I find it absurd how TV child actors (particularly on sitcoms) are forced to suffer at the hands of the media and public when they reach adolescence. They become famous on a show at elementary school age and once they reach middle school they're forced to still look, talk and act like little kids. Their hair is fixed, their voices trained and they wear little kid clothes. All this just to satisfy the inconsiderate people who refuse to believe children grow up.

When you look at shows such as LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE COSBY SHOW and ROSEANNE, the children on the show grew and changed with each passing season and new children were brought in. As a result the shows lasted a long time. At least 8 years.
Shows such as THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK AND CODY, which hasn't even been on 5 years I believe is deteriorating because of people's refusal to let go of them. Cole and Dylan Sprouse are 14 and their characters are still looking, talking and behaiving like spoiled little kids. How can the media, network and lots of the public be so shallow and inconsiderate? Children are not Muppets! Children are not cartoons! CHILDREN ARE PEOPLE! People grow and change! Being in show business does not stop that!

Those who refuse to let go of children when they get older, do yourselves a favor and fess up to reality. Kids have a hard enough time with adolescence in real life; why should it be made worse on a TV or movie set? Put their feelings first, okay?

Learn more about this author, Brian Isaac.
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