Will 'Balloon Boy' Be Scarred For Life?
Categories: Behaving Badly, In The News, Opinions
Falcon Heene, aka "Balloon Boy," is a victim of his parent's desire for fame. And some experts are saying that the scars of this experience will stay with him for a long time.
The Daily News quotes a number of mental health professionals as saying that Falcon may face a "struggle" to create a life for himself outside of his family. By forcing their son to participate in this hoax, and then lie about it on national television, Richard and Mayumi Heene could be setting up the boy for a lifetime of "anxiety and depression." Others, such as DePauw University professor Jeffrey McCall, say that the explosion of children on reality shows is nothing more than "exploitation."
This is something that some of us have been saying for years. There is no reason to put children on reality shows. None.
Well, there is one reason -- money.
No matter what TLC wants to say now, "Jon & Kate Plus 8" was a huge money maker for the network. And the ratings got higher when things got worse for the family. TLC only pulled the plug after papa Jon Gosselin began making noise about taking the kids off the show.
It finally took a maniacal, fame-seeking faux-scientist to pretend that his son had floated away in an aluminum UFO catcher, and then watching said kid vomit on national television, for the big thinkers to notice that perhaps children who appear on reality shows are being exploited.
As for Falcon being scarred for life by the experience, let's not jump to conclusions. Things have worked out well for a lot of child stars in the past. But the title of a recent AOL Television article, "10 Former TV Child Stars Who Aren't Crackheads," pretty much says it all.
Falcon's case may be more dramatic; he did throw up on TV. Twice.
Let's not pretend this is a new problem.
None of this lets the Heene parents off the hook. What they allegedly did was disgusting. But at least this incident will probably spare Falcon and his brothers from appearing on their own reality show. With stories like this one, we have to take our silver linings where we can.
What do you think? Is a parent who puts their children on a reality show just using them?
The Daily News quotes a number of mental health professionals as saying that Falcon may face a "struggle" to create a life for himself outside of his family. By forcing their son to participate in this hoax, and then lie about it on national television, Richard and Mayumi Heene could be setting up the boy for a lifetime of "anxiety and depression." Others, such as DePauw University professor Jeffrey McCall, say that the explosion of children on reality shows is nothing more than "exploitation."
This is something that some of us have been saying for years. There is no reason to put children on reality shows. None.
Well, there is one reason -- money.
No matter what TLC wants to say now, "Jon & Kate Plus 8" was a huge money maker for the network. And the ratings got higher when things got worse for the family. TLC only pulled the plug after papa Jon Gosselin began making noise about taking the kids off the show.
It finally took a maniacal, fame-seeking faux-scientist to pretend that his son had floated away in an aluminum UFO catcher, and then watching said kid vomit on national television, for the big thinkers to notice that perhaps children who appear on reality shows are being exploited.
As for Falcon being scarred for life by the experience, let's not jump to conclusions. Things have worked out well for a lot of child stars in the past. But the title of a recent AOL Television article, "10 Former TV Child Stars Who Aren't Crackheads," pretty much says it all.
Falcon's case may be more dramatic; he did throw up on TV. Twice.
Let's not pretend this is a new problem.
None of this lets the Heene parents off the hook. What they allegedly did was disgusting. But at least this incident will probably spare Falcon and his brothers from appearing on their own reality show. With stories like this one, we have to take our silver linings where we can.
What do you think? Is a parent who puts their children on a reality show just using them?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 15)
Elizabeth 10-22-2009 @ 2:28PM
Well, first of all, I think reality shows are stupid. Oh, I admit I tuned into Supernanny and American Idol when they first came on, but after a while--and here's the difference between reality shows and scripted television--they became predictable and stale. I mean, if you've seen one episode, you've seen them all. At least with scripted TV shows there is the potential to shake things up by killing off a character in a fiery explosion--something that, if seen on a reality show, would most likely get someone thrown in jail. And, as in the case with this family, if something fantastic happens on a reality show, it is most likely scripted, and then what's the point?
I think that parents who put children in the spot light for financial gain should have their children taken away same as those who beat or abuse them. It's one thing if the child enjoys acting and wants to be in movies or television, but if it's not their idea, well, we've all seen what happens to child stars--booze, drugs, and out of work at age 15 with no real skill. Adults are supposed to provide for their children, not the other way around. Let your kids be kids, don't make them the bread winners.
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Ann 10-23-2009 @ 7:00AM
If the children have the proper schooling and are taken care of with love it is nice to do things as a family.
Someone was tring to make Jon look good. There is nothing good about him He was just doing what ever necessary to get at his exwife. I never have watched reality shows. I was an extra in the movies from the time I was 5 and it didn't hurt me a bit. I am now in my 70's At no time should children be taken from a parent they love except for cases of abuse.
The baloon boy was a horrible thing. I never would teach or accept lying.
We all have our feelings and am sure some will dissagree with me but that's wwhat's so wonderful about being an American. We have free speach and a right to have our own opinions.
Gloria 10-23-2009 @ 7:09AM
First, I want to make a correction to the statement that the child vomit on National TV Twice, it was more then three times, in which his own mother had to be told do you want to go and see if your son is okay. There are parents that should be parents and there are others that shouldn't, and this is parents that shouldn't. I do not watch reality TV for it is an exploitation not only for children but for everyone concern, but when you have a mixed up world such as ours and materialistic things are more important then family then you have nothing, you are empty, take a look what happen not only to this family, but families across our great nation. Society has dictated that it is okay to follow the Jones's. You may think they love their children, but this is not love, this is controlling the situation so that you can develop a way to get into a reality show, how sick is that?
evanchot 10-24-2009 @ 10:58AM
You can't be serious...With all respect, who are you to suggest this...I don't condone what this guy did, but it does not qualify taking their children away...If you feel this way...what about the Gosselins or any other family on reality show...Your position is unfortunate, considering your decision is being based only on the sensationalized media.
Elizabeth 10-23-2009 @ 8:19AM
Evanchot, with all due respect, my opinion on this isn't based on "sensationalized media." I grew up in the Los Angeles area, and went to school with many child actors whose parents were the driving force behind their career. They didn't want to act, but their parents made them because they were basically using them to pay for their cars, houses, and luxury lifestyle--basically prostituting their kids. I have seen first hand the darker side of stage moms. And let me tell you, these kids had issues. I'm not saying that every child actor will have problems, because a lot of them don't, but if you have the kind of parents that tell you to lie and do things all in the name of fame, well, that's not very good parenting, now is it? Parents who exploit their children for financial gain should be punished.
Dudley Haas 10-23-2009 @ 8:26AM
I think this father is a great man and should be rewarded. He put his son in a hot air balloon so he could see the world. That's exactly how Columbus discovered the world is flat.
Mike Ducary 10-23-2009 @ 9:27AM
Thank you for putting my exact thoughts about reality shows.......I have a girlfriend who lives for most of them........this frees me up to explore other avenues of recreation..........People ought to go live life and not look to the experiences of others to live life......Again, Thanks.
Daniel B 10-23-2009 @ 9:32AM
Let's take it one step further with those parents pushing their children into sports or art for witch the children have no talent or ability to do.
Those parents are abusing their children just the same.
I have an example in my family where a girl has been learning ballet for almost 10 years and still can stand on one leg without loosing her balance but the parents are pressing on.
She is doing very poorly in school, she as no time to study. She will never be a ballet dancer and will end up with no education just because the parents can not accept the fact that they made a mistake.
Ellen 10-23-2009 @ 9:34AM
I absolutely agree with you, I couldn't have said it better!
Julia 10-23-2009 @ 10:29AM
Children used to make money for parents may be targets for psychological abuse?. It's foolish to think there won't be harm done. I wonder about the boy on Two and a Half Men. What's that kid learning for future reference? Is that boy much different from the balloon boy? Children learn. Question is: what are they learning that will benefit them and society or cause harm? I hate seeing children exploited.
charles 10-23-2009 @ 10:08AM
Its a shame what people will do for a piece of green paper, of course any parent that put there children in that type of arena is only thinking of themself.
kenderdefender 10-23-2009 @ 10:07AM
I don't like reality shows either. They're not reality--they're completely staged and rehearsed, and the drama that people create for themselves on them is entirely decided by what the people sitting at home want to see.
deb 10-23-2009 @ 10:10AM
I agree with you when you say that the parents are using their children, not just to make money, but get their own 15 minutes of fame that has eluded them thus far. Sick! How is this any different from the mom who puts her very young daughter through beauty pagents (an extremely tough ride for the little one! Made up to look like someone she is not, and then judged on her "beauty"...knowing that only one can win.)With mom telling her she WILL BE the winner, how humiliated must the child feel when she looses? Not even her own mother was "right" about her beauty. Then the child must suffer through whatever it was mom says she did wrong, resulting in the loss of the contest. Mom, in this case, is most probably trying to live vicariously through her daughter because she never got the chance to do it (or even worse,she did, and like child abuse, carries it on to the next generation.) I wonder what abuse Falcon (turd or not)has endured for "blowing" the CNN interview? I shudder to think! his dad doesnt looklike a very nice man! (He looks to me like one of the old Tarzan actors.)The fact that the boy had to vomit over telling lies makes him seem less "turdish" and more normally
childish to me.
Rusty W. 10-23-2009 @ 11:31AM
Your comment made lots of sense. It pretty well covered the issues "in a nutshell". Lengthy commentaries may show the writer is unsure of his own point.
Terry Andreasen 10-23-2009 @ 1:54PM
I mostly agree with you, but if anyone believes these "reality" shows are not scripted, although lamely, should take another look. And all of these shows are pretty lame after the initial uniqueness.
Michael 10-23-2009 @ 6:12AM
His parents havent scarred him for life, the press has. No publicity, no scarring.
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Just wondering 10-23-2009 @ 6:22AM
The press has scarred these kids? And you say the parents haven't? The press gets to report the story and the criminal proceedings. But I would agree that any references to the kid as "Balloon Boy" are irresponsible. He wasn't in the balloon so he wasn't the balloon boy. He wasn't in the attic it turns out so we can't even call him "Attic Boy." Let's just not refer to him at all and just focus on these parents who have probably just destroyed their family and leave the kids names out of the news.
Mary 10-23-2009 @ 6:55AM
The child may be obnoxious; but, why wouldn't he be? The atmosphere in his household rewards drama, and encourages lies for fame. Who is supposed to help him learn appropriateness and honesty? His parents aren't doing that job. He's been exposed to lies & manipulation & that is what he's learned. Blame the teachers; not the student. He's only six, and the Honesty Fairy hasn't arrived at his house to let him know his parents are kooks & they don't a fig about telling the boy to participate in a hoax that cost others money, time, stress and everything. What choice did he have? He couldn't say: "Dad, I don't think I want to participate in this one, it makes my stomach hurt!" From a little boy, to a fame-hungry dad, I don't that one would fly . . . other than a good one across the seat of his little pants! Lighten up.
buamanda 10-23-2009 @ 7:26AM
There are many people who are scarred from traumatic events and bad home environments that don't involve publicity.
Vicki 10-23-2009 @ 10:04AM
The parents used him & planned it out for the stupity act to happen to start with & Had their own son to lie!!!!!! What if they built another one & Their son is actually inside next time~What then? He's scarred for life~Parents,plubicity,news,frnds,school,siblings also have issues against their brother cause of attentions he's getting!!!