'Jon & Kate Plus 8' kids 'shouldn't be working'
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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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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.
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.
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.
How much was this "expert" paid for his opinion? The kids have literally grown up with the cameras around. It is an everyday part of life for them. Several of the earlier shows actually show how much they love the producers and crew. Obviously we don't see every minute of film, but I am so tired of the accusations that these kids are not well cared for. They go to regular school (not set school like a "child star"), they have the opportunity to go on fabulous vacations, they go to museums and ball games and parks. They do more than my kids. They all appear to be doing fine.
There are families all across this country where the mom and dad are having trouble. Let them work it out and leave the kids to a "normal" routine. Is it normal as compared to 99% of the country-no. But they seem to be dealing with the cameras well. It is the tension between their parents that seems to be throwing them the most these days. And they are reacting as expected. The older ones are stepping up with more responsibility and looking for approval and the younger ones are looking for more physical attention. Seems pretty normal to me.
I think it would have been better for the parents to work all the time to support the large family. So what if the kids would not get to have a big house, vacations and time with there parents.
I do think Kate is nuts.
I am glad that they are nice looking kids, and that they really enjoy being in front of the cameras. If the kids are good enough to make a show, then let them. Just hope that their parents are investing that money for the kids future. I'd rather watch them, then watch ol Obamas kids....
Whether or not you call it "working" these children are being exploited. They were never given a choice to say yes or no- they just have to perform on demand. Maybe they will turn out fine having grown up with cameras in their faces. If they are screwed up, maybe it will be because their parents have the maturity of 10 year olds. Who knows? But if they are screwed up, I hope all of you who watch the show understand you are culpable for it by supporting their parents exploitation of them.
I mean really- we all know families that are big. Some families I know have more than 8 kids and they get by fine by being thrifty, having a work ethic, and actually having a parent work. The Gosslens only need to make money through their children because they want a certain lifestyle, and unlike the rest of us, it is a lifestyle they have not worked to earn.