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Will the Beckhams be able to give their children a normal life in America despite media attention?

Results so far:

No
58% 227 votes Total: 391 votes
Yes
42% 164 votes
No

Of course the Beckhams would doubtless be financially ABLE to give their children a normal life IF they so desired. But, what would make us think that they WANT to do this? All indications thus far seem to point to the exact contrary. Both Posh and David have been signalling their intent to do everything in their power to make as big a splash here in America as possible.

If you wanted to lessen your "noticeability footprint" you would not fly via British Airways into the famed Los Angeles, California, the height of recognizability, you'd fly private jet into Buffalo Patch, Saskatchewan, Canada. David and Posh arrived amid all the paparazzi and glitz we would expect from Britain's "royal couple", with great fanfare and excitement, and did you see the adorable and decidedly fashionable outfits sported by the Beckham's three boys as they arrived at the airport? All were identical in red shirts and beige sporty shorts, three little peas in a pod.
If you wanted to be "Mr. and Mrs. American Soccer Mom and Dad," you would not make the eyebrow lifting, by all accounts steamy video Becks and Posh recently starred in.
David wants to raise awareness of the sport of soccer in America, and you don't do that by travelling incognito, or by playing modest mouse!

How can the light of their stardom NOT shine on their children? And really, must that be a negative? Many famous people do great good with their fame and fortune, and David Beckham and soccer together can only bring more recognition, appreciation, and thus a betterment of the sport to America, and that's definitely a good thing!

Learn more about this author, Debra Brown.
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Yes

What's normal for celebrities is not what the rest of us would consider normal by any means. Once you're famous, you are little more than a publically traded commodity. Your image is the main product you sell and they buy. Paparazzi then, could be viewed as poachers, stealing images in times when celebrities aren't necessarily trying to sell them. Because of these poachers persistant efforts, it can be completely impossible for celebrities and their families to have anything remotely close to what the rest of us would consider to be a normal life.

In that regard, I'd have to answer no to the question posed. But I believe the spirit of the question is in comparison to the life they had in Europe. And therefore my answer is an absolute yes. Yes the Beckhams will be able to give their children a normal life in America, despite all the media attention. At least as 'normal' as they could manage in Europe.

European media is infamous for their relentless pursuit of celebrities. They typically are far more pushy and rude than their North American counterparts. Often boardering on assault, whereas even the media in LA or NY (said to be the most aggressive in America), might go so far as to boarder on simple harassment. Assault is too far. No exceptions.

We all remember the tragic death of Princess Diana in France, due mostly to overzealous paparazzi not knowing when to quit. I'm forced to believe that even in LA, they would have just let her go, snapping whatever pictures they can as she's hurried by.

I've heard many celebrities talk about the shear audacity of the European media. And how dealings with the paparazzi over there, can be quite scary. Many claim to have felt legitimately threatened many times. How is it that the police over there can flat out fail to protect some of societies most recognisable figures?

But on the other side of the coin, celebrities are typically very successfull, very rich people. They can afford to hire their own security forces to secure the gap left by local police forces. They can call ahead to shops and restaurants, and make special arrangements to enter/exit through back/side doors, unseen and unannounced. They can often even arrange to shop or dine after the place is closed.

In Europe, the Beckhams were about as big as big can be. In America, soccer is nearer the bottom of the professional sporting hierarchy. Most have heard of David. Many could identify him. But not nearly as many will go to bizarre and/or illegal lengths to contact him. And Victoria is a very well known pop culture celebrity due to The Spice Girls. But the height of their success is long since passed.

And Los Angeles is maybe the best place for them. A city filled to the brim with celebrities of every sort and standing. I don't think the Beckhams will have much trouble there.

Learn more about this author, Ivan-ac.
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