"Without Rules and Laws, Kid Nation Went Crazy"
That astute assessment was made by Mallory, who turned nine on last night's episode. She also won the gold star. If for no other reason than her observation of life in Bonanza City, she deserved the gold star. Last week it was beheading chickens. This week it was imposing the rule of law. What's next? According to the previews, religious dissension. Ooh...I can hardly wait.
The more we watch Kid Nation, the more we are concerned about the children's safety. Not to mention their physical and emotional well being. We are, after all, Safety4Kids, and that's what we do. We care about children. We're also trying to be open-minded. But the kids are not looking too good. Lots of sores on their lips. Lots of teeth-chattering cold. Lots of tears. And they are not eating very well (a handful of potatoes for breakfast--and we mean a handful--no one wanted to wash dishes so the potatoes were spooned into bare, dirty hands!)
Seems we're not the only ones concerned for the kids. According to a report on TMZ.com, Kid Nation is having a hard time finding a location within the United States for next season's filming, assuming there is a next season. Something about child labor laws?!
But last night was about making some rules. And to aid in the process, the "council" consulted their trusty "Journal", which they repeatedly describe as an authentic journal left by pioneers as a guide to creating a working community. We prefer to think of it as clear direction from the writers and producers on what to do next. The suggestion outlined in the journal was to impose a curfew. This made sense to the council since they were all overtired.
Shocker! The curfew helped the kids feel, well, less tired. And put them in better moods. And so, other than the wind storm that over-turned the outhouses, the kitchen crew refusing to make meals on time, the oldest kid, Greg, becoming more and more enraged and acting out as he is passed up for gold star status, and the ultimate revolt at the town meeting where the council received a vote of "no confidence", it was a typical couple of days in Bonanza City.
The younger children seem scared, especially when things seem out of control. The older kids are bossy. The council is power mad. And everyone is hungry and tired. And we find ourselves more and more concerned about the long-term effects of this experiment on the participants.
Please, someone tell us: is this really meant to be entertainment?
(c) Arlene Gee. Image from BigStockPhoto.com
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: Kid Nation, conflict, law, order, Safety4Kids
The more we watch Kid Nation, the more we are concerned about the children's safety. Not to mention their physical and emotional well being. We are, after all, Safety4Kids, and that's what we do. We care about children. We're also trying to be open-minded. But the kids are not looking too good. Lots of sores on their lips. Lots of teeth-chattering cold. Lots of tears. And they are not eating very well (a handful of potatoes for breakfast--and we mean a handful--no one wanted to wash dishes so the potatoes were spooned into bare, dirty hands!)
Seems we're not the only ones concerned for the kids. According to a report on TMZ.com, Kid Nation is having a hard time finding a location within the United States for next season's filming, assuming there is a next season. Something about child labor laws?!
But last night was about making some rules. And to aid in the process, the "council" consulted their trusty "Journal", which they repeatedly describe as an authentic journal left by pioneers as a guide to creating a working community. We prefer to think of it as clear direction from the writers and producers on what to do next. The suggestion outlined in the journal was to impose a curfew. This made sense to the council since they were all overtired.Shocker! The curfew helped the kids feel, well, less tired. And put them in better moods. And so, other than the wind storm that over-turned the outhouses, the kitchen crew refusing to make meals on time, the oldest kid, Greg, becoming more and more enraged and acting out as he is passed up for gold star status, and the ultimate revolt at the town meeting where the council received a vote of "no confidence", it was a typical couple of days in Bonanza City.
The younger children seem scared, especially when things seem out of control. The older kids are bossy. The council is power mad. And everyone is hungry and tired. And we find ourselves more and more concerned about the long-term effects of this experiment on the participants.
Please, someone tell us: is this really meant to be entertainment?
(c) Arlene Gee. Image from BigStockPhoto.com
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: Kid Nation, conflict, law, order, Safety4Kids
5 Comments:
I'm concerned about both their emotional and physical safety too. For the physical, it was cow/bull chasing (what were they thinking allowing that to happen??? it all worked out but sheesh!) and the dust storm with little ones tripping and the potential for getting lost. For the emotional, most of my problem comes from the bullying; last night was the first time I watched it from start to finish so there may be other problem people, but last night it was all about Greg. This young man has a lot of issues and it bothers me, for his sake and for the sake of others around him, that this is all playing out on national t.v.
For all I know he is being taken aside but we're not seeing that. And why is he allowed to continue there after behaving the way he does? Weren't there some basic rules they had to follow? This kind of thing can be disturbing enough when it's all adults on other reality shows; to have it involve children.... not good.
And yes, I have some concerns about their basic health BUT it appears they're turning a corner in this regard. Dishes are cleaned up, food is being prepared, curfew is now in place so they're able to rest.
Your chronology of events is a bit misleading; a lot of the bad stuff happened earlier on and things are starting to improve through the efforts of these kids.
As for the council; there is one member who was a problem and threw her weight around (and she was the youngest). That was confronted and she may now have the opportunity to turn things around too. The rest of the council members seem to take their responsibilities seriously.
I never intended to watch this show but I'm found I'm drawn in and actually find reason to hope when watching it. It's really great to watch kids take care of each other as a community and take steps to make their lives better. I like the challenges (or whatever they're called), like the teamwork necessary.
I share some of the concerns though and if there's ever a Kid Nation 2 I hope things are remedied.
I am also watching Kid Nation and
I am finding as the show goes on...
those kids are beginning to take
pride in themselves when they do
something that helps both them and
the others.
I get very concerned about Greg, the oldest boy... but, he's really
watching the others and I am hoping
he will 'get it' by opening his
eyes and 'seeing' that the gold star is earned by just being a good person and 'forgetting' about
trying to win it.... just earn it
by being helpful to himself and others without 'wanting something'.
The little bossy girl..... she is
also, learning how to 'control' her
bossiness and I saw her eyes take
pride when she 'listened' to the
others.
These kids have the option of leaving at anytime...... and they
do have supervision. I think it's
wonderful to see the kids grow and
do things they would otherwise never know ... they can do. They
will be the strongest for it.
I didn't like the chicken episode
one bit..... but, the children realized what they needed to have
in their bodies and....... if they
had to ..they could do what it took
to get it. That's being a survivor! I am impressed.
So far no one has been physical and
I hope they won't. I am impressed at how they do handle things in the end. I do think this program
will affect other kids in a positive way.
This is my opinion and I'm sure there are others who will agree...
and not agree. Gloria
I can only say that this is a wonderful show..I started watching from the very first episode because of the "controversy", and all I can see is children of different ages, etc, learning what life and the big picture is all about. Starting off with almost nothing to survive with or by and learning what has to be done to make their life easier and happy.
The children are not only learning responsibilites and how to survive and what to do about it, but how to help and care about others.
Yes, I also see they are being children at the same time, that has not been taken away, they laugh, play and enjoy themselves.
This is what life is all about and remember everyone..these children and others are our FUTURE!
lovingly,
GreatGrandmaJudi
PS: I am recommending and hoping that my grandchildren & great grandchidren can participate in the next season.
I love this show! My son will be 9 in Nov. and he really would like to be on the next cast!I think it will teach kids to appreciate more things in their life. Also, who doesn't want to earn that golden star? I sure would.The only thing I think that they should have gave the gold stars at the end so the kids could really shine without putting on a face just to win something.Anyways, those kids are cute and I hope this show stays a success.
The issue on Kid Nation of child labor laws, which is mentioned in this blog, is an important one that I feel is not getting enough attention when it comes to critiquing (or praising) this show.
A complaint has already been filed in Georgia by the mother of a 12-year-old girl who was burned in the face while cooking on the show.
New Mexico (where the show is taped) state officials have claimed that the network did not follow child welfare and labor laws.
I wonder what kind of non-liability clauses the children's parents had to sign before their children joined the cast of the show; something along the lines of, "you may be psychologically and emotionally damaged by participating on this show, but you've just signed all of your rights away by putting your pen to the dotted line".
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