Reality TV: Life in the Gutter?

How low has society gone? On the news today is the story of a new reality show featuring an Atlanta rapper who has 11 children with 10 mothers. It’s called, “All My Babies’ Mamas.” Ugh.

Multichannel: The Parents Television Council asked the network not to let the program on the air, calling it “grotesquely irresponsible and exploitive.”

Some people are taking offense at the message this is sending to their children. Author Sabrina Lamb organized a petition to stop this show (which you can sign at Change.org).

Lamb: As dysfunctional and violent as so-called reality shows are, could you ever imagine a one hour spectacle where 11 children are forced to witness their 10 unwed mothers clamor for financial support, emotional attention and sexual reward from Shawty-Lo, the apathetic ‘father’?

Could you imagine that Oxygen Media, known for violent programming targeting young women with stereotypical images, would consider the embarrassment that these children will experience, being used as entertainment?

Could you imagine that Oxygen Media, would use a slur against mothers, fathers and children and entitle this debacle, “All My Babies’ Mamas”? Cori Abraham, Oxygen Media, Senior Vice President of Development wrote in a press release: “…..over-the-top moments that our young, diverse female audience can tweet and gossip about….leaving the man of the house to split his affection multiple ways while trying to create order… but sharing your man with several opinionated women is bound to create issues.”

Tragically, this day has come.

It appears the trailer for the show has been removed but you can still see part of it here from LovelyTi’s website along with her commentary. (The reality show clip begins at about 1 minute.):

There is no doubt that if this show does air young people will watch it and will see this as a lifestyle to emulate.

S2Magazine quoting Lamb: Sabrina said she thinks reality TV has created a dangerous precedent and is sending the wrong message, especially to young, impressionable females.

“[Oxygen] is saying to these young women, it’s okay to have unprotected sex, it’s okay to be a ‘babies’ mama’ and the other baby mama is your enemy,” she said. “You can’t exploit these innocent children and then tell your viewers to tweet and gossip about them. It offers really dangerous stereotypes about us.”

Sure there are reality shows that are educational or give a glimpse into a unique life but some of these news shows are an insult to the majority of Americans. Like Jersey Shore, Honey Boo Boo and the new reality show Buckwild the characters of these shows represent a stereotypical perception of a society without education or morals. Is this how we want society to see us?

If you believe in traditional values it’s time to speak up. Sign the petition. Write to the stations or better to their advertisers. There is a moral majority and we need to be heard. It’s time to take a stand. Our children are watching.