I’m sure that’s an answer, but what I was saying is people would say that bad parents wouldn’t bother to give the kids anything to take. I’m not saying it’s a good excuse for a school lunch program, I”m just telling you what they will say. And it’s true, there are parents who won’t bother. They will say they don’t have time, or they will tell the kids to make their own and they will forget or won’t bother. Right now the schools do give kids without a meal something to eat. Without a school lunch program they will either have to have something else there to feed them or just let them not eat. I suspect many teachers will just reach into their own pockets and feed them (I would) but I don’t know.
It’s just a thought. Look, we have taken care of people’s needs for so long I suspect there are large numbers of irresponsible people who would fall into this category. Anyway, it’s what the argument would be. And the answer “Well, it’s their kids, and their problem” will only get you called mean. Doesn’t matter if you’re right, it won’t get any traction with the public.
I think the best solution would be to let kids and their parents choose whether to bring or buy a lunch. If a child forgets their lunch once give them a free sandwich but if a kid frequently “forgets” their lunch the school should notify the authorities about a possible child abuse case. That was the policy when I was going to school and it seemed to work.
What’s wrong with asking a child to pack his/her own lunch? I started packing my lunch when I was in 1st grade. As for the kids forgetting to pack their lunch or being irresponsible I disagree. The ONLY time I ever forgot my lunch the free sandwich the school gave me was so disgusting I couldn’t even eat it. Fortunately, the other kids took pity on me and gave me their food. I’d say I learned a great deal about personal responsibility that day. I also learned that the only free lunches in life are the ones not worth having.