"Is it a good idea for your children to have a career?"
This topic is pretty much targeted at child stars, models and singers. I was watching a current affair last night and they were discussing 'The Voice Kids'. This idea horrified me to my core. I too am a proud parent and would love to show off my beautiful, talented children to the world, but the only benefit that it would have would be for me!
My children are really VERY cute, and I have been told numerous times that I should get them into modelling. But the kind of people that they would be associating with would not be very ideal. Not to mention the self image obsession that would be instilled in them from such an early age. They would become selfish, arrogant and vain! And then there is the money aspect. Yes, I could REALLY use the money, not that it would be mine. But if I were to give them their money, well... We have all seen what happens to child stars. They go off the rails with access to that much money, and almost always get into drugs.
We then also have the added pressure of having them in the critics spotlight. The downwards affect that bad critiques would have on a child's self esteem are crippling! And all of this so then the parents can bask in the glow of their child's fame! I am reminded of the movie 'Borat'. A scene in this movie shows the star of the movie hosting a bogus audition for a movie for children. The mothers do not know that they are being filmed for something completely different. When they are asked questions like 'can you make your 9 month old lose 3 kilograms (weights translated to metric)', many of them said yes if it meant getting the part. Some even went so far as to agree to get their BABY to have liposuction!
I for one say 'NO!' Children should not have a career, they should be allowed to be kids, and enjoy their childhood free of the stress and pressures of such an industry. The only reason these mothers are pushing their kids into spotlight is for their own gratification. But the sad truth is, they do not care about their children's well-being, they only want money and fame. If my children want to be involved in acting, singing or modeling, they can make that choice when they are of an appropriate age.
Please, leave an opinion.
-T.J.
