Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Before He Cheats

Have you been reading the tabloids lately? If so, you’ve probably heard about what Jon did. Reportedly, Jon Goselin of Jon & Kate plus 8 has been cheating on his wife with a 23-year-old teacher. Is it true?

Jon & Kate Plus 8 is one of TLC’s star reality tv shows. It follows the lives of Jon and Kate Gosselin and their sextuplets and twins. (wow) The show’s fifth season is scheduled to premier on May 25, with more expected viewers than ever. Since the allegations of Jon cheating have started other rumors have arisen as well; that they are separated, and that Kate may have cheated. All this hype is sure to increase there numbers and make for a well-watched season. TLC isn’t shy about using this to their advantage, as they are advertising on their website that we can “hear it straight from them” during the season premier.

These accusations bring up ethical and moral issues. How will the kids be affected if he did cheat and (1) there is a publicized divorce or (2) she stays with her unfaithful husband? Jon and Kate say they are trying to give their children normal childhoods, but how is being reality television stars fulfilling that goal? The show is more an exploitation of the children’s lives for money and the entertainment of others. The kids are so young that most of their childhood memories will involve cameras and crewmen. Sure, they will have better home videos then the rest of us, but is that worth being able to read about your parent’s rocky relationship in old magazines or seeing their skirmishes on old episodes. I’m sure Jon & Kate saw an opportunity, a chance to be able to afford clothes, braces, and college tuition, and took it. (Whether they can afford the years of therapy will be another thing.) I just wonder if they realized how much was being compromised and the affect that the show could have on the kids’ ability to grow into well-adjusted adults.

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Jon & Kate are supposed to represent familial success, even through hard times. If they can’t recover from this scandal it will not only hurt their family but it will shake the confidence of millions of viewers and reinforce the idea that family values are being lost in the US.


Posted by Julia Cooch

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