by Paul Cleaver

Created on: March 13, 2010

In a word, NO! First, let’s look at it from two points of view; both of which bring us ironically to the same address.

There are people that will look at the specific dictionary definition of the word, “exploit”, to determine if the actions that parents are taking fall within the parameters of the true negative definition that we all feel when we say the word: (You know what I mean, it’s one of those words that brings about wrinkled noses and sneering upper lips every time we say it.)

 “To make unethical use of for one’s own profit” – Webster’s New World Dictionary 4th Ed.

There are those that feel that any use of a child within by the media in this day and age should be considered abuse and that child’s parents or guardians should be scourged and then punished to the fullest extent of the law...

Why does this child or children need to be on television in front of millions of people? Someone needs to be asked that question and there should be another “someone” that answers that question on behalf of this child or children and this same person needs to look out for the best interest of this child or children. Does that mean that every child that is placed in front of a television camera is being exploited for the benefit of his or her parents or legal guardians? I answer this with an emphatic NO! There are still some very decent fair and loving people in this world today that would do whatever was in the best interest of that child. And that is not always to keep the child away from the television studios of California, Chicago and New York. As long as the desires of that child are being addressed and that child’s education is being maintained there is no reason the child cannot be a part of a successful television series.

There are “watchdog” groups in place to make sure that parents are not allowed to go too far in the use of their own child as a money train while the kid is still popular. Unfortunately there have been parents or legal guardians that have taken advantage of their talented child and have ridden that “money train” until the train was derailed. We know some of these kids that are not kids any more. They were financially used and abused until there was nothing left for them in the entertainment industry, guys like Gary Coleman, Corey Haim, Danny Bonaduce, Corey Feldman, Mike Lookinland and Willie Ames. These are but a few and there are many

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>