One of the things that has always disgusted me when I turn on the television is the amount of reality television involving children, usually under the age of ten. Most of them tend to involve competitions where the children are subjected to dressing up in outfits they don't really want to be in, prancing around on stage, and waiting to be judged. It really makes me wonder, are we supposed to "let kids be kids", or are they growing up quicker and quicker by the day in today's world? What are we teaching them when we put them in competitions? Are we letting them know that it is okay to let someone else judge you, or is it all in good fun?
Another great example of exploiting your child is TLC's
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. In my opinion, if there is one program that doesn't belong on television, that would be it. To me, this is a mother that has no concern for her children whatsoever, that she decides to allow her to drink a concoction of Mountain Dew and Red Bull, and when criticized of her child's diet, she retorts with "There are far worse things...I could be giving her alcohol." What mother would say that? Why should that thought even have crossed her mind?
I am
not the perfect mother, nowhere near it. I honestly do not believe that "the perfect mother" exists at all. No one is perfect, and every single person on this earth will make a mistake somewhere over the course of their lives. However, with exploiting your children on reality television, there is a difference between making a mistake, and then just continuing to do it over and over again. But that again, is just my opinion.
How do you feel about children on reality television programming?Image Source
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Comments (7)
I despise all reality tv. I truly don't understand why our society has this sick, twisted need to sit back and enjoy watching other people's lives fall apart on camera. Would anybody watch a reality show where the family is happy all the time? No, that would be boring, right? With the exception of The Duggars (who are only popular because they have an incredible amount of offspring), we'd rather watch hearts being broken, spouses cheating, children acting like monsters.... I dunno, I just find it grotesque. What really bothers me is when children are involved, mainly because I don't feel they are mature enough to truly make a decision about whether or not they want their lives filmed (if they're even given a choice in the matter). Navigating through the adolescent years is tough enough without a camera in your face and the whole world watching. I realize some families rely on these reality shows to support their families, but I don't have sympathy for them at all. For example, John and Kate G. They had 8 children with the help of fertility treatments. We all know fertility treatments can result in the birth of multiples, they knew that too. They knew what they would be facing, and should have planned for that better. Now, I'm not saying those sweet little ones weren't worth it, but I truly feel their parents were irresponsible. What would they have done if none of the networks wanted to take them on? What would all these parents do without the reality tv craze? Call me insensitive, but I think if you're going to bring children into this world, you should be able to provide for them. Otherwise, use contraception.
Being a mother who is far from perfect, the last thing I would want is all my bad moments caught on tape and then aired for the rest of the world to judge me. I am harsh enough on myself, I don't need the scrutiny from others as well.
Extremely frightful!
I despise reality tv, anyway. There's not a single bit of it that's "real," it's all scripted and arranged to get ratings. And there really are far worse things to give a child than Mountain Dew and Red Bull. I'm not about to get my panties in a twist over the mother's response to criticism, because she's technically right.
@MyOneReason@xanga - I agree with you completely!
"Most of them tend to involve competitions where the children are subjected to dressing up in outfits they don't really want to be in, prancing around on stage, and waiting to be judged."
I'm pretty sure the girls put on the show don't mind dressing up like that while prancing around on stage. A majority of those moms were pageant kids, as well as their moms, and so on. They're all girly people and are competitive, and there isn't anything wrong with that.
As for the makeup, it's not like these mothers are setting their child up for a future in prostitution. If anything these pageants help build these kids' confidence, and they get money out of it, too, which could go toward their college funds. With the trophies they win, they have something to show on their resumes when they apply for their jobs as well as scholarships along with their developed confidence.
extremely-guilty pleasure! (and I don't mean that in any perverted way. juuust making sure.)