Question

Write a short counterclaim for the claim Michelle Obama is making in these remarks to the Grocery Manufacturers Association: "So this isn't surprising when studies show that even a single commercial can impact a child's brand preferences—and that kids who see foods advertised on TV are significantly more likely to ask for them at the store. So whatever we believe about personal responsibility and self-determination, I think we can all agree that it doesn't apply to kids. I think we can all agree that parents need more control over the products and messages their kids are exposed to. Parents are working hard to provide a healthy diet and to teach healthy habits—and we'd like to know that our efforts won't be undermined every time our children turn on the TV or see a flashy display in a store

Answer 1

A counterclaim for this claim could be this one: "If parents do not want their kids to watch TV commercials or to see flashy displays in a store that could entice them to ask insistently for the products that those commercials and displays advertise, consequently undermining the parents' efforts to provide a healthy diet and to teach them healthy habits, they can turn the TV off so the kids do not watch the commercials, they can avoid bringing them into the store so they cannot see the display, they can kindly refuse to buy (all) the products they ask for, or they can seat with them and explain to them that what they see on TV or in a flashy display is not always necessarily true and/or good for them."

Answer 2

TV is a big influence on our children's choices. But, I do agree, us as parents must lead our children's best interest in a healthy and wise direction.