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I've never been much of a fan of reality TV. Putting ordinary people (who are always prettier or meaner or whinier than anyone person I've ever met) in weird circumstances to show what happens just isn't entertaining to me. I've got kids, I deal with weird circumstances ALL DAY LONG!
Apparently, I'm not the only one who isn't crazy about at least one reality TV show. The Washington D.C. based nonprofit group Zero to Three is upset with the new NBC television series "Baby Borrowers". The group's spokesperson told Page Six, "We're concerned about the fact that these babies are being separated from their parents and placed with strangers. On the first episode, the babies were separated for about 12 hours and were clearly in distress. Typically they will cry and cling and search for their parents, which they were doing. They should be with someone they've had the opportunity to get to know."
I'm all for educating teens on child care getting rid of the notion that parenting is one big ball of baby powdery fun, but there ARE better ways than dumping a baby off with complete strangers for a television show. Working at a childcare center, volunteering at a church nursery or preschool, or even babysitting are all good ways to get a small idea of what life as a parent is like.
There is no way I'd ever, ever, ever have agreed to let my babies be on a television show like this, even with a nanny stationed nearby in case she's needed. What exactly is going on with our society that makes babies fair game for a reality series, anyway?
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ReaderComments (Page 3 of 3)
7-07-2008 @ 1:50PM
modern baby blankets said...Just watched this show the other day and the whole concept freaked me out.
http://www.mairzeydotes.com
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7-07-2008 @ 2:33PM
Jorge Pupo said...Reality Shows are non-union shows so basically anything can happen and children may be exploited and placed in dangerous physical and psychological situations. Parents have all signed contracts to allow their children to participate in these shows. There are laws that protect children, namely the Coogan Law.
Named after child actor Jackie Coogan, whose parents left him penniless when they legally spent the millions of dollars he had earned as a silent film star, the Coogan Law was enacted in 1939 to assure that child actors would receive a portion of their earnings when they reached majority age, which is now 18.
At present, Coogan Accounts (a.k.a Blocked Trust Accounts and Trust Accounts) are required by the State of California, New York, Louisiana and New Mexico. In most instances, you will have to supply proof of a trust account prior to receiving a work permit. 15% of the minor’s gross wages are required to be withheld by the employer and deposited into the Coogan account within 15 days of employment. The parent must supply the Coogan account number to the employer.
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7-07-2008 @ 2:52PM
kim said...this is something I have to agree with people on - there are definitely better ways to get an idea of what childcare is like. How about those classes that people take where a doll is handed to them and they're responsible for it - and everytime it starts crying they have so many seconds to respond properly or they get penalized. and they have to take the doll everywhere with them. like someone else said - work or volunteer at a daycare. see what it's really like. I work at a local recreation center, and yes while i love the kids there, I know that I wouldn't want to be a teenage parent. especially in these times with our economic troubles and all.
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7-07-2008 @ 3:26PM
Aly said...I have never seen the show because I think it is a stupid concept. Yes, this is bad, but at least they have someone to take care of them. It's really the parents fault if anything happens for putting their kids on this show. Plus this show is not as bad as Kid Nation when it was on C.B.S. I would hope T.V. would not stoop so low to have a Baby Nation, because that would be a million times worse than this. It could be WAY worse.
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7-07-2008 @ 3:53PM
stef said...i am a working parent with a teenager we are following this show that has some quirks , but for the most part I see it as a view that most teenagers arent exposed to unless its a younger sibling , but not always. i think it can prevent unwanted pregancies as my daughter and I have had quite few conversations about the show & do babies really cry all that much! Now as a parent I do realize that the separation from the parents would cause crying etc..but as we parents all know this is par for the course but I feel no one was being exploited, again its not like you didnt have feedback from actual parents & stepping in when they felt necessary. Perhaps, if they had more in your face exposure (as the teens today see the world anyway) there wouldnt be so many unwed mothers carrying the loan alone. I agree with many that said its much like some daycare, in alot of ways.For some daycare workers its just a job.Look at people who video babysitters & see horrible things happening to their baby with people they interviewed or came by an agency. All in all there is good & bad in everything.I think this also enlightened the teens' parents & the actual parents of the babies as well as the teens. We need to be more up in arms about all the sex & sexual references all over all the time! I feel if it opens up the eyes of a teen couple & makes them aware of what they could be in for then its not in vain!
My daughter & I are spending time together watching a show that I am encouraging her not to imititate!
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7-07-2008 @ 4:20PM
Cassandra said..."No one is debating whether or not it was appropriate for my husband to work, so why should it be any different for me?" Thanks so much for saying that, Denise. The usual absence of that question goes to show how heavily influenced we still are by prescribed gender roles.
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7-07-2008 @ 4:42PM
colie said...perscribed gender roles? please most stay at home moms make that choice for themselves, notice I say most. even in middle school when we were all talking about our future I did not want to go to college or be career driven. jobs are a dime a dozen and that's been your choice this is ours. It's been my experience that if you prove your worth at a job it is very likely that said job is a career possibility, it's alot less money and time to climb up the ladder than it is to go to school for it. let your work speak for itself and the rewards will be plentiful. now just to be clear I AM NOT BASHING ANY WORKING MOTHERS, but I have been fortunate enough to be able to say you know what, this isn't working out so well for me it's not worth the time I'm spending away from my kids, here's my 2 week notice. not everyone is so fortunate, but like I said perscribed gender roles please not in this day and age we make that choice ourselves and it's what works for us
7-07-2008 @ 4:53PM
Cassandra said...I just think it's interesting, and telling, that conversations about daycare, whether to work or stay home, and so on tend to be "mom-centric"--though there are of course lots of stay-at-home-dads out there who, thankfully, are changing that trend.
Case in point: when I was pregnant and a new mom, I had a number of people, from family to people I barely knew, pester me about whether I *really* wanted to go back to work when my maternity leave was up. Did one person ask my husband if he planned to keep working? No. And that absolutely is an example of people not thinking outside the gender role box.
However, this is one person's experience. Many of my friends and female colleagues have experienced similar scrutiny, while their husbands did not, but again, that's just the experience of a particular group of women. I didn't mean to suggest that it was your experience or that you didn't "choose your choice," so to speak. If you feel good and happy about your choices, then that’s what counts.
7-07-2008 @ 4:31PM
Jackie said...I haven't seen the show, however, I think it sounds absolutely disgusting and can't understand why any parent would allowed their child to be used like this. Who cares if there is a trained nanny nearby or the parents are allowed to watch on closed circuit television. Does that really help to soothe the frightened child?
I can see how many people would not have a problem with this concept because it is not so different from the daycare centers they dump their children in everyday. Revolving care providers, no real bonding, children crying for their parents. Really very similar.
I think our "daycare culture" has numbed us to the emotional bonding needs of young children. Too many people see them as objects that can be passed from person to person without considering their feelings. Yes, I know many people have no choice but too put their kids in daycare. With those people I sympathize. But far too many do have a choice. They choose fancy cars, large McMansions, and career fulfillment over the needs of their children.
The fact that shows like this get support just highlights how detached from our children we have become. I find it all very sad!
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7-07-2008 @ 5:31PM
heygirlhey said...ShortiRox...you definately nailed that one!!! I completely agree!!!! Daycare is completely different!!! I am a teen, and the fact of the matter is....the teaching really does start at home!!!
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7-07-2008 @ 6:59PM
Cyndi said...Oh please wake up people....it's a tv show. Parents are on the same street and the teens are on closed circuit cameras.
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7-25-2008 @ 9:54PM
Pierrette said...My son is almost 5 mos old and I am everywhere he goes, I could not imagine leaving him with strangers.
I don't think babies who can not voice from themselves should be used for entertainment on tv.
Pierrette from Wiseman Conspiracy
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8-01-2008 @ 2:10AM
8o8 said...lol I wouldn't have left them with my kids, but isn't it just like extended babysitting from teens anyway? The neighbor teen that is a little careless but the only one available to babysit for the night (with a nanny living with you)? I know many of my neighbors that would jump at that.
The problem I have is just the TV thing, with problems set up to make you look bad, too. But I think it served a good purpose, showing teens just how mature they are (and the value of a good relationship with your partner).
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