by Jacquie Schmall

Created on: October 23, 2009

It's not clear when television viewing audiences became enamored of the real life struggles of other people, however, the Gosselins do present an interesting challenge. The children have been helped by their parents earning enough money to care for their real needs. They are not on welfare, nor struggling with switching schedules on nine to five jobs. They have to face cameras, makeup, and the criticism of the general public, which may be a whole lot less dramatic than the reality of being part of the more mundane, and more stressful, ordinary job market

Perhaps we will never really know the full effect of the television show dynamics on each of the Gosselin children, however, we do know the current catastrophe is about their equally disagreeable parents. Neither Jon or Kate appear to truly consider the welfare of their children, or they would have put aside their bickering, and continued to take advantage of their incredibly good fortune.

Children are resilient, as well as curious, and very needy of parental guidance. As they had the great good luck of being able to earn a living for their sizable brood, both Jon and Kate should have put their time into learning how best to produce themselves as a family, and not fall into the trap of who is more annoying for their lack of mutual respect.

Through all the moments of cameras following the children, the cameras were not responsible for any physical harm. What long term psychological damage might produce a real life problem for any of the children later in life, is pure conjecture. Children are raised in every conceivable circumstance, and though not every child becomes president of the United States, most will approach the choices in life with reason, and the strength given them through their unique circumstances.

The confusion precipitated by the disagreeable relationship of Jon and Kate, and the ensuing media frenzy, will likely do more damage than a day to day television show would ever do. The Gosselin children are no different from any other family where the parents have become outspoken enemies. This is a situation the children cannot grasp, and the fallout for them, in terms of psychological damage, cannot be currently measured. The effect may show up somewhere down the line, and it may manifest differently for each of them. They are a big family to be sure, but they are individual human beings.

In general, the Gosselins provided a good beginning for the children, they had all they needed to feel safe, all they needed to be their curious little beings, and lots of people who cared about them, until their parents got more interested in their own welfare, than that of their children.

.

Learn more about this author, Jacquie Schmall.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.