley News Live, audio via Y94]