With the reports of Jon and Kate Plus 8 and their potential demise coming fast and furious, I wasn't surprised to find a poll over at Extra's Website about whether or not the Gosselins should just call it quits.
Not surprised, but a little digusted.
Sure, it's just an informal poll. But it seems to fall dangerously close to laying bets. Laying bets on the fate of eight kids.
It's true that Jon and Kate Gosselin have brought this type of frenzy upon themselves. They signed up to do a national TV show. They invited cameras into their living room. They let us see their kids struggle with potty training and sibling rivalry. We're going to speculate. We're going to write about it (I know I have), and we're going to talk about it. As a willing participant in that frenzy, I can't criticize the rest of the group for doing it.
And I wouldn't - they've put themselves in the public domain (hence all that talk about how they are fame whores exploiting their kids!).
This poll, however, asks "Are the Gosselins headed for divorce?" with the choices:
A. Yes, it's better for them to break up
OR
B. No, they will stay together for the kids.
Perhaps it's no different than any other piece that's appeared on the internet. I haven't seen them all; and I'd wager Extra isn't the first to bust out something of this sort. But this isn't talk about what is actually going on in their marriage or even weighing in on WHY we do or do not like Jon and Kate Plus 8.
I just can't get past the ick factor of actually laying wagers (albeit with no financial gain) on someone's marriage. I'd have the same problem with a poll on Brad and Angelina. Or Michelle and Barack. This is not some misguided loyalty toward the Gosselins. There are times where I'd even say it IS better for a couple to get divorced, despite the presence of children.
But where I can criticize the Gosselins for being famewhores, for what's seen on TV, even what's reported by sponsors of Kate at speaking engagements, I wouldn't tell my best friend to divorce her husband. I can't well see telling the parents of eight kids who I've never met to do it. Or laying bets on it.
What do you think Babble readers? Would you feel icky taking that kind of poll? If not - go for it.
Image: Extra
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