Caf- Weekly: Jon and Kate Minus Their Dignity

TLC announced this week that their hit show, 'Jon & Kate Plus 8,' will be replaced with 'Kate Plus 8.' If you have been watching any kind of news or reading any kind of magazine, you are well aware that the famous Gosselin family has fallen apart. The adorable children are in the middle of a nasty divorce between their parents, and for some reason it is all being publicized further on television.

While I understand that contracts are signed and shows must go on, it is appalling to see that this show will continue during what could be the hardest period of the Gosselin children's lives. My own father left our family when I was younger than the children on this show, and if I had video diaries of the pain we suffered, I would never be able to forgive my parents for putting me through additional and unnecessary suffering. These children are witnessing the two people they love and trust the most being torn apart and moving on with their separate lives. What gives any of us the right to watch their real-life pain unfold on television?

Kate is at fault as a mother for putting her children through this kind of torture. While she can have the excuse of having a contract or wanting the money from the show, no legal document could keep me from protecting my family.

Then there is Jon, who has been the center of a media storm with whatever girlfriend has come forward to spill juicy gossip about the man. It amazes me how one unattractive father of eight can be so popular with the ladies, especially when they claim his personality is his best quality, not his money or fame. While I do think parents can move on with their love lives after a divorce, the fact still remains that Jon's children are going to be able to see all of this negative media attention one day. With just the click of a mouse, all eight of his children will someday have the privilege of seeing Daddy's romp in the hot tub with the sexy nanny plastered all over the tabloids.

While the media is at fault for much of the attention, by staying on the show and going to trendy events these two parents are feeding a burning media flame with gasoline. TLC could also be profiting from the turmoil in this family, and if the executives at this network had any morals they would pull the show from airing. This family has been ripped apart over different circumstances, and as decent human beings we should respect their privacy. Many people have had a role in publicizing this family, but it is time we all find something else to occupy our lives.