The Exploitation and Pimping of Child Stars

We've seen the aftermath of childhood stardom gone bad. There's the Different Strokes trio that ended up with two deaths, and one life of missed potential. The world is still reeling from Micheal Jackson's tragic life and ending. Then there's Lindsay Lohan whose personal implosion is current in the news. So with the fact that childhood stars can be in for a world of hurt as adults, what are parents of today's child stars doing to protect their children?

Terry McMillian, writer, and Image Award nominee, recently put the Smith Family Dynasty on shout out. "The Smith children already act like child stars. There's an arrogance in their demeanor and behavior. I find it incredibly sad." "It feels like the Smith children are being pimped and exploited. Or, they're already hungry for fame. What about 4th grade?" "A lot of A-list movie stars shielded their children from the Hollywood-world until they were old enough to decide. Look at those who didn't." "Look at Lindsay. Phoenix. To name but a few. They miss out on childhood. It's more important than fame." These are just a few of her tweets on the subject, according to PerezHilton.com.These tweets are currently nowhere to be found.

As a fan of Will Smith and Jada Smith, and even little Willow and Jaden, and also as the eternal optimist, I don't think these kids are headed for disaster. They are surely learning that stardom has it's ups and downs. Their parents are surely teaching them to handle their money, so they won't be without later. They are learning to diversify and to have different avenues of income and creativity. Plus, mom and dad have the money and pull to produce their kids in projects through their awkward phases which is where many child stars fall off. I doubt there will be a problem with the Smith kids crashing and burning.

But there are still many child stars whose kids do not have rich and famous parents. There are child stars who are the sole breadwinner for the entire family. There are child stars under serious pressure at home and on the movie set. There are child stars being exploited for money and being corrupted by fame.

If you look at the child stars who made it into adulthood safely and well adjusted, you will see a pattern. Look at the lives of Soleil Moon Frye, Keshia Knight Pullman, Danica McKellar, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Tatiana Ali, Elijah Wood, and Jaleel White you will find that their stardom didn't deprive them of a normal childhood. Education was emphasized and their parents didn't make them the cash cow. They went to schools when they could, and many have graduated from college and have marketable skills. They understand that fame is fleeting and so do not gamble with their lives.

So while not all child stars are exploited and pimped, some are parented poorly, that leads to exploitation. It is important for people to realize that child stardom in not the problem, but the raising of the child that is the issue.