Jon & Kate Plus 8: At Least They're Genuine

One of the shows I watch is Jon & Kate Plus 8, which airs on TLC. I was impressed that despite the unusual aspect of having twins and sextuplets that Jon and Kate Gosselin seemed like an average couple and more importantly, relatable.

They were playful and teasing toward each other and their raw candor about their life was extraordinary. Jon and Kate Gosselin are so genuine that they allow a judgmental and, dare I say it, snobby public into their lives to dissect their parenting and personalities. The reason I say snobby is because the volume of comments devoted to them have been not only vicious and condemning, but elitist as well. That said, there have also been numerous supportive comments.

Kate Gosselin was quoted as saying, "People don't want to see perfect. We're not going to try and paint a picture that we aren't."

I commend them for that because when people see the illusion of the "perfect" family it makes them feel inferior and actually causes them to wish they had more, or better, which isn't fair to them.

Sometimes I have found myself cringing over something Kate Gosselin has said or done, but I cringe because I see facets of myself in her. You see, I have said and done similar things and there have been times when I have been mortified while watching myself on home video. I have been bossy, sharp and I've even been critical - all caught on tape, and you know what? I erased the footage because God forbid anyone else be privy to my nastiest.

It is easy for people, myself included, to sit back and pass judgment. Sometimes it makes us feel better to feel superior to someone else, and at other times we just disagree.

Various opinions are:

1. Kate is in phenomenal shape for having 8 children. How lucky for her that she received free plastic surgery!
Yes, she had a tummy tuck and some liposuction but anyone would need an abdominoplasty after carrying sextuplets. I applaud Kate Gosselin for even admitting to this and for showing humility in baring her abdomen prior to having surgery.

2. Their children appear to be happy.
If concern for the children is legitimate, and they really are happy, isn't that what truly matters?

3. Jon and Kate must have a strong marriage. How else could be put up with her?
They pick on each other at times, however playfully, but what couple doesn't? I actually find them well matched.

4. Kate comes across as snippy, controlling, hypocritical, high-strung, pampered, spoiled and unlikable.
On the contrary, I think she is pretty real and most of us, if we're honest, are hypocritical. I don't mind that Kate gets to enjoy some pampering. If people, companies and businesses are going to offer free vacations or services, who in their right mind would turn them down? I wouldn't.

5. Jon and Kate bicker.
From what I've witnessed, their behavior looks no different than most families who voice their disagreements with each other.

6. Kate seems obsessed with "making memories" and having "traditions."
Is that really a bad thing? Not everyone is going to go about it in the same manner so who is to say that one way is better than another?

7. Jon lets Kate walk all over him.
I think Jon asserts his opinions when he feels like doing so. In many relationships there is always one who is calmer than the other, which is why opposites so often complement each other. It's not that one partner is weaker than the other - it means that one tempers the other.

I understand that those in the public eye are considered by others to be "fair game." What I don't comprehend is that if someone is truly disgusted by a show or the behavior exhibited in a show, why don't they just turn the channel and be bothered no more? Why invest the time and emotion into feeding negativity by criticizing and dissecting another person?

I feel that it's a sad commentary on society when there appears to be far more ugliness demonstrated online than kindness. I guess one takes less effort than the other.

"To find a fault is easy; to do better may be difficult."
- Plutarch