Brothers & Sisters and Lying About Peanuts
Early in last night's episode of ABC's Brothers & Sisters came a throwaway line that stopped me cold. I had to rewind to make sure I had understood correctly what Sarah, played by Rachel Griffiths (right), said to her daughter, Paige. And sure enough, I heard it right: Sarah was making a peanut-butter sandwich for Paige's lunch, since her visiting brother had eaten all the turkey. Paige pointed out that the school was peanut-free. And Sarah, practical Sarah, character who often represents the good and sensible on this show, told her daughter to just tell the teacher it was soy butter.
Ack! No!
This is one of the arguments against peanut-free schools, I suppose, that parents will sneak peanuts in and endanger allergic children who have a false sense of safety. Maybe somebody on the writer's staff wanted to make that point. But here we had a kid who was speaking up for the rules -- I'd have much preferred it if her grumbling mother had to give her some weird non-peanut lunch, or lunch money, instead of telling her daughter to lie. (As fans of this show know, nothing good comes of it when Walkers lie.)
I tend to discount the ability of entertainment programs to persuade people to do something harmful, but just in case, let me make this point: Moms, I don't care if your brother who has been indicted for embezzlement is sleeping on your couch, and your other brother who has just broken up with his girlfriend who used to be his half-sister is eating the contents of your refrigerator, and you're stressed because your late father's mistress has taken over your family company and his illegitimate son from another mistress has just been introduced to your family -- no matter what, do not send peanut butter to a peanut-free school disguised as soy butter. Don't you have enough problems without maybe killing a peanut-allergic child?
The Brothers & Sisters message board on ABC.com is already buzzing with comments about the line. If you have a child with peanut allergies, stop by and add your opinion. Want to see the episode for yourself first? It's available today on the ABC Full Episode Player. The scene in question is at the very beginning.
More on Peanut Allergies: Preparing the School for Your Child With a Peanut Allergy | First Five Things to Do After Your Child Is Diagnosed With a Peanut Allergy | Peanut-Butter Ban Stirs Up Strong Opinions
Photo by Kane Hibberd/Getty Images
I went to school where kids had allergies to peanuts and the rest of the school was not penalized for it. I think that we are pushing this way out of proportion, the kids that have the allergies know not to touch it. Are they going to ban milk too, some kids are lactose intolerant, as parents, we have to explain to our children what is expected of them. Why would the schools make these decisions for the rest of the population.
First of all, people who are lactose intolerant don’t die when they come into contact with milk. You can’t say the same for peanut allergies, which have the highest incidence of fatalities. It’s a false analogy.
I recently took a 13 hour flight with my peanut allergic 5-year old daughter and heard a similar argument to Sury’s. When the flight attendants asked the passengers in the seats around us not to eat peanuts, one fellow complained about not being able to have his chosen snack. My response: “Well, if you’d rather have your plane detour to the nearest available airport when my daughter has an allergic reaction, chomp away!”
We each live in a community. That community will be stronger if we care about and support each member. Sometimes that involves flexibility and, yes, perhaps even saving your favorite lunch for the weekends.
Have you tried soy butter? It’s pretty darn good and lower fat than peanut butter. Your kids will be healthier and won’t risk killing their peanut-allergic classmates.
I saw that too, and was equally shocked! (ok, it IS only tv, but still.) Yes, the peanut-free business annoys me sometimes, but all I have to do is put myself in their shoes. There have been alot of concessions made for my kid for various reasons, I should be able to handle not sending peanut butter sandwiches to school. And, if all your kid will eat is peanut butter, and they’re a grade schooler…you’ve got other issues that need to be dealt with!
I saw the episode that I had DVR’d and was absolutely shocked when I heard the comment and had to rewind to listen again myself. I was fusrious, and then watched the rest of the episode thinking that maybe the comment had a a purpose and that later in the show a lesson would be learned. But no, nothing. The comment was just nongratuitous! I am appalled at the irresposibility of abc and their writers! I have written to abc. com but they limit the comments to 500 words and of course will never respond.