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Twitter'Jon & Kate Plus 8' kids 'shouldn't be working'
The "Jon & Kate Plus 8" offspring are definitely being exposed and exploited, says a psychiatrist, according to Usmagazine.com.
Dr. Michael Brody of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry responds in length to Jon Gosselin's assertion that stories of he and Kate exploiting their kids is "ridiculous."
Among some of the doctor's opinions include:
- "Child stars have not done well ... They don't have their childhood."
- "It's a commercialization of children. There should be some sort of child labor laws about this. It's not normal for an eight-year-old or a five-year-old to be working to support their family."
- No reality shows should feature children -- adults only.
- "There are reasons why kids shouldn't be working. Kids should be playing at this age. They should be exploring the world. They should be spending their time being educated."
- "It's fostering this non-genuineness. It's fostering a need for attention."
- The constant presence of film crews upsets the natural need for people to have some privacy and have alone time.
Also, the good doctor points to President Obama as a high-profile person who's succeeded in keeping his kids out of the spotlight: "That's sensible. They are sensible parents. They are being sensible, protective parents."
What do you think of Dr. Brody's statements?
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
In this economy those kids are lucky to have a job, so not sure what the big deal is.
Kate is such a drama queen, she only has 8 kids and Octo has 14.
I don't see how these kids are technically 'working'. Yes, they have camera's in their faces, but it doesn't seem to impede them at all. Though I agree to they exploited, but it wasn't an issue in the first season, wh is it one now? And since when did a trip to the dentist become work? I do agree however, that their emotional well being is at stake. It's one thing to have a home video camera in your face all the time, but once this show is over, I'm sure they are all going to have adjustment problems.
I agree -- the kids aren't "working" as child actors memorizing scripts. The physciatrist doens't know the fact that the cameras film only about 3 days a week not 24/7. Most people commenting don't know that and most of these experts have never even seen the show. The camera isn't in their "face all the time" meow.
No, but some of the show is staged, with producers "asking" the children to behave certain ways and if they don't get a desired shot, will reshoot until they do. That, my friends, is working.
Well you either have to work or go to school. It seems these kids just want to sit at home all day and do nothing. Ia m not a big fan of Kate esp since she is always busy with her bodyguard, but good for her for making her kids work... This way they will learn to be responsible and she will have more time to be with the bodyguard.
This show is just so stupid to begin with and yet people watch this nonsense? I am so surprised at TLC for airing this.
for kids that aren't "working" they are making $75,000 an episode and the show is going into it's 6th and final season. While the children deem the cameras as part of their life you do start to wonder about motivation of the others involved.
the kids are not working. from what i've been told, the production ***istant will ask the kids questions and may try to get some sort of response. But the only people doing a "reshoot" are Jon and Kate. Secondly, the kids believe it or not do have a semi-normal life in that (1) they aren't filmed at school and (2) rarely filmed with their friends. The fifth season premiere is the first time I can remember their friends being shown. In the most recent episode (the Calif. episode) Kate only allowed the crew to film ONE DAY. This rocking chair shrink needs to mind his own business. There a lot of child stars that have led productive lives as children and adults. A lot of that really depends on the family life. The child stars that have had problems, typically had parents who did for the $$$$.
As for Obamas and their daughters... mutual difference. A HUGE DIFFERENCE. The press has generally stayed away from the first family's kids when asked. The Goeslin's allowed the film crew within their home. BIG, BIG, BIG difference.