Did anyone else think the parents were irresponsable to be having 6 children and trying for more and expecting the 2 eldest children to look after the other kids and also wanting them to look after them when they get older? or have Channel 4 done some good editing to make them look really bad?
2007-02-05 19:58:49 · 14 answers · asked by David B 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television
The programme was disturbing.
Yes, the case with the two blind parents was quite horrible. What struck us was that the mother seemed to have some sort of learning difficulty, and if so, why wasn't it mentioned at all? Maybe it was us seeing into something that wasn't there.
Anyway, the most telling bit of it was when the younger of the two sisters was changing her brother's nappy (who looked old enough to be able to go to the toilet himself and dress himself) that had tons of poo in it that hadn't been changed all the while the girls were at school, and all the other kids were screaming and it was obvious that the girls were hardly coping, and there was the dad pouring himself a glass of beer, gulping it down and smoking his cigarette and said "aaah.. perfect for such a hot day, eh?".
And when the parents were both outside and were asked if they think it's a big responsibility to be put on the kids to look after the younger ones, the mum said "oh it's good to have them help out when we're busy with other things".. and the dad said "well, they have to do things around the house to get the young carer status..."
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Just a thought - forget the failing social care system that should have intervened before things got as bad as it was shown last night, whatever happened to the 7 aunts/uncles on the mother's side and how many aunts/uncles on the father's side? Weren't they bothered that their 2 young nieces were charged with bringing up their 4 brothers in such squalid conditions?
2007-02-05 20:11:31 · answer #1 · answered by k² 6 · 8⤊ 0⤋
I thought that documentary was so sad.
Yes, ok, you could say that C4 edited it that way - and also that the interviewer was asking some very leading questions to the kids, ie "Do you feel pressurised? Do you wish you didn't have to do this? Does it worry you when your mum and dad say they're having more kids?"
But you can't deny that the whole thing was tragic, and those kids were suffering psychologically - the eldest was unable to show any emotion and was starting to look like she was ready to totally lose it.
The bits that shocked me most was when they were out in the back garden and the 12yr old was swinging her brother round by the arms, and they smacked the younger boy in the face with his feet - no-one reacted to the poor kid wailing his head off!! The Dad (who though he was blind, could hear what was happening) did nothing!!
Also - the poor baby sitting on the floor, and they were throwing bread on the floor for it like they were feeding the birds!
I think the parents are utterly irresponsible, and while I had every sympathy for the fact they were both blind - to continually have kids and expect the elder kids to look after them is unbelievably selfish.
How come social services are doing so little for that family?
2007-02-05 20:55:05 · answer #2 · answered by justasiam29 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The program title, had me very much interested in it. I myself was expected to help out with adultly chores within the house hold from age 12, but neither of my parents are handicapped or anything, they just wanted me involved, which is what I thought it was going to be about.
The family that was most exposed last night, have the wrong idea about seeting up a home and raising a family. Both parents were handicaped, both were also registered as blind. They had 6 children, and the two eldest grils are home carers. Neither parent was worried about any of the childrens up-bringing and almost thought of it as fun that the two eldest do almost everything. I was most shocked to see todlers and babies sleeping on the floor, one even had a empty larger can in his mouth at one point! The two girls, wash, fed, bathed and put all the younger ones to bed. The parents smoked withing the house and the farther drank freely too. The second eldest named Jenny (Louise was the eldest) had tried to commit suicide when she found it all too much, and Louise wasnt bothered by it, let alone the parents!
Social services have taken kids away at less circumstances then what these kids were going through, they should accpet help, as kids are kids, they shouldnt have to grow up so fast and quick. They should be nutured, loved, cherished, supported, encouraged and have a good schooling back ground. How I wish someone would step in to help them, the children need it so badly.
I remeber hearing the father saying 'We want to give the kids, what we didnt have ourselves' my reaction was, 'But your making life harder for them by expecting way too much of your children at this age'
My honest thoughts are that, that family are how we saw them ...... Quite saddening really
2007-02-05 20:44:33 · answer #3 · answered by Need_to_know 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Its either been some VERY good editing or the parents are extremely selfish.
Although the whole programme was shocking I thought the worst bit was that the younger children had to sit around in dirty nappies all day until their sisters came home from school. Where were the social workers??? Not to mention the state of the house!! 2 hours cleaning a week? I do more than that and I live in a flat with no kids!
2007-02-05 20:21:34 · answer #4 · answered by Catwhiskers 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
That was a disgrace, they didnt seem to care much either. The other mum cried at the thought of her son missing out. They just wanted more. The place was dirty, the baby was crawling under the bin, locked windows (what if there was a fire). Also so much for social services, sure the girls were 'young carers' but for example if you have to have qualifications to work with children in a school/pre-school how can social services justify giving resposibility to kids so young. Totally irresponsible on their part if you ask me. Grrrgh you can't edit that.
2007-02-05 22:26:12 · answer #5 · answered by truth_and_time_tells_all 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was totally shocked and disgusted. If they want to have kids then fine, but to have 6 already and the parents wanting to have eight just because 'my mum had eight kids' is totally irresponsible. And what the father said just infuriated me, he said something to the effect of 'Well if we have lots of kids, then when we're older and are incapacitated, then they can all look after us instead of just one or two kids looking after us'. If just seemed that they were only having kids so they could become carers as soon as they could walk!
And that poor girl Jenny attempting suicide at the age of 8. I'm surprised nothing major has happened since then to ensure the walfare of the two main carers.
It was just truly tragic, and though I hate to admit it, I get the feeling at least three of their kids will grow up with emotional consequences as a result of the poor care given by their so-called parents.
2007-02-05 22:58:45 · answer #6 · answered by angel_of_thought 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I didnt think that the blind parents were cruel i think they were incredibly misguided, i actually found it really hard to watch especially when the house was so dirty and when they were cleaning the nappies they were putting on new nappies and there was still pooh all over the baby, i just found this really upsetting but a child of 13 does not have a high level of house clean statndard. I think they should have got more help as it was cruel on the kids.
I just think it was really upsetting more than anything especially when the 8 year old had tried to kill herself, no one that age should try to kill herself. also the parents seemed to not really talk to their kids about the problems the family had.
Really really misgudied parents
2007-02-05 22:45:24 · answer #7 · answered by hopper13 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, me and my family watched it the whole way through with our mouths agast. We were appaled at the way that the parents just expected to children to deal with their brothers and sisters. The way in which the children managed was amazing, not only looking after their brother and sisters but their parents too. I dont believe that C4 have edited it badly to make it look worse than it is because everything that was shown must of been said.
2007-02-05 20:12:51 · answer #8 · answered by Ellie 1 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I also watched and,to be truthful i found it very hectic seeing such little ones being exploited in this way. the youngsters are really out of nappies and the mum and father are parading all of them over us of a as even with the actuality that they were superstars which in my personal opinion isn't merely infant abuse yet,overlook for the welfare of the infant and,the youngsters should be removed from the mum and father now. The coach did not element out the funds that the mum and father have become for all this publicity both. this manner of kid exploitation should be banned in the type of "modern"and,defensive society alongside with the united statesalso,the powers that be contained in the states might want to look extra into this because it truly is incorrect,very incorrect.
2016-11-02 11:18:57 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes i watched it my husband could not.
I was shocked to say the least,cannot belive that they are going to carry on having children and pushing the responsibility on to the older children.
The children were so filthy..sleeping on the dirty floor..having to wait all day to have there nappies changed when the older kids get back from school,it was surprising they didn't have a rash all over.
The young girl was making a sandwhich for her siblings but her hands were filthy.
I don't know my heart does go out to people with disabilities but they showed us people who i guess would have lived like that even if they hadn't????
They seemed to manage smoking and drinking beer fine????
2007-02-06 03:01:04 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋