Most States Shame Kids Who Can’t Pay for School Lunch — This Needs to Change

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Many states across the U.S. continue to shame children who lack the funds for school lunches, and this practice must end. In a positive development, Oregon has taken a bold step by following New Mexico’s example and unanimously passing a law to eliminate lunch shaming. It’s refreshing to see lawmakers prioritize compassion; after all, punishing hungry children is simply unacceptable.

Oregon’s New Bill

Under the new bill, the National School Lunch Program in Oregon will ensure that every student receives the same lunch, regardless of their family’s financial situation. This means that children who cannot afford lunch will not be given lesser alternatives or made to feel singled out by school staff. Every child deserves to enjoy a meal free from embarrassment.

The Widespread Issue of Lunch Shaming

Sadly, lunch shaming has become a widespread issue in schools across the nation. For instance, a school in Phoenix faced backlash for literally branding students with the words “Lunch Money” when their accounts were low. In another case, a cafeteria worker in Pittsburgh quit after being directed to discard a first-grader’s lunch and replace it with a meager cheese sandwich due to insufficient funds.

It’s disheartening to think that young children are punished for circumstances beyond their control. Ensuring that all students have access to nutritious meals should be a fundamental priority in our society. Legislative changes like those seen in Oregon and New Mexico are crucial to protecting students from being publicly humiliated when they can’t afford lunch. There’s absolutely no justification for throwing away a meal that could have fed a hungry child.

The Impact on Families

Not every parent can pack a lunch every day, nor can all families afford daily meals. So why should innocent children suffer due to their parents’ financial hardships or negligence? It’s simply cruel and amounts to a form of abuse when children are singled out and embarrassed by having their meals discarded or being marked inappropriately.

Hope for Change

We can only hope that more states will follow in Oregon’s footsteps. California and Texas are already working on their own anti-shaming legislation, highlighting the growing recognition that well-fed children who are not subjected to public humiliation can lead to positive outcomes for everyone involved.

Additional Resources

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Conclusion

In summary, it is high time we put an end to the practice of lunch shaming in schools. Every child deserves a meal without stigma, and supportive policies are essential to achieve that goal.

Keyphrase: end lunch shaming in schools

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