For most people life is a succession of wins and losses. A plum job is advertised and many apply - but just one takes out the prize. We learn to manage the pain of disappointment and it is the " lucky " person who chalks up more wins than losses.
An event on national television has this nation split on whether public rejection causes irreparable damage to juvenile minds. Channel 9 runs a competition named " The Voice " that has contestants judged on their singing abilities. It consists of heats in which the winner goes on to higher competition - and the losers are eliminated. The majority of the contestants are adults, and the ultimate winner can look forward to fame and fortune in the entertainment world.
Recently a twelve year old girl astonished judges with the tone and clarity of her singing voice - and she went on to win that night's heat. She quickly gathered a following and many hoped she might emerge as the ultimate winner - and carve out a great singing career.
Alas. At a later heat another contestant won - and she was eliminated, and immediately she broke down into a flood of tears. Television personalities rushed to comfort her and her disappointment on national television brought a huge mix of reactions. Many were furious that this spectacle was allowed to go to air.
Some viewers are protesting that it is damaging to mix adult and juvenile contestants because young minds are not sufficiently developed to handle the pain of rejection. There is conjecture that this form of humiliation may permanently harm her developing personality - and even psychiatrists are weighing in with contrasting opinions.
Others take the view that to win in the hotly contested music world requires the skill and stamina to ride with the punches, and that this experience will prepare her for the world ahead - if she chooses to continue to pursue a singing career. Many others argue that the sight of a young girl in distress on television is harrowing for the wider audience - and want children banned from such shows.
This furore shows no sign of slowing down. Both sides of the argument are implacable in their stand and this must have the shows producers rubbing their hands with glee. The more the controversy rages, the more people who will be attracted to watch the show to join in the fray. That old maxim - that all publicity is good publicity - applies.
Perhaps many viewers have forgotten what every parent knows. Juvenile disappointments that end in tears are quickly over !
No comments:
Post a Comment