Are Dance Reality Shows Exploiting Kids?


Are Dance Reality Shows Exploiting Kids?

Superrrr se bhi Upparrrr – Can you connect to this remark? It is common in one of the leading dance reality shows on National Television! I am not naming anyone here but you know which show I am talking about! Not just this show but every dancing reality show I have come across is exploiting kids.

Have you seen these shows? I happened to see one episode and the amount of effort the children put into their performance is mammoth-like and what really irked me the most at one point was when a judge said that there are more expectations from the contestants! The competition level is simply going higher and higher with every new season of the show. Children are doing death-defying gymnastics and not DANCE! A little mistake can lead to an injury; this is what I feel as a spectator. Anything can go wrong at any point of time. It is highly deplorable to see such innocent children being used for showbiz. The judges are filling their pockets, the channel is garnering attention and getting TRPs and who is suffering ultimately? – The child participants. The little children should have a protected and happy childhood and not be exploited in the name of talent.  

Source: Hindustan Times

What effect do such shows have on other kids?

Children who put in efforts to learn a particular dance form or those who do free style dancing like how a kid should be doing are being sidelined. The feeling upon seeing performances of ordinary children is like – ‘This is too ordinary to be called dancing talent’. ‘Level up, get better, better and break the ceiling!’ It is getting too much to handle as other children are getting discouraged as they can’t match up to the level of reality show participants and their circus-like performance. Comparison is natural with the participants and it makes the young minds feel that they are no good.

Why no one else is looking at it this way?

Now what astonishes me is the fact that why don’t other people react to this burning issue of ‘almost child labour’ and exploitation and put up a fight against it? Is there sufficient safety in these shows? I don’t see any precautionary measures being taken there. What if someone gets hurt? Who will be held responsible? I feel as though people are enjoying the circus and are absolutely not bothered about the fate of the children who are attempting such dangerous stunts. Has the Indian audience turned a blind eye to such shows?

Too many questions poured in here but I want to bring this matter to the forefront. Is it right to make use of kids and put their lives in danger to earn money? I really wonder how the parents of the participants are able to bear all this. What is the catch behind their silence? They are feeling proud of their kids performing such feats on stage but little do they realize that if some other kid tries to imitate the same actions at home, what will happen? This is an immensely disappointing behaviour. Talent should be brought into the limelight but not at the cost of someone’s life.

Think and share your views in the comment section below!

Love,
Vinita



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