Big family, big spotlight

Stars of TLC's hit show Jon and Kate Plus 8.

There seems to be a new wave sweeping reality television on the TLC network. Last time I checked there are about three shows that focus on large American families, not counting special programs produced by the network. 

Shows like “Jon and Kate Plus 8,” “18 kids and Counting”, and TLC ‘s newest addition “Table for 12″ focus on what it’s like to live in middle class America with a ginourmous family.

I am not a fan.

I don’t know if this is the case because of my eminent dislike for the small critters people call children or because I could really care less about what goes on in another middle class American family other than my own.

On a positive note I must admit, listening to Kate flip out at Jon can be quite entertaining at times. That’s as good as it gets, and it’s pretty pathetic.

It seems these shows are trying to portray how “awesome” the day to day struggles of an American family, that just happens to be way bigger than the average family, can be.

Although these cases do seem to be inspirational for some, they can potentially send the wrong message to their audience. It seems like these parents are being rewarded for being quite irresponsible. This irresponsibility comes on different levels.

First, they are exposing very young children to the public eye, which can negatively affect their children’s development. Second, they are sending a message of “sexual irresponsibility”.

It’s not the 1950′s anymore,  the concept of big suburban families can send a message of social irresponsibility to the audience. Bringing all these innocent children into the world for wrong reasons such as public recognition and let’s be honest, cash endorsements is not right, (*cough Octo-mom cough*).

But who am I to judge, right? As long as influential people like the BIG “O” approve, the American public will keep consuming this kind of “family oriented” programing.