I think it depends on how old they are, honestly. An adult child would have the confidence and the sense to know that it's not personal, but just a strange by-product of their parent's profession, much like a celebrity child. But if that child is 7 or 10, I think it would be cruel to make fun of them. I think it was horribly inappropriate for SNL to make fun of Chelsea Clinton when she was an awkward looking 13 year old. That crossed the line. But making fun of Jenna Bush for sneaking into a bar with the Secret Service? I think that's more appropriate because she was an adult making a decision that was laughed about. Do I think she deserved to be chastised for that decision? No. Most college students sneak into bars. But I don't think it was out of line to make fun of her for it.
Also, I think it depends on what they are saying. If they are just being critical of someone's looks, like Chelsea Clinton, it's unnecessary and cruel. If they are making fun of a decision made, like Jenna Bush, it's more appropriate.
How much privacy should the receive. >> How much privacy would you want your own child to receive. I think discretion and caution needs to be used. These children need to be protected from the wacko's out there.
Is it right to judge or critic their behavior based on their parent's title? Minors no - adult children yes.
What do you expect of them? I expect the Obama girls to be normal little girls - as much as that will be humanly possible
Should comedians make fun of them? >> I'm sure some will but I find that extremely tacky.
Gosh darn it--you almost had me there in 100% agreement.
I have to agree that anyone saying anything about the "looks" of a child is despicable. I don't know that I could have any respect for anyone finding humor in belittling an innocent kid over something so petty, irrelevant and beyond their control.
But I would extend the same courtesy to the other children as well unless their behavior was so over the top as to warrant the public spotlight. Picking on Jenna Bush for an activity that is so typical of the age just gives all the more less credibility to the press than they already have.
But if you're only referring to the after the fact light-hearted joking about her behavior--then maybe we do agree after all. That is an expected consequence of her action which she might have considered before committing the act.
I think we are in complete agreement! I also thought the Bush twins were treated unfairly -- what college student doesn't try to sneak into a bar? Give me a break! But how could a comedian pass up the opportunity to remark on the fact that they tried to sneak into a bar with Secret Servicemen? That's funny!
Good-hearted ribbing I don't have a problem with--but it's a fine line. Chelsea Clinton by all accounts is a wonderful young woman and anyone who would say anything negative about her should be ashamed of themselves. But even if she were a spoiled brat there is no justification for negatively commenting on her looks. Frankly I don't even favor too many compliments with regards to looks.
Having boy/girl twins made me keenly aware of what a disservice society does to its girls/women. While some may view may opinion as strange (not the first time as you may be able to guess)........it really bothered me when people would fawn all over my baby daughter and they always remarked how "beautiful" she was or some such other remark about her looks. I thought, "My Gosh, we condition them from infancy that their looks are important". That didn't happen with my son. He received comments I suppose are more typical of all baby boys. Comments about what a big boy he was, or a strong boy, or a smart boy were more common although there were some about being a handsome boy. Of course people were only being nice and I know this but still--bugged me.
I always made it a point to comment on positive behaviors I noted in children out in public instead of on their looks. My mother did make a point to remind me that the options with infants are limited!
Holy cow, this is a miracle! Another post where we are in complete agreement! My friend has a 3 year old daughter who is classically beautiful. But instead of being overly confident in her looks, which I also think would do her a serious disservice, she is told constanly how smart and funny she is. I hope that continues because it will help her out so much more to feel smart and capable, instead of beautiful.
How interesting it would be to have boy/girl twins and to see how differently they are treated. I think it's also sad to see how much emphasis is placed on boys and their strength. It puts
I agree again. I think that sentiment contributes a lot the fact that men often have a harder time expressing their emotions because to do so might make them appear "weak". It's a fine line. Good for your friend being sensitive to some of the pitfalls with being extremely good looking. Not that I know from first hand experience or anything as nobody in my family fits that description but I know people have preconceived notions about good looking people just like they do with other groups. It always bugged me to hear negative comments about cheerleaders (for instance) as if being one means you fit certain personality stereo-type. In reality most cheerleaders I've ever met as a kid and as an adult have been really great kids/young women.
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I think it depends on how old they are, honestly. An adult child would have the confidence and the sense to know that it's not personal, but just a strange by-product of their parent's profession, much like a celebrity child. But if that child is 7 or 10, I think it would be cruel to make fun of them. I think it was horribly inappropriate for SNL to make fun of Chelsea Clinton when she was an awkward looking 13 year old. That crossed the line. But making fun of Jenna Bush for sneaking into a bar with the Secret Service? I think that's more appropriate because she was an adult making a decision that was laughed about. Do I think she deserved to be chastised for that decision? No. Most college students sneak into bars. But I don't think it was out of line to make fun of her for it.
Also, I think it depends on what they are saying. If they are just being critical of someone's looks, like Chelsea Clinton, it's unnecessary and cruel. If they are making fun of a decision made, like Jenna Bush, it's more appropriate.
How much privacy should the receive. >> How much privacy would you want your own child to receive. I think discretion and caution needs to be used. These children need to be protected from the wacko's out there.
Is it right to judge or critic their behavior based on their parent's title? Minors no - adult children yes.
What do you expect of them? I expect the Obama girls to be normal little girls - as much as that will be humanly possible
Should comedians make fun of them? >> I'm sure some will but I find that extremely tacky.
MikieMom
MikieMom
Gosh darn it--you almost had me there in 100% agreement.
I have to agree that anyone saying anything about the "looks" of a child is despicable. I don't know that I could have any respect for anyone finding humor in belittling an innocent kid over something so petty, irrelevant and beyond their control.
But I would extend the same courtesy to the other children as well unless their behavior was so over the top as to warrant the public spotlight. Picking on Jenna Bush for an activity that is so typical of the age just gives all the more less credibility to the press than they already have.
But if you're only referring to the after the fact light-hearted joking about her behavior--then maybe we do agree after all. That is an expected consequence of her action which she might have considered before committing the act.
I personally feel that ALL the children should be left alone and YES that included the Bush twins while they were still in College.
Wow! I think you're right!
Good-hearted ribbing I don't have a problem with--but it's a fine line. Chelsea Clinton by all accounts is a wonderful young woman and anyone who would say anything negative about her should be ashamed of themselves. But even if she were a spoiled brat there is no justification for negatively commenting on her looks. Frankly I don't even favor too many compliments with regards to looks.
Having boy/girl twins made me keenly aware of what a disservice society does to its girls/women. While some may view may opinion as strange (not the first time as you may be able to guess)........it really bothered me when people would fawn all over my baby daughter and they always remarked how "beautiful" she was or some such other remark about her looks. I thought, "My Gosh, we condition them from infancy that their looks are important". That didn't happen with my son. He received comments I suppose are more typical of all baby boys. Comments about what a big boy he was, or a strong boy, or a smart boy were more common although there were some about being a handsome boy. Of course people were only being nice and I know this but still--bugged me.
I always made it a point to comment on positive behaviors I noted in children out in public instead of on their looks. My mother did make a point to remind me that the options with infants are limited!
Holy cow, this is a miracle! Another post where we are in complete agreement! My friend has a 3 year old daughter who is classically beautiful. But instead of being overly confident in her looks, which I also think would do her a serious disservice, she is told constanly how smart and funny she is. I hope that continues because it will help her out so much more to feel smart and capable, instead of beautiful.
How interesting it would be to have boy/girl twins and to see how differently they are treated. I think it's also sad to see how much emphasis is placed on boys and their strength. It puts
I love this subject-it was a huge focus in my social psychology class.
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