First of all, I’d like to say that giving birth to a child is (I assume. I’ve never actually given birth.) an amazing experience. I’ve been around when family members have been born and I’ve seen the joy a new child can bring to people. However, I have a major issue with all of the children being born on NATIONAL TELEVISION lately.
I have no problem with a child being born on a show named “A Baby Story” on TLC. When you flip to that channel, you expect to see things like weddings, babies, new homes, etc. But, when I flip to E! to watch “Kendra,” I don’t really want to see her (and Hank Baskett’s) kid being pushed out of her. I just find it weird. I understand it’s a reality television show and that is their reality, but what is that kid going to think when they are much older and watch that episode? I know I would be freaked out if I knew my mother had a film crew in her face during such a private, special time in her and my life.
It seems like it has become an epidemic lately. On top of Kendra & Hank, there are many others being filmed. Kimora Lee Simmons was filmed giving birth to Djimon Hounsou’s son. Giuliana and Bill Rancic haven’t technically given birth on their show. But, the last several episodes have been about them trying to get pregnant, which when it does happen will probably be filmed also.
The weirdest birth I’ve seen lately has to go to Kourtney Kardashian (Kim’s older sister) and Scott Disick. I was actually fascinated and grossed out at the same time. She was so ridiculously calm throughout the entire thing that she pulled the kid out of her. Normally a doctor does that, but she reached down and pulled the kid out. That’s insane to me. She didn’t yell, cry or sweat her makeup off. It was epic television.(You can watch it HERE)
The part of this whole child birth phenomenon that really irritates me though is the MTV show, “16 & Pregnant.” It shows 16 year olds giving birth to the children that they accidentally conceived. It then shows how they go back to school, or their parents basically raise the kid, or they are taken care of as if it’s a good thing. If MTV wanted to do a show about 16 year olds giving birth they could have showed how terribly difficult their life is going to end up. After all MTV shows are very influential to the teens that watch them.
With that show and “True Life: I’m Pregnant,” MTV is basically saying that having a kid when you’re that young is not a big deal. I’m not trying to get MTV to go all abstinent on us, but I just think the insane number of child birth shows has become ridiculous. If that is entertainment then what is happening to television?
I haven't yet picked a topic for next week's post. So, if you have any ideas than feel free to let me know. Thanks for reading :)
Charlene D Said,
This comment has been removed by the author.
Posted on March 30, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Caitlin McCusker Said,
Ashley! I enjoyed reading your post, and had no idea about the Kardashian video, that was absolutely crazy. Its funny because i was just watching 16 and pregnant for a brief moment yesterday and i found it very innapropriate and disturbing. I think that it is portraying the image that it is ok to have children that young and frankly it is not in my eyes under any circumstance. Times have changed so drastically since i was 16 and i could have never even pathemed such a thing. I think that shows should start to censor what they air and keep behind the screen for the sake of society.
Posted on April 4, 2010 at 2:33 PM
mafish Said,
I am glad you decided to blog about this, because in my eyes this type of reality that is being shown is everything but true. I just think if you want to talk about something negative for kids and teens to watch this hits the nail on the head! First off I can’t tell you enough how much I agree with you that seeing these type of shows( giving birth) shouldn’t be on any station other than TLC because in reality they are turning something that is supposed to be so private and amazing in to a way to get more ratings on a stupid reality show! I can’t believe that they actually showed Kourtney K. pulling her baby out of her, what in the heck were they thinking??While also showing a birth on just another lame reality show called “Kendra”. I feel like Hollywood is once again taking types of media to just another extreme. As for MTV, I am just disgusted that they are basically promoting being in high school and having a child. The show does nothing more than show teens its not a big deal to get pregnant because you have friends and family who you can trust to nurture and care for your child while finishing or dropping out of high school! WHAT IN THE WORLD are these producers thinking!!! I am so upset that our morals and etiquette has changed so much in our society! Twenty years ago, people would have absolutely told you , you were nuts if you even thought about shows such as these. I just think things are going to have to change , because if not our society is only going to fail more and more.
Posted on April 5, 2010 at 12:00 PM