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| Thursday, May 27, 2010 |
| Should Ronald McDonald retire? |
I’m really torn on this issue because I can see both sides. Yes, Ronald McDonald is a marketing tool that is geared specifically towards children. Yes, childhood obesity is on the rise and the consumption of fast food plays a role in this. But isn’t it the parents’ responsibility to control how often and how much fast food is consumed by their kids? Does the fast food clown really have that much power?
I read about the “Retire Ronald” campaign along with the history of the old clown and the McDonald’s corporation. Although Ronald is considered the spokesperson, it’s the McDonald’s corporation that brings the shadiness. How they place restaurants near schools and in hospitals. The free Happy Meals they offer for good grades. That’s not Ronald’s doing. He’s just a clown. A scary one at that!
As a child I was terrified of Ronald, so he in no way participated in my desire for fast food. In fact, I had to make sure he wasn’t around to even step foot inside a McD’s. I have a feeling that I wasn’t the only 5-year-old who felt this way. Even when I really wanted to complete my collection of Christmas Muppet Babies from the Happy Meal boxes, there was a tiny obstacle in my way. I was 5 and couldn’t drive. Nor did I have any money. My mom had the power and she was not shy about using it to say “NO”. Sadly, my collection remained one baby Kermit short of being complete, but I eventually got over it.
In the end, the parents are the ones with the control. They can teach their children how to balance healthy food and junk food. And most importantly, they have the power to say “NO”. Even if Ronald retires, McDonald’s isn’t going anywhere. I’m sure they will still entice kids to eat fries with their Happy Meal toys and celebrity endorsements. Why are we picking on poor Ronald?
McDonald’s latest comment on the “Retire Ronald” campaign is “there’s no way Ronald will retire!”
What do you think? Should Ronald retire?
- Eunice
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Sensei Talks: What’s In Your Fast Food?
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Labels: Childhood Obesity, Eunice, Fast Food
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posted by The Sensei Team @ Thursday, May 27, 2010   |
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| 5 Comments: |
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I totally think it's up to the parents. We can't blame everything on restaurants and marketing. I grew up with Ronald, but for us, McDonald's was a very rare treat. I mean RARE. We ate in. I know times are different and parents are busier than ever, but I don't think that's an excuse to skimp on the most important thing: healthy meals.
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Ronald is an icon of the icons of this nation. thats like trying to retire barbie just because she is a thin model lookin chic.Its not her fault she makes girls wanna be a size 1 or 2 just like its not ronalds fault that boys and girls alike want to stuff their fat faces and gain weight cause of all those happy meals they consume. KEEP RONALD IN MCDONALDS
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Awww girl!!! I always wanted that Kermie doll too!!! Since McDonalds was only a special treat in my house, I never got it!!!! Loved that Baby Miss Piggy doll though...woohoo!
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I think most real life Ronalds are 100x scarier than the cartoon versions. I think McD's should retire all the scary food they serve rather than Ronald. I mean, what if they had Ronald but served healthy, sustainable food? And, for kids, it is really the parents making the decisions about what they eat (or, it should be), so I think the parents choose McD's because it is cheap and easy rather than because the kids like Ronald. Do kids even like Ronald?? lol
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Poor Ronald. Why does he have to take the blame for the corporate Execs. sheesh
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I totally think it's up to the parents. We can't blame everything on restaurants and marketing. I grew up with Ronald, but for us, McDonald's was a very rare treat. I mean RARE. We ate in. I know times are different and parents are busier than ever, but I don't think that's an excuse to skimp on the most important thing: healthy meals.