I certainly do not want to criticize these parents who have so much strength in raising these DS children but do they allow their children to have impossible goals ( i.e. starting a rap career) Now I'm not saying that DS people cannot attain great things, but to allow these flights of fantasy {that even someone without DS would have to realize are very unlikely}, will only lead to an inevitable disappointment for their children.
shareIt's no different than any of the millions of parents with non handicapped children that embrace their child's dreams of being a model, an actress, a chef, a rapper, the next Michael Jordan, the next Beyoncé, the realty star Kardashian or the next little girl to be on dance moms and become a super star. And those are just the day dreams of regular people that will NEVER be famous or ever be featured on a tv show. The people on this show lucked up on being on a reality show that actually is good. That right there alone is a once and lifetime opportunity that most people will never get. I would hope all parents would indulge in their kids ridiculous pipe dreams if they can and this show is allowing that chance that most parents don't get. I think it's great.
shareI think it is different because "typicals" have a different set of experiential mental & emotional tools to draw upon to handle disappointment.
Some of these folks may not be able to handle let downs well - and they are getting a whole lot of attention right now from people who are latching onto them because they're currently on a popular TV series. They may not handle it as well as some typicals when their 15 minutes of fame ends; they find they may not be able to segue their notoriety into some sort of alternative career venture, and the people paying so much attention to them now disappear.
For example: take Kristina's reaction to coming in 2nd at the dance contest. Most people would've been overjoyed to be in that position, but Kristina was upset. It seems she had some Disney-esque expectation that she should win, but when she didn't she had a little meltdown (and her mom had to have a talk with her to try to convince her to accept 2nd place gracefully).
Her reaction was developmentally immature (similar to how she felt any females wishing to speak to her boyfriend needed to consult her first to formally ask for permission.)
I think yes to a degree in the case of Kris/Megan, but not necessarily in the case of John and his mother. John's mother, while yes still putting more money than chump change towards his "career", isn't pouring tons of money into his rapping and she seems pretty realistic about it. Remember her deadline that he has until his 30th (iirc?) before he needs to get a job if his career doesn't make a profit. She walks a fine line, unlike Kris who has literally changed her entire life and is willing to pick up and move for Megan's dreams.
shareI feel like the show, more than the parents, is facilitating otherwise impossible (or at least many unlikely) scenarios. Thanks to BTW, Megan and Kris have gotten to visit LA for one month (the first season) and then move there for a period of time for this season. Is Kris really paying for these places to stay? I'm guessing it's the show. The show is allowing Megan to do things she would not otherwise get to do.
Sean and Steven getting to try out living with each other for awhile made for a nice storyline, and it was real experience too, but would it have even have happened at all, let alone an Airbnb rental? I'm guessing the show paid for that too. Will BTW keep doing such things, altering these folks' reality while the show is on?
John would not have been invited to Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta without this show too.
Don't get me wrong, I love this show, but it's hardly showing a realistic life for most of them anymore. Some are more changed than others. A few look unchanged thus far. I think the parents ultimately are handling these dreams and goals well. I like the message that they don't want to limit their children. It doesn't look like over-indulgence from them, but it does from the show. I'm not blaming the show, per se. It's just the nature of the beast... the beast that is "reality tv."
Katiedidd, I just want to say that I am in complete agreement with your post. While I love this show and am happy for the cast that they are being given these opportunities, I do agree that without the show almost none of these situations would occur. I just hope they are able to continue living out their dreams and that they are not brought to an end if/when the show ends because I am not sure how well the cast would be able to handle it coming to an end after being afforded all these somewhat far-reaching opportunities (and I say that whether they have DS or not).
shareI agree also. We originally tuned in to see what life is like for these people, but now we're seeing what an artificial reality created entirely by the media that set out to show us their reality is like for these people.
As I said on another thread, reality TV is altering the reality of the people it is featuring.
I think it's very easy to criticize people on this show without having to live their lives. Don't be so judgmental and if it's really bothering you stop watching the show. I hope no one judges the decisions you make in life the way you feel it's okay to judge theirs.
shareYou're the one who is being judgmental.For the sake of your political correctness you wish to shut down a conversation that has been written with the best intentions. I stated very clearly that my concern is for the DS people and their families.
It's extremely easy to shout that someone else is being unkind, while offering nothing but platitudes and blind admiration.
Well said. I found their comment very odd.
shareOdd? as in drop the mike on you?
sharePardon? I don't know what you mean.
shareYou know I was saying "well said" to you right? Not that any of your comments were odd.
shareSorry, I misunderstood you.
shareNo prob. Yeah, I did not understand why indialm thought your topic was judgemental or dispensed the "stop watching" advice at all. Their take on this topic is just odd, but I waited to say anything because I already scoffed at one of their posts in another thread.
This topic totally has merit, and you said it very tactfully.
I'm so sorry Katiedidd I posted the reply to the wrong person. I'm so sorry.
shareI don't think the parents of these kids allow or promote impossible dreams any more than parents of regular kids. I mean 90% of parents tell their kids that they can do anything they set their minds to and sorry, but that is simply not true. DS or not, not everyone can do "anything" they set their minds to and not everyone can do anything they want to do. It's a silly thing to implant something like that in anyone's mind but I can see how it could be even more touchy for DS kids when those dreams don't pan out.
All that being said, I don't think any of the parents here have really set their kids up for unrealistic expectations. Just my opinion.
"Your petty vengeance fetish will have to do withOUT Mr. Groin!"
No I don't think that at all. I think most parents encourage their kids to go for their dreams. I think the reason you might feel like this is because i person without DS has the means to try and make their dreams come true all on their own, but a person with DS needs help with it. John becoming a rapper, is that realistic no not really but its not like his mom is shelling over thousands of dollars on it, and she actually has made him pay her back for some of the stuff as well as setting a time frame on things. If John didn't have DS then I would assume his parents would probably still encourage him to go for his dreams, but you wouldn't see them having to help.
shareThe simple answer is yes.
I was blessed with a DS cousin for 22 years and I know my aunt did everything possible NOT TO LIMIT HIM. But did he get to meet his favorite movie star? No. Did he get to drive or even sit in a Nascar? No. I'm sure my aunt would have let him be on BTW if promised such things. And I'm sure most of thsee parents allowed it with pure and loving hearts.
But what's next? Hopefully, there is money left after facelifts, trips, and other unnecessary spending.
I also think for parents of DS there has to be a bit of resentment. This life is not typical. Also what about the kids with FS who are watching?
I think it's all inspiring to be sure. But really... we are ALL limited. When thsee kids are off the show it will be a horrible rude awakening. IMHO of course.