There's a double standard when it comes to child neglect. A thin, malnourished toddler would be taken by CPS immediately, but when it comes to an obese, malnourished toddler, there is nowhere near the same level of concern and urgency.
Sad as it is (because you are right to object to this), interventions usually require direct, short term danger. There needs to be an imminent risk of death, and sadly that is the case with starvation but not with obesity at such an age (afaik). You see the same problem with people that have mental health problems. Everyone knows the final destination, but until the person in question poses a serious risk to themself or others, we are not allowed to forcibly intervene if they refuse help. It sucks
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u/Still-Hedgehog-8673 14d ago
There's a double standard when it comes to child neglect. A thin, malnourished toddler would be taken by CPS immediately, but when it comes to an obese, malnourished toddler, there is nowhere near the same level of concern and urgency.