Halloween Celiac Stereotypes

[kenlove]

just wondered how people  react to this type of cartoon.  Sure its funny  but with the increase of the fad, does it do us any good or cause more problems when these things appear?

 

[StephanieL]

Honestly, I don't like it. It makes it look like these are choices for some kids which it isn't. I wouldn't ever send a vegan kid out with the expectation that they can ask for special things. It's a "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit" thing for me.  Now I do "intercept" or tell my kiddo not to even tough the nutty things.  Because of allergies we actually don't allow them to keep any of the candy they get (the Switch Witch comes with small toys for them in place of the candy) and they get some safe things from us.  But if they went out and specifically ASKED for XYZ, it would be the last time they went out. 

[bartfull]

But you know, in the grand scheme of things, the cartoon is (in a way) pointing out that America has become more health conscious, and that can only be a good thing.

[nvsmom]

To me, it seems to be poking fun at the egocentric way of things now a days.  It seems that people want it their way, with a sense of entitlement, and feel that they should be accommodated.  I'm not saying that it isn't great to try to accommodate people but for those people without a food issue, these food problems won't be on their radar; asking to be accommodated in certain places (like trick or treating) would be beyond their level of understanding... so they poke fun back.

 

I'm babbling. This joke seems to be about how people want other people to look after them even when they should be looking out for them selves, its just geared at food issues.... Can you tell I'm a conservative?  LOL  

[BlessedMommy]

Yes, I think that no matter whether a person's food issue is voluntary, medical, or religious, they have an obligation to look out for their selves. 

[InterstellarallergyGal]

​I liked it in a way that it makes a point of American consumers because we have become more conscious to the food allergy movement. However, it also takes on the side that children are as easily related to the food movement topic as adults are. Although there are children with food allergy, not all take on this role in steering clear from the foods and its also a sad statement in the way that it represents the kids who can't go trick-or-treating normally. I would have been devastated as a child knowing that I couldn't eat candy, let alone revolve my life around what not to eat. It reminds me of a post I had got on Facebook about people with celiacs disease, saying " I have celiac disease, but the new gluten-free fad makes me sounds like a pretentious hipster."

[SMRI]

I'd be mortified if my child went to someone's house T or T'ing and asked for specific candy.  If they had issues with food for whatever reason, we'd deal with that at home.  Health conscious or not, it's just rude.  I think the cartoon is more related to the turn our society is making into the the "all about me" mentality people have.

[Brandiwine]

I posted this on facebook the week before Halloween, I just thought it kinda funny and had a good point behind it such as the rising food allergies in our children. The comments I received I didn't take kindly to. Like it was a burden, like we choose to be gluten free or dairy free just because. My children Trick-or-Treat and when we get home we separate out what they can't have and they trade with their cousins for candy they can have. It bugs me that they see it like we are the problem.

[WinterSong]

I don't like it. What is a gender neutral candy? There are kids who will die if they accidentally eat a candy that has nuts in it. If you want candies that are 100% organic or do not have barbies or race cars plastered across the wrapper, go buy your own.

 

And I'm not trying to say anything mean about anyone and their specific life choices or the way they were born. But I had kids ask me this year if I had any candies that didn't have gluten or dairy in them because they had food intolerances. I thought that was really empowering for a child to be able to take responsibility for their own health like that. 

 

Yes, this is a cartoon poking fun at society (it's not necessarily about kids or Halloween), about how everyone wants something different and customized. But I feel like it's playing into the idea that everyone is picky. It doesn't comment that some of us have a life threatening disease.

[Googles]

I don't think it is funny. While we can see it as a comment on the larger aspects of society, kids with celiac (and other medical conditions) are bullied by other kids enough. They don't need to be made fun of by adults too. Even if it is social commentary. A kid who sees this isn't going to see the social commentary, just another thing that shows it is okay to make fund of kids with celiac. 

[Celiac Ninja]

Seems funny, obviously I wouldn't go trick or treating with my specific allergies, that'd be stupid. I'd buy my own specific treats and not bother anyone else. Celiac's could just have a specialty Hallow-Treat party at home, baking specific dishes that simple but tasty, using proper precautions of course. Then invite friends/family with specific issues. AND HAVE A TREAT!