What do you think of reality shows that have children as contestants?
By rosedust82
@rosedust82 (2066)
Philippines
August 27, 2008 12:52pm CST
I asked this question because we have one show on tv that is sort of a reality show of little kids who are all competing to be the "big winner". It's actually a singing contest (think American Idol slash Big Brother) that has all the workings of the Big brother thingy but the goal is to create the best child singers in the country. I have nothing against shows like these... I actually love seeing these kids turn into fantastic singers with the help of the various activities that are given to them at the academy.
So now you might be wondering, what's my point? Well, just like with most competitions, the group has to be trimmed down to only the best. I can't help but feel concern for the children who do get expelled from the 'academy' or 'school'. We're talking about kids who've invested their time and effort in gaining new friendships, new knowledge and what not. I just think it's a pretty traumatic experience for a child to have to undergo. Not being able to return to the "school" anymore. Most of these kids are between five to eleven and a lot of them are too young to really understand the concepts of losing. It makes me wonder if these children would still take up singing or would they refuse to do it since they've already had a taste of rejection.
I think that reality shows should be for people who can actually understand and accept things fully. I wouldn't mind if it were just a singing contest, but this show invests on the children's emotions, actions and what have you which I think is not right. Oh well, as they say, to each his own.
Just my humble opinion. 

1 person likes this
4 responses
@goddessjes (788)
• Philippines
27 Aug 08
tiddy!!!
to add to your humble opinion, there should be child psychologist present during the entire program. there should be counseling and all. these kids are barely students, and yet they already are undergoing possibilities of rejections. who knows some of them might even develop inferiority complex.
i know the show. do they even have at least one child psychologist? i believe they don't.
1 person likes this
@rosedust82 (2066)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
Tiddy!
That's exactly what I was thinking. Don't even think that there is a child psychologist present. It seems like these things weren't really well thought of. I do hope they do get one if in case they make something like that in the future... Or else, we'll have several more young kids with inferiority complex. Sigh.
@Fishmomma (11658)
• United States
27 Aug 08
I don't watch this type of show with children. Our children grow up fast enough and when they are older they can try out for these reality shows. Children 5 to 11 so sad to see them having to find out they aren't good enough already.
1 person likes this
@rosedust82 (2066)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
If these kids were a little older, it wouldn't be too much of a thing... They are sort of old enough to understand how things are and the concept of losing. However, children that are very young can actually be traumatized by the knowledge that they weren't good enough to make the cut.
@vampirekitten (191)
• United States
27 Aug 08
What I find wrong with this type of thing is, how many of the kids wanted to sign up? How do we not know it was the parents doing? I think that 5 years old can't gauge the idea of being famous or even singing. They don't know the impact that follows winning or losing.
I find it that 99.9% of the time, its the parents who are most wanting of it for their kids and also they are the most likely to get upset by losing it.
1 person likes this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
27 Aug 08
I see where you are coming from here. I have also had some opinions about this myself especially when it put children in the forefront of yet another reality/contest type of show.
A lot of children might not grasp the concept of losing and their pride could be hurt. Although it is possible that a child could be very intelligent and intuitive and realize that they can strive for more things and gain confidence also. It is kind of a toss up as to how the young ones will bounce back from adversity.@rosedust82 (2066)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
That's exactly what I was thinking. Some kids may be able to understand the concept of failure but most of them don't. Makes me wonder what happens to the child after the reality contest.





