Mom may lose her kids because she's Vegan

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) Jun 27th 2007 11:38AM

Categories: Eating & Nutrition, Development, Media

I've heard about parents being punished for overfeeding their kids, but I was surprised to read about this Mother, who may have her kids taken away from her because of her belief in an animal-free diet.

Gail Nelson-Folkerson's estranged husband Jeff has filed a court application seeking primary custody of their five children (quintuplets, no less), citing control issues and the fact that she will not allow the kids to eat meat, eggs or dairy.

Obviously, the Father sees Veganism as unhealthy for his kids, though vegans would disagree arduously, noting that animal-free diets teach animal compassion and respect for other life while avoiding hormones infused in animal products and also avoiding junk like hamburgers and gravy.

Though I am not a vegan (or vegetarian) myself, I have an insane amount of respect for people who are. I have been pondering it for years, tentatively dipping my toe in the waters, watching vegan friends and listening closely. I think that many vegans (aside, perhaps, from this couple) are responsible, in-tune human beings with a fierce love of the earth.

I hope that the parent who is better able to provide quality care is granted primary custody. It seems to me that veganism is an insane reason to have one's children removed from the house.

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Comments (13)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nancy Toby 6-27-2007 @ 12:08PM

It seems to me the pertinent question is whether the children are malnourished or not, and whether there are symptoms of orthorexia in the mother.

I don't see what people choose to eat or not eat is an act so worthy of respect. How they treat others and what they accomplish is how I determine whether they are respect-worthy, myself.

Kelly 6-27-2007 @ 12:49PM

Why not have joint custody and Dad can feed the little nippers whatever he wants when they are in his care?

Kathleen 6-27-2007 @ 1:03PM

Oh please, just because they live their lives different than the majority doesn't make it wrong. As long as they are getting the B vitamins they aren't getting by not eating meat than who cares!

Jason 6-27-2007 @ 1:21PM

If the kids are mal-nourished or under weight because of their vegan diet, then they should definitely be removed from their mother's care.

What do vegan's say about breast feeding? Just curious.

Uly 6-27-2007 @ 7:00PM

Nancy, respect is one of those words with a lot of different meanings. In this case, I suspect it means more "accept/tolerate" instead of more "revere/hold in awe".

Jason, vegans, to my knowledge, do not want to steal resources from animals. Mothers, however, *give* their milk to their babies. Breastmilk is totally vegan.

Crystal 6-28-2007 @ 11:29AM

They could be eating Lays Potato chips all day and calling themselves vegans. I think a nutritionist should be consulted to make sure they are getting everything that they need. If the mother cannot provide that, than they should be removed.
Jason- Breastfeeding is perfectly acceptable and ENCOURAGED by Vegans. Part of the reason I do not drink cows milk is because it is made/formulated for baby cows, NOT baby humans. My milk is made/formulated for my daughter.

Anji 6-27-2007 @ 2:22PM

Jason, vegans consider breast-feeding to be the best way to feed a child as far as I know. As nothing but a super-strict vegetarian I'm not a complete expert on veganism but I do have an idea of it.

Vegans don't eat dairy for many reasons - because it is unfair to forcibly take products from animals who cannot consent, because cow's milk is not designed for humans - how many people would feed giraffe milk to a human child, for example? It's just weird and disgusting - that's how many vegans see the drinking of cow's milk. Human milk, however, is designed for human babies and is given with the consent of the human in question, so therefore is a-ok.

Ann Adams 6-27-2007 @ 2:31PM

I'm not a vegan but as long as the kids are properly nourished (and I understand most vegan kids are), it's no business of mine and if that's the only reason for removing those kids, it's ridiculous.

kelly jeanie 6-27-2007 @ 2:46PM

It seems to me that this has less to do with veganism and more to do with a nasty divorce. If it wasn't his ex's eating habits, it would probably be something else.

Denise 6-27-2007 @ 6:53PM

I just love those veggie toys...does Nolan still play with them or are they passe? (LOL)

SKL 6-27-2007 @ 10:02PM

If a healthy vegan diet was the only issue here, I would be on the mom's side.

But if what the dad says is true, this lady really takes things too far. He says she doesn't let her kids visit their paternal grandparents because they have leather furniture. Come on - that's just mean. That's not teaching anyone compassion.

Also the complaint says he wants the kids evaluated because he feels they haven't been well-nourished and cared for. She's also been investigated twice by DFS. So, maybe she's not doing the job right. It's possible to develop a healthy vegan diet for growing kids, but it does require a lot of care and deep knowledge of nutrition.

I think she also has an ego thing going on because she has advertised herself as raising five vegans. If she relinquishes any control to the dad, who might feed them an ice cream or something horrible like that, that would knock her off the vegan pedestal.

Divorce is always ugly; this is just a new shade of ugly.

Michelle 6-29-2007 @ 4:43PM

I've read about the woman in question, she actually took an interview for a vegan site (google it, I don't remember). Many doctors have said she is feeding her kids right, they're growing proportionately, etc.

I see no reason for the father to be angry besides the fact that he doesn't believe in vegan diets or because of the leather furniture thing.

DAVIDTPENNINGTON 6-29-2007 @ 8:09AM

Ijust wonder how those poor tomatoe plants feel when someone steals its fruit to eat?

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