Gone are the days when almost all children read story books, made play houses and clay toys and bullied their ever patient grandparents to buy them the toys they wanted.
Well even today a small section of children carry on with these healthy pastimes enjoying their childhood to maximum. As a result of the wholesome upbringing they end up being law abiding citizens blessed with both mental and physical strength to bear the vicissitudes of life.
However everyone is not fortunate to have such an innocent childhood nowadays.
Even a trip down, an off the beaten track, would not spare one of the sight of hoardings with pictures of little girls in reality shows begging the votes of the passers by.
Given the huge media blitz created by TV channels the majority of Sri Lankan children even as young as 5, 6 and 7 years are vying to be a dancing star, to gyrate like a belly dancer in front of hundreds while their parents cheer from the audience. And perhaps worse, often with the blessings of the school principals
Initially one thought that this trend of kids’ reality shows would not go beyond the channel which came under strong attacks for its portrayal of children in the programmes.
Unfortunately today almost all, including state media,have joined the bandwagon that exploits the talents of prodigious children for commercial purposes in a very cheap manner. This is despite warnings by psychologists on the negative impact of such programmes on cognitive, emotional and social development of children who watch or participate in those.
The trend started off with adult shows. It was followed by teen shows. The latest are the shows for 5-12 age group. Sri Lanka is certainly close to the day that it would see toddlers on these shows which would test the physical and mental endurance levels of the tiny tots.
Surely all these children have their own rights and given the enthusiasm displayed by the parents it is obvious that it’s the parents who push them for the shows most of the time.
The question is should the children be penalized for the crimes of the parents, mostly uneducated ones who are out to seek glory for the family through their kids’ talents?
For the generation of youngsters that watch the crowing glory of the winners, victory at reality shows would be the ultimate dream and ambition in life. If there’s a dearth of professionals in the country in the next ten, fifteen years time, one should not be surprised. This generation loathes books, has absolutely no patience and is only interested in dolling up as dancing stars.
The moral police of the government which is now after websites and movies with high obscenity content may well keep a tab on these programmes which inflict a heavy toll on the mindset of the future generation of Sri Lanka.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=59542
Well even today a small section of children carry on with these healthy pastimes enjoying their childhood to maximum. As a result of the wholesome upbringing they end up being law abiding citizens blessed with both mental and physical strength to bear the vicissitudes of life.
However everyone is not fortunate to have such an innocent childhood nowadays.
Even a trip down, an off the beaten track, would not spare one of the sight of hoardings with pictures of little girls in reality shows begging the votes of the passers by.
Given the huge media blitz created by TV channels the majority of Sri Lankan children even as young as 5, 6 and 7 years are vying to be a dancing star, to gyrate like a belly dancer in front of hundreds while their parents cheer from the audience. And perhaps worse, often with the blessings of the school principals
Initially one thought that this trend of kids’ reality shows would not go beyond the channel which came under strong attacks for its portrayal of children in the programmes.
Unfortunately today almost all, including state media,have joined the bandwagon that exploits the talents of prodigious children for commercial purposes in a very cheap manner. This is despite warnings by psychologists on the negative impact of such programmes on cognitive, emotional and social development of children who watch or participate in those.
Surely all these children have their own rights and given the enthusiasm displayed by the parents it is obvious that it’s the parents who push them for the shows most of the time.
The question is should the children be penalized for the crimes of the parents, mostly uneducated ones who are out to seek glory for the family through their kids’ talents?
For the generation of youngsters that watch the crowing glory of the winners, victory at reality shows would be the ultimate dream and ambition in life. If there’s a dearth of professionals in the country in the next ten, fifteen years time, one should not be surprised. This generation loathes books, has absolutely no patience and is only interested in dolling up as dancing stars.
The moral police of the government which is now after websites and movies with high obscenity content may well keep a tab on these programmes which inflict a heavy toll on the mindset of the future generation of Sri Lanka.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=59542
