Comment after watching My Super Sweet 16 on MTV

[bluestateguy]

I had the chance to watch a few episodes of this show last week, and I was really disturbed. The premise of the show is a the preparation and party for a 16 year old's (usually a girl's) birthday party. Every time I have watched it, the profile was on a very wealthy family's preparation of their daughter's "Sweet 16" party.

The expensive clothes, performers, facilities, staff and other accoutrements for these parties is just way over the top. The level of indulgence that these parents convey on their kids is rather appalling, especially in these times (although the show started a few years before the economy really crashed). I suppose that is parents right, but must they shove it in everyone's face, and put it on television? Seems rather narcissistic to me, and I would be willing to bet that a good many of these girls grow up to be real high maintenance women.

[jakefrep]

1. It's the glorification of parents with more money than sense.

I knew people in high school that certainly could have afforded to throw a lavish 16th birthday party. But they didn't. And if they got their kid a car, you can bet there were some strings attached. I'd like to believe that MTV left any footage of these discussions on the cutting room floor.

I was somewhat heartened when some of the recipients of these parties were later sent away to Timbuktu (with MTV cameras in tow) because their parents finally realized how spoiled the kids were.

[Initech]

2. How can anyone watch that show and not want to go into a violent rage?

[vadawg]

3. i figure that no matter what you do there will always be someone who will bitch you out

so you may as well enjoy what wealth you have and not worry about it. im sure the kid with no shoes hates the kid with shoes as much as some people are going to hate the people on this show.

[armyowalgreens]

4. I don't hate them. But I do think they are pathetic.

[Joe the Liberal]

5. Yea I can't stand that show either.....

It is garbage tv through and through.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

6. There is something else that happens

when these shows are aired and watched. Many people will strive to emulate or at least admire that lifestyle. How else could it be that the wealthy have so many defenders? Don't mis-understand, if I had that much money the things I did with it would puzzle people too.
I've read that a reason Hollywood put out so many movies about rich people in the 30's was to take the average persons mind off their own situation. People watch those things and begin to think what it would be like if they were rich. The problem is, to be rich means others have to be poor. Now I'm not inviting a discussion of human motivation, hard work and ambition. I'm just saying, everyone CAN'T be rich. If that were the case then no one would be rich. So people watch these shows and think about themselves being either the daughter, or the parent who could do this for their daughter, ignoring the fact 3/4 of the world doesn't have enough to eat........... :shrug: