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VOICE YOUR VIEWS - REALITY SHOWS: A PRESSURE ON KIDS?
They said it
Hard lessons
Participating in such shows calls for enormous amount of grit, determination and killer instinct on the part of kids. Hence, they should be groomed and coached through mock drills and soft skills training. This is must for those kids who are chicken-hearted, introvert, shy and timid. Even those with superb skills must be taught how to lose gracefully. In fact, reality shows provide ample opportunities for kids to develop team spirit and handle pressure and conflict.
B. R. Kumar
Former Deputy Director General, AIR & DD, Prasar Bharati, South Zone
Dangerous trend
There is a plethora of such shows on air. It has become an indirect form of child labour, practised by ambitious parents. This overdose of glamour and public attention do not augur well for young minds. Moreover, the shocks and humiliation they face in front of a national and sometimes, international audiences, is a matter of concern. It’s time we think of positive ways of channelising their talent.
L. Jaba Sheela
Assistant Professor Panimalar Engineering College
Disturbing trend
‘Mesmerising’, mindblowing’, ‘what a performance’, ‘see the confidence of the 10-year-old’…are what we often hear. Suddenly, the tension builds up. The results are to be announced and you see a heartbroken father, a sobbing mother and you can see the losing participant hiding her/his tears and hugging the winners (how mature an act!). A dance show here, a music show there or a mimicry show. What are we up to? Is not every child talented? Why should we demoralise them in the name of talent hunts? As parents and teachers, if we do not allow them to bloom, who will? Do we just want little robots, bringing home medals and cash prizes? Too many unanswered questions.
Anuradha Sriram
Teacher T.T. Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Focus on talent
Being an ex-finalist of two reality shows I’d say that “pressure” is an entirely personal concept. The job of a reality show is to get hold of talented fresh faces and run a show as gossip-filled and as dramatised as possible. It is up to the parents of contestants to be smart enough to educate their children about the pros and cons of such shows. And, the children must learn to concentrate on their talent, rather than get pressurised by the judges’ comments.
One cannot blame the shows alone. Their format is such. The cure is simple: Believe in your talent, perform for those who love you and make use of the opportunity given.
Rashmi Vijayan
‘Top 28’ Indian Idol Season III contestant, ‘Top 11’ contestant on Amrita TV’s Super Star Global
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