Comments on: Kin: "Jon & Kate" Kids Being "Exploited"

Her Brother And Sister-in-law Call For Laws Protecting Children In Reality Shows

I've never watched the show. And, in general, I think that reality show cameras in general should be limited to "adults". Kids who grow up in the limelight seem to have more than their fair share of psychological problems (e.g. Michael Jackson, Britney Spears).

However, you also have to consider that it's expensive to raise 8 children. From what I've read, these two parents could never actually support them on their own. Would these children be more damaged from having cameras in their faces all the time, or from having Mom and Dad both working 2 jobs and having to eat macaroni and cheese 3 meals a day (exaggeration, but not too far from the truth)?

Without having watched the show (I live overseas and don't have access to it), my first impulse is to say that unless there is clear sign of damage being done, err on the side of caution and let the parents raise their kids however they see fit.

[starbuckslover]

I find it ironic how Kate says she doesn't let the kids watch TV unless it's their show, but yet she allows them to BE on TV.

[mrscoffield]

Whatever the motives of these family members for coming on air, they do raise some interesting points about children's rights with regards to reality television. If these cameras constantly there puts that big of a strain on two adults that are in control of their lives, I can't imagine how it must effect 8 little ones that don't really have a voice in all this. Especially with the older girls, they are going to want some private moments away from cameras that aren't publicized all over the Nation/Internet/World and for all their peers at school to see.
I really hope that for Jon, Kate and all 8 of their children they are able to restore their marriage and leave TV land behind them.

[o2bewealthy]

Every year, more and more reality shows make the airwaves, and every year, I watch less and less television.

[ashley_fusilier000]

These people are celebrities and celebrities have haters and opinionated people because, nobody really knows the truth. They are parents and if you are a parent you should know that "we" as parents only do whats best for out kids. These people are in the public eye so don't judge them. Kevin and Jodi maybe receiving a lump sum of money to state what they did....WE WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRUTH AND CAN ONLY GUESS !!! WE don't know whats true. I love the show on TLC and will continue to watch because, me and my daughter have feel in love with the family. If you don't agree with the parents and their choices, don't watch.

[belleitalia1092]

I'm going to just say this first:
-I don't disagree with what Kevin and Jodi say about the kids and how they're being exploited. I think it's a mess and that one or two specials would be ok, or maybe like even one a year just because they have an interesting situation. But to have cameras rammed into those kids faces to the point that they don't know any different is awful. They've gotten tummy tucks, teeth treatments, hair transplants, trips to fun places for free, a huge house, and money in the bank we probably don't even know about (and really, it's not our business) That may be great for them but at what cost?!?!

Something Jon said in the interview struck a chord. "One day my kids are going to Google me" the sad fact is, they'll put the pieces together far before they're computer literate. They are even old enough now to figure out some of it. All they know is there's cameras everywhere and mommy is always gone and everyone knows who they are. Now, daddy's leaving and they'll be left with babysitters (or new Mommy...)


What is killing me in this situation, they're going to google and find their Aunt Jodi and Uncle Kevin bashing their parents on national TV...when no one even asked them in the first place. Don't Kevin and Jodi realize that they are making this situation worse by attracting more interest and attention to their family. Now the paparazzi will follow them more to provide photographic proof of these "Facts" Jodi and Kevin are stating. Kevin and Jodi may feel like they are doing the right thing by coming forward, but they're adding fuel to the fire and even of their original intentions are good, at what cost are they making themselves known?

The kids may think their aunt and uncle were the only ones to speak on their behalf... but what if they don't? What if they see their aunt and uncle on a paid appearance airing out their dirty laundry on national TV?
Jodi's sister has a blog too... WHO ASKED HER?!??!

It seems to me that Kevin and Jodi just want a piece of all this, since they weren't paid for the show. Notice how this all blew up like this when that mess happened? (Not that I think they were wrong for being upset.... Kate is a pretty twisted person. Really twisted actually.)
But really, all this is doing is putting more kids in these cameras faces, there's going to be tell-all books, more blogs, more video interviews, more CRAP about their family that Jodi and Kevin just claimed to want to "protect"

There's two sides to EVERY story, and in many cases, more than two. People will do a lot of things for money.... ("If someone gave you $20K you'd make up anything" paraphrased...obviously)

People have good and bad sides to them.... all people., Even Kevin and Jodi. So think a minute before you deem them heroes.

[httpwwwnews]

I really enjoyed watching this show, all the foibles of this family, Their vacations, Kate's flip outs, Jon's grins, the adorable babies and the spunky twins. Now with all the mud being slung about Jon and Kate, the show has lost its sparkle for me. I really feel uncomfortable watching...

[Orchids88]

Californiagirl said: ?Jon and Kate did have "real jobs" She was a nurse and quit when she had 6 babies at once. DUH. And jon held a job most of the time they were on TLC in Technology. He later got a job in Tech that allowed him to be home more. Then later (recently) he stopped an outside job. DUH.?

Sheesh, some people will believe any lie Jon & Kate throw out. It has been widely reported in the Philadelphia Eagle and other Pennsylvania newspapers that Jon & Kate were on Public Assistance previous to pimping out their kids to TLC. Kate worked sporadically between the births of the kids and Jon went from job to job, with lots of off time in between.

The supposed Tech job that enabled him to be home more after the show was on for a while was a fabrication. Jon has not had any employer other than TLC in years.

Kate has publically stated in her church appearances that it annoyed her that Jon could never hold a job for any length of time. And that she worked part-time at a dialysis clinic on and off for less than two years. The citizens of PA paid the multimillion dollar medical bill after the sextuplets were born, because J & K did not have jobs. It's public record. DUH.


These two are just a couple of con artists. Do some research and don?t just repeat the lies Jon & Kate spew. DUH.

TerriLJohnson, Jody and Kevin were never all for TLC and the show. They had concerns from day 1 about the exploitation of the children and it was one reason Jody volunteered to be on the show. She was an advocate for the children while on the show - telling the crew they needed a break, or a snack, or it was time to stop for the day because Kate paid no attention and Jon was afraid to speak up for fear of what Kate would say.

You actually support Jon and Kate airing their marital problems on the same show as their sextuplet's 5th birthday celebration - forever captured for the world - and them to see? Do you honestly believe this show is in the best interests of the health, well being, emotional security and health, happiness, and security of the children? Honestly? I won't call you names as you did Kevin and Jody, but anyone who honestly believes Jon and Kate believe this show has done no harm to their children and will not in the future and should continue - I send my sympathy to your family.

Can you imagine being one of the Gosselin children 8 years from now and watching reruns of their 5th party show and honestly say that they won't feel pain and that their parents made a good decision to make that show? And to read the stories and interviews they've done about their family and their marriage as they navigate this rocky, very public shake-up? To everyone who believes Jon and Kate are making good decisions for their children to go ahead with the show, putting themselves and their young children in the spotlight weekly - I can only shake my head, frown, and wonder where your hearts are -- or if you have any. You should be hurting for those children whose childhoods are being exploited by their parents for fame, money, and to satisfy a selfish, immature needy personality.

[BCarefulWhatUWish4]

Jodi & Kevin are heroes to their 8 nieces & nephews.....and someday soon the kids will know it & bless them for their courage.

"Every truth passes through three stages before it is recognized. In the first, it is ridiculed, in the second it is opposed, in the third it is regarded as self-evident. "~Arthur Schopenhauer

This quote should be familiar to Jodi & Kevin (and Julie).
Stay strong! And stay loud!!!

Don'tjudge8, The Gosselin's gave up their rights to privacy when they signed the contracts for their show; not once but 5 times. We have every right to comment on what we see, the things we think they're doing right, wrong, lovingly, cruely, harshly, exploitatively.

If the Gosselin's want to stop the comments and criticism it's very easy and simple and would make everyone but Kate happy. Stop the show! The show stops and so do the comments, it's actually very simple, painless, and quick. And no one gets hurt anymore.

Let's get our stories straight - to the 3-4 posters below: Kate quit her job because she missed being with her babies, not because she was needed at home - Jon was there and so was a nurse! Secondly, Jon worked very sporadically during their marriage; something Kate recently said it annoyed her very much that he couldn't hold a job. He hasn't worked in over 2 years and the job he held before the 6 were born he was fired from for violating company policy. Jody and Kevin never asked to be paid and would have gladly stayed on the show for free but TLC wanted to pay them. However, Kate said NO and she also severed her ties to them at the same time along with ties to their children - her kids cousins, her own nieces and nephews with no regrets or second thoughts. Some caring mom, and aunt and sister and sister-in-law, huh? These people were important to Jon, but she threw fits when she found out he had had contact with them!

I am disgusted that TLC would show such a tender moment between Jon and his daughter just to pull at the viewers heartstrings and get ratings. That conversation should have been a private moment between a father and daughter. Each person who watched last night stole something from the children that they?ll never get back. They deserve respect, privacy and security. Their own parents have taken that away from them. TLC and Figure 8 Films are equally to blame. It's all about money people.

I thank you, CBS for allowing Jody and Kevin a platform to address their concerns for their extended family and for all minors involved in reality tv. CA has laws protecting minors in reality, but PA does not and there are NO laws protecting the Gosselin children from exploitation. And exploitation (and many feel it's abuse also) is definitely what has happened to the Gosselin children since birth.

The parents are unwilling to give up their very lucerative paycheck - the kids in the show - refuse to allow them to grow up without cameras in their faces. Their greed is blinding them, preventing them from making loving decisions about their children's welfare. The children are isolated from peers, and know the production crew better than their friends at school - whom they only see at school. These children's hard work has bought their parents mansion with 23 acres, sports cars, SUV's, atv's, motorized outdoor adult toys, sports equipment, recreational condo, diamond jewelry, designer clothes, spa visits weekly, tanning weekly, designer footwear and handbags, expensive vacations, and much, much more -- with absolutely NO guarantees that even one cent has been saved for the kids' futures. There is something wrong with this story.

Thank you CBS for bringing this to the attention of many who have never heard of the controvercy surrounding this family. Please don't stop now with this story. Please invite Paul Petersen on your show for a lengthly interview about how the Gosselin parents are exploiting their children. Invite respected child psychologists. Invite more "ex-friends and ex-family" (why 'ex'? Because they have no current family or friends and none will talk).

Please keep this story in the mainstream media and save these children from their parent's selfish desires and blindness and bring it to the attention of lawmakers and people who can help enact laws to protect children from abuses and exploitation that is happening to the Gosselin minors. Please be the leaders in speaking out for children - those who cannot speak for themselves. You would want it done for your children if you were not around, so please do it for the Gosselin children. Help start legislation to protect minors in the reality entertainment industry!

[scislandgirl]

How sad that CBS would waste air-time on kevin & jodi kreider! They, like the aledged girlfriend of Jon - "Deanna Hummel" & her ex-con brother Jason are out to make a fast buck!! We hope that Jon gets his crap together. Deanna's parents could not be to proud of her right now. We really hope Jon & Kate work it out! As long as you have women spreading their legs for the "married man" - there will be dirty affairs!
God watch over the children.

[terriLjohnson]

shame shame shame on CBS.....

If they had done their journalistic homework they would have known that Kevin and Jodi were all for the show when TLC offered to pay Jodi for her spot of fame. Jodi and Kevin only turned vindictive on their family AFTER Jon and Kate objected to the arrangement.

I find it pretty disgusting that they gave Jodi and Kevin a forum on this mornings interview without asking some tough questions about the very well known broken relationship.

There is a lot more expoitation going on other than the accused Gosselin parents.
Specifically Jodi, Kevin AND CBS need to look in the mirror. What makes their exploitation of the situation right? It makes no sense to the millions of J & K supporters....

[onlywhenthejealous]

I see things 4 what they R. Kate's brother and sister-law, should be ASHAMED of themselves. They need to go back 2 work or whatever they do and stay away from the cameras and any tv/radio or magazine interviews. They seem intrusive and jealous! They are on the outside trying to get in however they can, and it's coming off ugly. Kate and Jon R the parents and whatever they r going through right or wrong is between the two of them. If they are making money for now and the future of their children, it's their business. Not up to Kate's slimmey Brother and his wife. Shut Up. Leave them alone. Take care of your own marriage and children. Please!!!

[CaliforniaGirl2009]

to the posting below: Jon and Kate did have "real jobs" She was a nurse and quit when she had 6 babies at once. DUH. And jon held a job most of the time they were on TLC
in Technology. He later got a job in Tech that allowed him to be home more. Then later
(recently) he stopped an outside job. DUH.

So much criticism, leave them alone. If someone had a chance to view your lives are you all perfect robots.

I wish Jon and Kate could just step away from all this media garbage which only happens because Media chases ratings. TLC got a hit and the media rats came for there crumbs.

Leave them alone and let them have some peace.
Treat them like you'd want to be treated when you were hurting.

I never understand what it is in ALOT of human beings that loves stamping on someone already hurting or down.
I like to lift them, lend a helpful hand and lead them out of the pain.

Geez people are so mean !!!

[shanarochelle]

Jon and Kate are not exploiting there childern. Yes they are making millions but they are providing the needs for there childern and not living on assistance from the goverment. They are not the only young childern on TV. People say the childern didn't choose that way of life the parents did. Well think about baby's that play in movies they didn't choose that way of life either there parents did but people say nothing about them.

[momofspecialneeds]

We adopted two special needs children in 2000. As a result of the stressors over the years we lost everything we had ever worked for. In order to save our marriage, we gave up our home, our savings, our retirement, our vehicles, filed bankruptcy, and I gave up my career. We moved away to start our lives over again because we knew what our children needed most, was us, their parents. We adopted our children having no idea the dramatic medical needs that they were going to have, and the lack of support that we would not receive as a result. Their chronic medical conditions drove us into bankruptcy and nearly divorce. But we found ourselves again. And it was VERY hard. But we did it. For our family. I say this, because Jon and Kate can too. IF THEY WANT TO! But you have to decide to. You have to decide that NOTHING is more important than each other and your family unit. Nothing is more important than giving your children the ultimate gift, their family. Money, career, a house, cars, nothing is more important than children having their moms and dads. Having a happy home with them in it. I can not explain how hard I worked through the early 80's rising through the ranks in a fire and rescue career, only to have to give it up in the name of my family. It broke my heart. And to give up my beautiful home and big SUV. But nothing can replace growing old with the man I love. And I didn't know if that was going to be possible for a while, but we did it. And if we can, anyone can. I give alot of credit to my husband. To be honest, he was doing the "love dare" long before there was a love dare. He did it to me. And it worked. I suggest they do it. If Jon and Kate did that, instead of a show and writing books about their kids...they would give their kids a family. I know this, from personal experience. We live meagerly, but we are a family. And we are happy. Jon and Kate and their 8 could be too.

[donnakayturner]

What is wrong with you people? The Gosselin's aren't the only TLC family to have children on t.v. I agree, it needs to stop. But stop bashing them and them alone!

Kevin and Jodi are as much to blame by bringing those children BACK into the spotlight instead of minding their own business!

[aiglustizgood]

These pathetic people are not making anY $ and are outta the loop.So now there seeking thier 15 min..please...... you guys are just jeolous and bitter.get over it.