From the time reality shows of different genres, types and tastes started filling up prime time slots, people across different age groups have enjoyed it. I, myself used to be a dedicated spectator and audience of Star Voice of India, Indian Idol, and Sa Re Ga Ma. Shows like Roadies and Rakhi Ka Swayamvar set the young audiences on the roll.
However, there was one incident involving a child named Shinjini Sengupta which has opened a can of worms. It has been alleged that Shinjini went into depression after some harsh comments made by the judges of the reality show that she was a part of. Unfortunately, Shinjini took a turn for the worst and she was hospitalised with acute depression. This has raised the fundamental question that should little children be subject to the harsh realities of reality shows or not.
One theory is that if children have the will to participate in such shows, then they should also have the guts to accept its consequences, which poor Shinjini could not. I feel that is fair enough. Today’s kids are no sitting ducks that judges’ constructive comments could hurt them emotionally. They should be well prepared for failures and success and if their parents can encourage them to participate, they can also counsel them to move on if rejected.
The bigger challenge is actually for the parents. They are so freaked out about the child earning a name, in whatever way possible, in whichever age possible, just to get that one step ahead of their neighbor’s child, that they just push the kids into deadly warfronts like reality shows long before they are actually ready for it mentally. Some kids are smart enough and go through it, and earn a name for themselves. Some kids cannot do that however. In my opinion, if the parents feel that their kid, in spite of being extremely talented, is not strong enough mentally to take on the rigors of a reality show, then they should not make the child participate. In that case, we would not have another Shinjini Sengupta.
No comments:
Post a Comment