Normally I'm the last person you'd find criticising anyone for making the environmental and ethical choice to give up meat. But lately, I've encountered a couple of people who are taking the granola eating, sock and sandal thing too far. I think it's perfectly do-able to have vegan children, but you need to do a little research and perhaps look into breast feeding.
May 09, 2007 10:53 AM
GREG BLUESTEIN
Associated Press
ATLANTA – A vegan couple was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for the death of their malnourished 6-week-old baby boy, who was fed a diet largely consisting of soy milk and apple juice.
Superior Court Judge L.A. McConnell imposed the sentences on Jade Sanders, 27, and Lamont Thomas, 31. Their son, Crown Shakur, weighed just 3 1/2 pounds when he died of starvation on April 25, 2004.
The couple was found guilty May 2 of malice murder, felony murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children.
A jury deliberated about seven hours before returning the guilty verdicts.
Defense lawyers said the first-time parents did the best they could while adhering to the lifestyle of vegans, who typically use no animal products.
They said Sanders and Thomas did not realize the baby, who was born at home, was in danger until minutes before he died.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
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8 comments:
Hey Jennifer,
That's horrendous.
On a lighter note, we've added Constant Inanity to our "Blog friends" link list . . . cheers!
Ian
I'm so flattered, thanks!
Thats shocking....
I dont know if I agree with this, or disagree....Im all for nourishment, and agree with what you said about doing research. And this article raises an interesting point. Becasue babies obviously need more than soy milk and apple jiuce to live on.
Im really torn about this. I understand the parents beliefs, and recognize that this is something they want to continue for their child...but babies need different foods, and nutrients then adults do....Any parent will tell you that, so I can see, from a legal point, how they say malnutrition...
I dunno Jenni...i really dont.
PP, it is possible to raise vegan children, there are entire cultural/religious tradtions who do it with no problem, the Jains in India are one example (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism).
Clearly the parents screwed up in a huge way. I agree with Jennifer though, a little research can go a long way. They should have consulted a Dr. familiar with this lifestyle or someone who has had experience with raising a vegan baby.
I have never heard about vegans not breast feeding:
1. It's consensual
2. It's not inter-species
3. It's so widely proven that breast feeding is very very very important for child health (and has reprecussions throughout the life cycle).
Yeesh - as if the vegans don't have a hard enough time already.
Pass the steak please.
My nephew was raised vegan for his first few years (he's now, Lacto-ovo vegetarian, I believe) and is growing tall and healthy.
Veganism is a tough diet to get right in contemporary north american culture. It takes discipline and requires a lot of research. But as jennifer says, a lot of people do it quite well.
The "vegan parents" in this article sound like serious assholes.
You know what else is totally crazy? This.
Ugh! I almost wish I hadn't watched it, but since I did, I'm now going to share it with all of you.
It's a snake-charming rite of passage in India. The cobra's fangs have been pulled and its mouth stitched up -- but still; Aaagh.
I guess kids really will do the darndest things.
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