The Glare of the Spotlight Blocks Out Too Much

Someone once said that putting children on television or in movies is glorified child abuse. I tend to agree. Adults have a hard time dealing with the kind of adulation and scrutiny that comes with such exposure. What makes us think children can handle it any better?

When my twin sons were babies, their uncle worked as an editor at a national tv shopping network. A producer walked by his desk and noticed their pictures. The producer suggested that photographs of my children could be used in the background to sell all kinds of products for babies.

"Just pictures," the producer said. "No pressure. It could pay their way through college."

Isn't that their parents' job? We politely declined. Perhaps it was an overreaction, but I didn't want to take any chances. Who needs a male version of Mary-Kate and Ashley in the family? We've been through enough.

I have the same reaction when I see children on television for spelling bee contests and little league games. My heart breaks for them and the pressure they are under. Why do parents allow it? Why do they let their kids expose everything on myspace and other websites? And now both ESPN and Sports Illustrated are covering high school football games. Why?

Does anyone remember how challenging childhood can be? I talk to adults all the time who are thankful no one had digital cameras and the Internet when they were kids. I'm also glad no one was televising school functions in 1987. I'd never live it down.

People say that high school games are real and raw, devoid of the posturing that professional sports brings.

That's because the spotlight is elsewhere. Once these kids start dealing with national attention and scrutiny, that innocence will be gone. When the cameras arrive, the fun disappears. There's enough time for sponsors and commercialism and unnecessary pressure and fan clubs later in life. Let the children have a youth free from such grown-up pressures.

If you want to support the young athletes in your town, turn off the television and head out to a game. Our kids deserve a few more years without the glare.