The Cupcake Conflict

FCAs Lauren Cassella
1. Thesis statement December 22, 2010
2. Three reasons to support thesis English 6-1
3. Conclusion Persuasive Article-First Draft

Currently, many schools have banned special treats such as soda, ice cream and candy. But how far will schools go? Many elementary schools across the country have banned cupcakes, not allowing kids to celebrate their birthdays with them. Also, some officials say they are concerned about cupcakes causing kids to gain weight. They say it prevents kids who are allergic to ingredients in cupcakes from feeling left out. Although some people agree with officials, other people, like me, strongly disagree.
Firstly, kids don’t eat many cupcakes at home. 92% of the students surveyed at Herbert Hoover Middle School said they eat only one cupcake or less on a typical day. Also, the other 8% of people who eat more than one or less cupcakes a day will not gain weight if they work it off in gym class or participate in extracurricular activities. One of the concerns of eating cupcakes is that they are made with a lot of sugar, which has a lot of calories. However, the key to a balanced diet is self control. For example, if you can eat only one cupcake a day, and participate in exercise, you should be fine.
Secondly, kids should be able to celebrate their birthdays with cupcakes at school. If your birthday is on a school day, you should be able to choose what kind of treat to bring in. As you may know, some people are allergic to ingredients in cupcakes. But it matters what they are allergic to. For example, if someone is allergic to chocolate, they could have a different flavor cupcake, like vanilla. However, if they are allergic to a different ingredient all cupcakes must include, they could bring in a different treat, or simply say they can’t have one. 92% of people surveyed don’t have allergies, but everyone, including the people with allergies, thinks cupcakes shouldn’t be banned.
Lastly, some kids are prohibited to have cupcakes on a regular day, only on special occasions. For example, their parents might only let them eat them on people’s birthdays. So, in school might be the only time some kids eat them. What makes occasions special is that people partake in things they typically would not do on a regular day. If that is the case, why should cupcakes be banned from schools if some people rarely eat them at home?
Officials say cupcakes should be banned, but many people disagree. Because kids don’t eat a lot of cupcakes at home it won’t cause weight gain. Kids should be able to celebrate with cupcakes on their birthday if it is during the school year. And lastly, school might be the only time kids eat cupcakes. Kids should be allowed to celebrate special occasions with special treats.