The Kids Lack of Respect toward the Parents

[RickyDiamond]

]After watching tonight two shows I've come to the conclusion that none of the kids respect their parents. On the show about soccer, Jeremy talked back to Matt like he was a piece of garbage. Sorry but if that was my son talking to me, he'd be picking his teeth up off the floor. Your kids don't respect you nor Amy as proof of when she told Molly and Jacob to not eat around the computer and they totally ignored her like she didn't matter.
You and your family are on national television, you brought the world into your home for us to see how you live and what we see is a family with a lot of problems whose kids are being bought off with cars and trips to anywhere just so they will LIKE their parents. What we see is not a pretty picture and some of us are turned off by the lack of respect that your children show their parents. Also, I really don't think that remolding your house is going to change the way your children take care of it and their things. My guess is we the audience will continue to see clothes and trash scattered around on the floor and the cat still llicking the butter dish, yech!

[aok351]

]After watching tonight two shows I've come to the conclusion that none of the kids respect their parents. On the show about soccer, Jeremy talked back to Matt like he was a piece of garbage. Sorry but if that was my son talking to me, he'd be picking his teeth up off the floor. Your kids don't respect you nor Amy as proof of when she told Molly and Jacob to not eat around the computer and they totally ignored her like she didn't matter.
You and your family are on national television, you brought the world into your home for us to see how you live and what we see is a family with a lot of problems whose kids are being bought off with cars and trips to anywhere just so they will LIKE their parents. What we see is not a pretty picture and some of us are turned off by the lack of respect that your children show their parents. Also, I really don't think that remolding your house is going to change the way your children take care of it and their things. My guess is we the audience will continue to see clothes and trash scattered around on the floor and the cat still llicking the butter dish, yech!
I know! it's almost as if they're a real family or something! I respect your opinion, but thats how it is in alot of homes. They have some faults. They also have love.

[jgirly]

Crazy, ain't it?

[jeanne230]

RickyDiamond I have a suggestion if it bothers you so "why watch?" We love them because they are a real family --warts and all. I honestly feel that the camera has been there so long that they are almost oblivious to it.

[aok351]

I can't even imagine living in such close quarters with my kids at that age. And there are only two of them. The authorities would have to be called in for an intervention!!!:lol:

[DisruptiveSpirit]

LOL I about wet myself over that comment.

I know! it's almost as if they're a real family or something! I respect your opinion, but thats how it is in alot of homes. They have some faults. They also have love.

[gap134]

..Sorry but if that was my son talking to me, he'd be picking his teeth up off the floor...

...and you'd be in jail for child abuse.

[gilbert cortez]

:woot::woot::woot:]After watching tonight two shows I've come to the conclusion that none of the kids respect their parents. On the show about soccer, Jeremy talked back to Matt like he was a piece of garbage. Sorry but if that was my son talking to me, he'd be picking his teeth up off the floor. Your kids don't respect you nor Amy as proof of when she told Molly and Jacob to not eat around the computer and they totally ignored her like she didn't matter.
You and your family are on national television, you brought the world into your home for us to see how you live and what we see is a family with a lot of problems whose kids are being bought off with cars and trips to anywhere just so they will LIKE their parents. What we see is not a pretty picture and some of us are turned off by the lack of respect that your children show their parents. Also, I really don't think that remolding your house is going to change the way your children take care of it and their things. My guess is we the audience will continue to see clothes and trash scattered around on the floor and the cat still llicking the butter dish, yech!

[Mrs.Sawyer]

some of us are turned off

Turned off? Then turn it off! http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f156/chelys1987/1874iasbyponna.gif

[cclngthr]

...and you'd be in jail for child abuse.

My parents would not put up with that kind of behavior. If I acted like Jeremy or Jacob, I'd be sent to the barn.

When we had dinner, we sat at the table, everybody. TV was off.

[gap134]

My parents would not put up with that kind of behavior. If I acted like Jeremy or Jacob, I'd be sent to the barn.

When we had dinner, we sat at the table, everybody. TV was off.

The response was to knocking your kids teeth out by physical force.

[Mrs.Sawyer]

My parents would not put up with that kind of behavior. If I acted like Jeremy or Jacob, I'd be sent to the barn.

When we had dinner, we sat at the table, everybody. TV was off.

Utter laziness and blatant disrespect !



http://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/uploaded_images/Mean%20Teacher.jpg

[tonewinwy]

Big Deal the kids talk back to their parents. So do a lot of other kids in America. Growing up my sisters and I always talked back to our parents (youngest sister is only eight-teen) we always got away with it. We're a family and well sometimes we get mad and say some colorful words among other things.

The Roloffs are a family who chooses to share their family with the World and sometimes the bad stuff along with the good go on the Show.

[DisruptiveSpirit]

I agree. At least they aren't hiding those things and trying to play it off like they are perfect. No. Instead they put it all out there. The good and the bad.

[Momma of 2]

When I was growing up and if I ever talked back to my Parents I got a whipping. I guess I was brought up "Old School" as some would say. Things are different now a days and I think that is what is wrong with some kids these days.

[Sheri_T]

I love the Roloffs and love the show. That being said...I have to also say that I was shocked at how rude the kids came across on these last shows. I was mostly shocked at Molly. I had to keep reminding myself that I was watching edited footage and that things may have not been as they were coming across to me.
It is killing me to see Mike, knowing that he is gone. :-(

[olicat45]

Me too Momma.I got the belt for bad behavior.I went to school when it was ok for the teachers to spank.I dont beleive in hitting or spankings it is abuse I know I lived thru it.Knocking your kids teeth out is what I call abuse and would put u in jail if u did.

[Momma of 2]

Me too Momma.I got the belt for bad behavior.I went to school when it was ok for the teachers to spank.I dont beleive in hitting or spankings it is abuse I know I lived thru it.Knocking your kids teeth out is what I call abuse and would put u in jail if u did.



I got the belt too Oli. I also got plenty of Willow Switches. I don't know which hurt worse? LOL. I went to School when it was okay if a teacher spanked you as well. I survived as well. I agree knocking your kids teeth out is abuse as well. But nothing wrong with a good Butt whipping. Hubby gives our girls one if they need it which is very rare anymore.

[Sheri_T]

I think the knocking their teeth out comment was probably just a figure of speech.

[Momma of 2]

More than likely it was Sheri. I know there has been a few times when I had to get on our girls, I told them if they didn't mind me I would knock their Teeth down their throat. LOL. It was just a figure of speech. I do the Grounding Punishment around here since they are older. I love our girls dearly and would never physically abuse them in anyway, but they are going to learn to mind me and RESPECT me like I was taught.

[Sheri_T]

My hubby used to tell the boys he would knock them into next week. LOL

[Momma of 2]

My hubby used to tell the boys he would knock them into next week. LOL




I've said that to the girls before as well. LOL. Alot of sayings here in the South that could be taken the wrong way by some.

[Sheri_T]

I agree momma. We have a different way of expressing ourselves down here. LOL

[bobbybear]

This is not a bashing comment about the house, the kids, about people on this site, etc. The following comments are coming from a person who has and still is raising a family, taken care of parents, taught teenagers at the college level for 30 years, and have enjoyed watching the show over the years.

I don't care about the family remodeling their home, if their travels are paid for or not, and whether or not people on this site attack anything that is remotely negatively stated about the Roloff's. Actually, I find it interesting how people relate to this family, defending them to the end.

My concern has to do with the long term result on their children's psychology. Camera's alter behavior and the self concept development. The children are not playing a role, but are portraying themselves for all to see. How this spotlight would not affect appropriate development is beyond me. The long term ramifications are unknown and the parents of all of these reality shows are taking a true gamble. Reality show children have not made an adult decision to go on national tv, their parents have made the decision. For the rest of their lives and wherever they go, people will always associate the things they said and did to the adult in front of them. The reputation is set, the dye is cast, and that self-fulfilling prophecy will affect them, in one way or another.

I would just ask the adults in the Roloff family to 1. assume that the rationalization to go on the show was just that, rationalization and 2. to truly see yourself as a subjective player and not capable of seeing this situation objectively. A professional in the field of family counseling might be helpful.

Please I would ask people on here to just consider that it might be in the Roloff''s best interest to contemplate terminating the show. I as with many used to watch the show and I still catch it from time to time. However, I find myself watching it less and less, as it is less about little people and issues regarding their lives, and more about teenagers acting out, disobeying the law, defensiveness, and overall negative family situations.

I probably will not check this posting for a while, but I hope it generates an interesting discussion, and not just the usual "Just stop watching if you don't like the show." That argument is easy to say, and just stops further discussion, which is the intent. Please discuss!

[Momma of 2]

That is so true Sheri. I've always thought I would want to live some place else, but you know what, there is no place like HOME HERE IN THE SOUTH.

[Mrs.Sawyer]

Please discuss!

No thanks, that's not why I am here. You may find more interest at TLC. You may feel better knowing that this is proberly the last season. You win!

[cclngthr]

Big Deal the kids talk back to their parents. So do a lot of other kids in America. Growing up my sisters and I always talked back to our parents (youngest sister is only eight-teen) we always got away with it. We're a family and well sometimes we get mad and say some colorful words among other things.

The Roloffs are a family who chooses to share their family with the World and sometimes the bad stuff along with the good go on the Show.

I probably would have been backhanded..
When I was growing up and if I ever talked back to my Parents I got a whipping. I guess I was brought up "Old School" as some would say. Things are different now a days and I think that is what is wrong with some kids these days.
I was raised OLD SCHOOL where parents ruled the house and were not afraid to discipline.
My hubby used to tell the boys he would knock them into next week. LOL
My dad said the same thing.
This is not a bashing comment about the house, the kids, about people on this site, etc. The following comments are coming from a person who has and still is raising a family, taken care of parents, taught teenagers at the college level for 30 years, and have enjoyed watching the show over the years.

I don't care about the family remodeling their home, if their travels are paid for or not, and whether or not people on this site attack anything that is remotely negatively stated about the Roloff's. Actually, I find it interesting how people relate to this family, defending them to the end.

My concern has to do with the long term result on their children's psychology. Camera's alter behavior and the self concept development. The children are not playing a role, but are portraying themselves for all to see. How this spotlight would not affect appropriate development is beyond me. The long term ramifications are unknown and the parents of all of these reality shows are taking a true gamble. Reality show children have not made an adult decision to go on national tv, their parents have made the decision. For the rest of their lives and wherever they go, people will always associate the things they said and did to the adult in front of them. The reputation is set, the dye is cast, and that self-fulfilling prophecy will affect them, in one way or another.

I would just ask the adults in the Roloff family to 1. assume that the rationalization to go on the show was just that, rationalization and 2. to truly see yourself as a subjective player and not capable of seeing this situation objectively. A professional in the field of family counseling might be helpful.

Please I would ask people on here to just consider that it might be in the Roloff''s best interest to contemplate terminating the show. I as with many used to watch the show and I still catch it from time to time. However, I find myself watching it less and less, as it is less about little people and issues regarding their lives, and more about teenagers acting out, disobeying the law, defensiveness, and overall negative family situations.

I probably will not check this posting for a while, but I hope it generates an interesting discussion, and not just the usual "Just stop watching if you don't like the show." That argument is easy to say, and just stops further discussion, which is the intent. Please discuss!

The reality is, kids, in general are not disciplined as much now as they once were. While my parents were much older (actually, they were old enough to be my grandparents), they were not afraid of discipline and house rules. This changed in the late 60's to mid 70's where psychologists and Dr. Spock viewed that kids had too much discipline and thought that kids should have more sayso in their lives. This created fear among parents who were so afraid to discipline because they felt that their kids would be taken away from them. Kids soon learned that they could overpower parents to get their way. This pattern has expanded to the issues we see today. I saw it regularly in the classroom, and had little support in getting those who are disruptive out of the classroom.

[DisruptiveSpirit]

I agree.

The reality is, kids, in general are not disciplined as much now as they once were. While my parents were much older (actually, they were old enough to be my grandparents), they were not afraid of discipline and house rules. This changed in the late 60's to mid 70's where psychologists and Dr. Spock viewed that kids had too much discipline and thought that kids should have more sayso in their lives. This created fear among parents who were so afraid to discipline because they felt that their kids would be taken away from them. Kids soon learned that they could overpower parents to get their way. This pattern has expanded to the issues we see today. I saw it regularly in the classroom, and had little support in getting those who are disruptive out of the classroom.

[olicat45]

I tell my kids I brought u into this world and i can take you out,,,,i guess that could be taken wrong as well.They just laugh when i say it.

[gap134]

I probably would have been backhanded..

I was raised OLD SCHOOL where parents ruled the house and were not afraid to discipline.

My dad said the same thing.


The reality is, kids, in general are not disciplined as much now as they once were. While my parents were much older (actually, they were old enough to be my grandparents), they were not afraid of discipline and house rules. This changed in the late 60's to mid 70's where psychologists and Dr. Spock viewed that kids had too much discipline and thought that kids should have more sayso in their lives. This created fear among parents who were so afraid to discipline because they felt that their kids would be taken away from them. Kids soon learned that they could overpower parents to get their way. This pattern has expanded to the issues we see today. I saw it regularly in the classroom, and had little support in getting those who are disruptive out of the classroom.

I think you need to watch SuperNanny. There is no need for physical force to discipline your kids.

[DisruptiveSpirit]

If you, and others like you, stuck around longer than to do a driveby post and run, you'd see that we do NOT agree 100% with everything they do/say/etc. If you all stuck around and read the threads pertaining to certain shows you'd see that many of us do comment on how wrong Zach was for ruining the lawn, for the kids talking back, not wearing seatbelts, fighting, etc.

As for the long term affects, I don't see that being an issue. Especially if they haven't been acting or portraying something they're not. Instead they just live and be who they are. As they are. Being on TV, I doubt has changed them into something they are not. So, if some people don't like who they are now, then they probably wouldn't have even if they weren't on TV. Lets face it, you can't like everyone. There's always some you click with and others you don't. If you don't like them then you don't like them. Not being on TV wouldn't have changed that.

And so what if people associate them with stuff they've said and done when they were younger (growing up). No one is perfect. And if the complainers are gonna come down hard on someone just because they talked back to their parents when they were teens, or kept their rooms filthy, then that's really sad and trivial. Are to we told everyone to the things they did as a child/teen? That's wrong IMO.



.........and whether or not people on this site attack anything that is remotely negatively stated about the Roloff's. Actually, I find it interesting how people relate to this family, defending them to the end.

My concern has to do with the long term result on their children's psychology. ...............For the rest of their lives and wherever they go, people will always associate the things they said and did to the adult in front of them. The reputation is set, the dye is cast, and that self-fulfilling prophecy will affect them, in one way or another.



Ummmm, as long as Matt and Amy, LITTLE PEOPLE, have to deal with said issues, then the show is STILL about issues that LP face.

.........as it is less about little people and issues regarding their lives, and more about teenagers acting out, disobeying the law, defensiveness, and overall negative family situations.

[LPBWfan08]

I probably would have been backhanded..

I was raised OLD SCHOOL where parents ruled the house and were not afraid to discipline.

My dad said the same thing.


The reality is, kids, in general are not disciplined as much now as they once were. While my parents were much older (actually, they were old enough to be my grandparents), they were not afraid of discipline and house rules. This changed in the late 60's to mid 70's where psychologists and Dr. Spock viewed that kids had too much discipline and thought that kids should have more sayso in their lives. This created fear among parents who were so afraid to discipline because they felt that their kids would be taken away from them. Kids soon learned that they could overpower parents to get their way. This pattern has expanded to the issues we see today. I saw it regularly in the classroom, and had little support in getting those who are disruptive out of the classroom.

Clobber the kids early, and they will remember it later.
Just kidding.

[shortnsweet]

Hi , I am a new member and you all don't know me, but I had a thought about this subject, and was wanting to share it with you all. It is based on my own experience. I just think that when a wife is not able to show respect to her husband, that it sets a powerful example for the kids to see, and they will naturally follow this example.

The kids see how Amy is always correcting Matt, overriding him, and this total lack of respect is being picked up on by the kids. It is in their own selfish interests to play into this lack of respect towards Matt, cuz they will get their own way more likely.

It is sad but true, that kids do divide the parents if the parents will let them. I don't mean to be judgmental toward the kids-I think it is natural and easy for them to be this way. To be more respectful toward their parents, they would have to see respect between Matt and Amy.

and if Matt and Amy could discuss their differences out of hearing and sight of the kids, and come up with a united stand on issues and decisions, the kids would benefit.

They all would be happier, and you wouldn't see Matt making those funny faces when he is trying to explain to her why she shouldn't yell and complain about the referees at certain soccer matches. If they would discuss this in private, I am sure that he would have a greater chance of getting through to Amy. She probably knows the camera is there, and it is hard to be humble when everyone is watching.

I only bring this up, because I am 57 years old, and I look back at my family life, and the mistakes that I made with my three children, in not showing my husband respect in front of all to see, and I did not discuss differences in private with my husband, but I wish I had now. When my kids were in their later teens, they started showing me great disrespect, and I am in a large part responsible for that, I feel. And I even had really good reasons why I didn't respect my husband, perhaps Amy feels like she has excellent reasons too. However, I wish she could see that setting a bad example for the kids, and both she and Matt are getting disrespect back from the kids.

I can see this from the wife's viewpoint, because I am a wife. I am not saying that the kid's disrespect is all Amy's fault. But I think they are following her example of disrespect.

[Mrs.Sawyer]

They all would be happier, and you wouldn't see Matt making those funny faces when he is trying to explain to her why she shouldn't yell and complain about the referees at certain soccer matches. If they would discuss this in private, I am sure that he would have a greater chance of getting through to Amy. She probably knows the camera is there, and it is hard to be humble when everyone is watching.


Proberly, but then we wouldn't have a compelling show. ;)

It's nice to have opinions, but please don't get too upset, it's how they roll and we love them all the more for their idiosyncrasies. Who among us does not come from dysfunction? Yet we are all OK.

[gap134]

... Who among us does not come from dysfunction? ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-qk4FMTkKo :teehee:

[shortnsweet]

Proberly, but then we wouldn't have a compelling show. ;)

It's nice to have opinions, but please don't get too upset, it's how they roll and we love them all the more for their idiosyncrasies. Who among us does not come from dysfunction? Yet we are all OK.

I am sorry I sounded upset I hammered on the point too much I guess! I appreciate your serenity.

[aok351]

Who among us does not come from dysfunction? Yet we are all OK.
:lol:Where do I start?? I think I'm limited by how much I can put in a post!!:lol:
But those are the things that make people interesting!!:thumb:

[mountaingal]

Didn't Amy say one time that she did most of the Child Rearing because Matt was not home a lot because of the job he had when the kids were younger?

[cclngthr]

Didn't Amy say one time that she did most of the Child Rearing because Matt was not home a lot because of the job he had when the kids were younger?

That is true, however Matt did say in the most recent Q&A that he and Amy want the kids to express themselves a little, but the show tends to overdramatize the violence more.

2. Why do you let the kids speak, and treat you and Amy disrespectfully? When they do how come you never punish them? And why is Zach allowed to hit on Jacob?
Matt's Answer:

We try and allow the kids to have their own expressions. Having said that, if the kids do tend to get out of hand we do correct and punish them if necassary. But the show does sometimes like to play up on the precieved disrespectfulness in order to create drama.

This is where I think the show has gone downhill more than it could have. It also begs the question of why shows want violence or portray violence more than "normal" behavior. It seems as society is becoming more violent, and it is possible that TV has contributed to the problem due to the overuse of violence to create a drama scene.

[aok351]

I used to fight with my brother all the time as a kid. And that was around 40 years ago. Maybe I was watching too many Roadrunner/Coyote cartoons!
I think the Roloff kids are perfectly normal. Also the editing plays it up i'm sure. The producers want people talking about it. And it's working!!:mrgreen:

[DisruptiveSpirit]

So true! If there's one thing that bothers Matt it's the way that people talk about how bad the kids are.

He said that couldn't be further from the truth. He's always saying how well behaved they are, how hard working, respectful, etc. they are. He said Jeremy will often come in at night from being out with his friends and just sit and hang out and talk to Matt. He says yes, they do have their bad days, but it's definitely not as much or as bad as the show makes it seem. They are proud of their kids and I think they should be.

Just like Amy said on the last show, the kids aren't perfect but compared to what they could be dealing with, they have it made. And I agree. Molly's not pregnant, none of them are on drugs or alcohol, they do good in school, they work hard on the farm, and so much more. I'd say they are pretty damn good kids. Talking back periodically and keeping a messy room does not make them bad.

I used to fight with my brother all the time as a kid. And that was around 40 years ago. Maybe I was watching too many Roadrunner/Coyote cartoons!
I think the Roloff kids are perfectly normal. Also the editing plays it up i'm sure. The producers want people talking about it. And it's working!!:mrgreen:

[cclngthr]

So true! If there's one thing that bothers Matt it's the way that people talk about how bad the kids are.

He said that couldn't be further from the truth. He's always saying how well behaved they are, how hard working, respectful, etc. they are. He said Jeremy will often come in at night from being out with his friends and just sit and hang out and talk to Matt. He says yes, they do have their bad days, but it's definitely not as much or as bad as the show makes it seem. They are proud of their kids and I think they should be.

Just like Amy said on the last show, the kids aren't perfect but compared to what they could be dealing with, they have it made. And I agree. Molly's not pregnant, none of them are on drugs or alcohol, they do good in school, they work hard on the farm, and so much more. I'd say they are pretty damn good kids. Talking back periodically and keeping a messy room does not make them bad.

I agree with Matt on that issue of the kid sensitivity he would like to change (he had mentioned it somewhere; I think you posted about it earlier) with the shows producers. I do think there is more violence now and I think that can be changed (slowly).

The kids I work with tend to want someone who is willing to talk with them.

[Caliope]

I think Shortnsweet has a point.

Don't get me wrong, I am one of Amy's biggest fans and can totally relate to her more than a lot because I have a husband just like Matt who's mind is always going a million miles an hour and always looking at his next project while he is still getting the last three up and going! He was also away working a lot of the time when our kids were younger and I was the main parent to mete out discipline and it was always me the kids came to when they wanted something and would then try it on dad if I said no...or if they knew I was going to say no then they would try their dad first!

Suddenly as the kids were in their teens we started our own business and not only was their dad home more, we worked from home so he was here 24/7! All of a sudden he was making decisions and doing the discipline and we all had a hard time accepting it.

I made the mistake of pulling him up on decisions he made with the kids and the kids picked up on it right away. Luckily for us we realised what was happening and addressed it before too much damage had been done but it took a while for the kids to see us as a united front.

In Matt and Amy's case they have the added stress of having cameras watching as this all plays out and the kids know they can get away with a lot more but the down side is that the public can judge harshly and negative feedback is the result, something kids do not cope well with.

All in all they are an amazing family and like DS and others have pointed out, the kids are all in school, they all show an amazing family unit on tv and that is hard to fake and if a few harsh words is all anyone can think to whinge about then they deserve a medal.

[Sheri_T]

Amen to that sister girl! ;-)

That is so true Sheri. I've always thought I would want to live some place else, but you know what, there is no place like HOME HERE IN THE SOUTH.

[TrevorT]

Molly's not pregnant, none of them are on drugs or alcohol, they do good in school, they work hard on the farm, and so much more. I'd say they are pretty damn good kids. Talking back periodically and keeping a messy room does not make them bad.


Disruptive Spirit, I like the show, but I don't believe all we see or what we are supposed to believe. I hope you won't get mad, but I disagree with something you said.

I've seen many people say what you did, for example, that the kids don't drink alcohol and they aren't out getting drunk.

I have trouble believing that particularly in Jeremy's case.

Jeremy is an out-going, popular 18 year old, that Matt has said on several occasions stays out late at night and they sometimes don't really know what he's doing. Matt even said this week that he doesn't completely trust Jeremy to be where he says he is.

Do you honestly believe that at 18 years old, Jeremy has never drank alcohol, never been drunk? I simply find that very hard to believe. It is easier to accept that Zach maybe hasn't because he has a very different personality than Jeremy. I've known kids in high school like Zach and they really didn't drink because it wasn't in their personality. I've known kids like Jeremy and they did.

In today's day and age, I think it would make Jeremy very unusual if he never has at least occasionally gotten drunk. That's the flaw I see when some people talk about the Roloffs. When the kids do something wrong, like Jeremy using offensive words, people will say he is just a normal teenager doing things that all kids do. But when it comes to teen drinking, something very common for teens today, suddenly we are supposed to believe that Jeremy is not like most teens and would never get drunk.

I disagree with you when you say because we don't see or hear about the kids ever being drunk that none of that happens really. If we pretend that tonight, Jeremy comes home to Roloff farm, drunk. Completely wasted. Do you honestly believe that the show, which is family-friendly and portrayed as a show with strong Christian values, would film Jeremy drunk? Even if they did keep the cameras rolling, do you honestly believe that Matt and Amy, as producers, would give the OK to use that and include it in a future show? I simply cannot believe that and think that is very unrealistic.

If Matt thinks people are hard on the kids now, imagine what it would be like if an episode actually include one of the kids drunk?

When people say "the kids don't drink alcohol, Jeremy isn't out getting drunk" because we don't see that on the show, I think that is very flawed because I don't think it is realistic that they would ever include that on the show if it did or does happen.

That doesn't mean I think any or all kids that have occassionally gotten drunk are horrible people and the worst kids ever, but your statement about the kids not drinking is something I see a lot and disagree with.

[cclngthr]

Disruptive Spirit, I like the show, but I don't believe all we see or what we are supposed to believe. I hope you won't get mad, but I disagree with something you said.

I've seen many people say what you did, for example, that the kids don't drink alcohol and they aren't out getting drunk.

I have trouble believing that particularly in Jeremy's case.

Jeremy is an out-going, popular 18 year old, that Matt has said on several occasions stays out late at night and they sometimes don't really know what he's doing. Matt even said this week that he doesn't completely trust Jeremy to be where he says he is.

Do you honestly believe that at 18 years old, Jeremy has never drank alcohol, never been drunk? I simply find that very hard to believe. It is easier to accept that Zach maybe hasn't because he has a very different personality than Jeremy. I've known kids in high school like Zach and they really didn't drink because it wasn't in their personality. I've known kids like Jeremy and they did.

In today's day and age, I think it would make Jeremy very unusual if he never has at least occasionally gotten drunk. That's the flaw I see when some people talk about the Roloffs. When the kids do something wrong, like Jeremy using offensive words, people will say he is just a normal teenager doing things that all kids do. But when it comes to teen drinking, something very common for teens today, suddenly we are supposed to believe that Jeremy is not like most teens and would never get drunk.

I disagree with you when you say because we don't see or hear about the kids ever being drunk that none of that happens really. If we pretend that tonight, Jeremy comes home to Roloff farm, drunk. Completely wasted. Do you honestly believe that the show, which is family-friendly and portrayed as a show with strong Christian values, would film Jeremy drunk? Even if they did keep the cameras rolling, do you honestly believe that Matt and Amy, as producers, would give the OK to use that and include it in a future show? I simply cannot believe that and think that is very unrealistic.

If Matt thinks people are hard on the kids now, imagine what it would be like if an episode actually include one of the kids drunk?

When people say "the kids don't drink alcohol, Jeremy isn't out getting drunk" because we don't see that on the show, I think that is very flawed because I don't think it is realistic that they would ever include that on the show if it did or does happen.

That doesn't mean I think any or all kids that have occassionally gotten drunk are horrible people and the worst kids ever, but your statement about the kids not drinking is something I see a lot and disagree with.

While I'm quoting the whole post, I do agee with TrevorT on a few issues, particularly what he says about Jeremy's behavior and Matt's concern where he is at night. Matt has the right to know what Jeremy is doing even though Jer is 18 now and also to expect Jeremy to come home at a reasonable hour at night.

I also work with kids and those I do see who behave similarly as what we see in Jeremy do things that Trevor mentions. However this depends on the individual, the risks presented by the behaviors we see in Jeremy has a much higher rate than people who behave similarly to Zach.

Overall, teenage drinking and the rate of it startling and very high. Surveys from the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that 80.7% of teenagers have had at least 1 drink in their lifetime. They also claim that juniors and seniors are more likely to consume alcohol than younger kids. To me, that number presents a high risk and closer examination should be done to possibly lower that risk.

I see this issue in 2 different environments; school and owning a repair shop that we repair cars that have been driven by teens who are intoxicated. Although the latter has a low number, I still see it.

We also have to consider when we evaluate this issue is how the parents react to alcohol. IF the parents do drink excessively, the kids also have a higher risk of it.

[gap134]

Trevor and cclngthr I don't know where you are going with this, but I don't like what I am seeing in the least bit. Neither of you are qualified to make the analysis and allegations you are making.

[Mrs.Sawyer]

Trevor and cclngthr I don't know where you are going with this, but I don't like what I am seeing in the least bit. Neither of you are qualified to make the analysis and allegations you are making.

I concur, move it to TLC where it will be savored :roll:

[cclngthr]

I concur, move it to TLC where it will be savored :roll:

So you want behaviors to be ignored; or face reality?

There are a LOT of pressures on kids now. Drinking is just one of them; and with that percentage being very high, 80%, that should be something to consider. Having DS state the kids don't drink; to some people, kids not facing that pressure to engage in that behavior sometime in their teen age years is unusual. It would be MORE unusual for people not to consider it when they are on TV. Being on TV or in any kind of medium like the Roloff's are only adds to that already mounting stress a celebrity faces.

I bet both Zach and Jeremy have faced that issue.

This is not an accusation, but a realist viewpoint.

[gap134]

So you want behaviors to be ignored; or face reality?

There are a LOT of pressures on kids now. Drinking is just one of them; and with that percentage being very high, 80%, that should be something to consider. Having DS state the kids don't drink; to some people, kids not facing that pressure to engage in that behavior sometime in their teen age years is unusual. It would be MORE unusual for people not to consider it when they are on TV. Being on TV or in any kind of medium like the Roloff's are only adds to that already mounting stress a celebrity faces.

I bet both Zach and Jeremy have faced that issue.

This is not an accusation, but a realist viewpoint.

cclngthr,

This is a Roloff fan site

You constantly exploit the negative side of things. You have put Jeremy & Zach into a damned if they do and damned if they don't situation. That is not what this site is about and that's reality.

Au revoir!

[DisruptiveSpirit]

Why would I get mad because you disagree? I wouldn't.

Anyway, I go on what I hear from others that know the kids personally. That see them day and night regularly. Not just Matt, but others they deal with them regularly.

That's not to say that they have never tried alcohol. I cannot say that as a fact. Matt probably can't either. But, what Matt has said is that often when the boys come in late at night they sit and hang out with him and they talk for hours. Would you risk that if you were a teen coming in after you've just been drinking? I know I wouldn't. I'd probably run to my room and hide before they smelled the alcohol on me. :teehee:

When I say things like "none of them are on drugs or alcohol" I mean at least they aren't drug addicts or alcoholics and in bad situations they could have easily avoided getting themselves into. I do not mean, "Well at least they've never tried it." That's not what I'm saying. Trying things like that does not make a bad person IMO. But, they could easily be like many kids today with really bad drug and alcohol addictions and they clearly are not. That's what I'm saying. That is also what I think Amy means when she says things like "The kids aren't perfect but at least I'm not dealing with something worse."

And, when I say "At least Molly isn't pregnant." I mean it. And, I have had family members who have gotten pregnant as teens and it was not an easy thing for any of the family. Especially for the girls themselves. Yeah I know it happens but it is not the ideal situation to be in. That's not to say that those who find themselves in that situation are bad, but again, it certainly is NOT the ideal situation to be in at such a young age.

Anyway, you say that if the kids were like this we certainly wouldn't see it on the show. That may be the case. However, do you honestly think that someone wouldn't jump at the chance to tell us how much of a drinker Jeremy is if he was? Or that Zach is out stealing cars if he does? Or that the twins rob people/stores, get high, etc.? Do you really think that we wouldn't have heard about this by now if any of it were true? I would think that if the kids were really into any real bad behavior, we would have heard about it by now.

But that's JMO.

Disruptive Spirit, I like the show, but I don't believe all we see or what we are supposed to believe. I hope you won't get mad, but I disagree with something you said.

I've seen many people say what you did, for example, that the kids don't drink alcohol and they aren't out getting drunk.

I have trouble believing that particularly in Jeremy's case.

Jeremy is an out-going, popular 18 year old, that Matt has said on several occasions stays out late at night and they sometimes don't really know what he's doing. Matt even said this week that he doesn't completely trust Jeremy to be where he says he is.

Do you honestly believe that at 18 years old, Jeremy has never drank alcohol, never been drunk? I simply find that very hard to believe. It is easier to accept that Zach maybe hasn't because he has a very different personality than Jeremy. I've known kids in high school like Zach and they really didn't drink because it wasn't in their personality. I've known kids like Jeremy and they did.

In today's day and age, I think it would make Jeremy very unusual if he never has at least occasionally gotten drunk. That's the flaw I see when some people talk about the Roloffs. When the kids do something wrong, like Jeremy using offensive words, people will say he is just a normal teenager doing things that all kids do. But when it comes to teen drinking, something very common for teens today, suddenly we are supposed to believe that Jeremy is not like most teens and would never get drunk.

I disagree with you when you say because we don't see or hear about the kids ever being drunk that none of that happens really. If we pretend that tonight, Jeremy comes home to Roloff farm, drunk. Completely wasted. Do you honestly believe that the show, which is family-friendly and portrayed as a show with strong Christian values, would film Jeremy drunk? Even if they did keep the cameras rolling, do you honestly believe that Matt and Amy, as producers, would give the OK to use that and include it in a future show? I simply cannot believe that and think that is very unrealistic.

If Matt thinks people are hard on the kids now, imagine what it would be like if an episode actually include one of the kids drunk?

When people say "the kids don't drink alcohol, Jeremy isn't out getting drunk" because we don't see that on the show, I think that is very flawed because I don't think it is realistic that they would ever include that on the show if it did or does happen.

That doesn't mean I think any or all kids that have occassionally gotten drunk are horrible people and the worst kids ever, but your statement about the kids not drinking is something I see a lot and disagree with.

[kiltred]

SO why keep watching the show? I think they are a pretty typical family? And, if what they do or say offend you.....turn the channel, instead of complaining about how other people choose to live their lives on here....

[Mrs.Sawyer]

So you want behaviors to be ignored; or face reality?

There are a LOT of pressures on kids now. Drinking is just one of them; and with that percentage being very high, 80%, that should be something to consider. Having DS state the kids don't drink; to some people, kids not facing that pressure to engage in that behavior sometime in their teen age years is unusual. It would be MORE unusual for people not to consider it when they are on TV. Being on TV or in any kind of medium like the Roloff's are only adds to that already mounting stress a celebrity faces.

I bet both Zach and Jeremy have faced that issue.

This is not an accusation, but a realist viewpoint.

It's http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/Stand/stir.gif

[cclngthr]

Anyway, I go on what I hear from others that know the kids personally. That see them day and night regularly. Not just Matt, but others they deal with them regularly.

That's not to say that they have never tried alcohol. I cannot say that as a fact. Matt probably can't either. But, what Matt has said is that often when the boys come in late at night they sit and hang out with him and they talk for hours. Would you risk that if you were a teen coming in after you've just been drinking? I know I wouldn't. I'd probably run to my room and hide before they smelled the alcohol on me.

Maybe you should be more clear in your statements. I am thinking Trevor is around, or works with kids and knows what is going on. That, or he could be in law enforcement and has the statistics of young people who do engage in that behavior. He disagreed with you for a legit reason. I agreed with him based on my knowledge of not only working with kids in a variety of situations, but knowledge on the subject due to extensive training (due to my work) on the subject. Like what he said, I have seen my share of things that the average kid does that does fall into the risky category. I have seen an average teenager who admits to be sexually active; and had a entire class that admitted they were one year (class comprised of 6th through 12th grades). I also have seen personally kids, who were deemed good, to drink alcohol. Had a few students who admitted that their parents allowed them to drink alcohol at certain occasions.

These things do go on in society, and sometimes in rural areas, things do happen more often that you realize. A lot of it is also hidden; especially in wealthier areas. The last 3 years I have worked in a school that the average income is over $100,000. The biggest issue we saw was pot and alcohol use. Parents there were unaware it was happening in their own homes because kids hid it so well and they had disposable money. This was different than what I saw when I worked at a high school in an area where the average income was 1/2 of what was at the school I've worked at for the last 3 years.

[jgirly]

Maybe you should be more clear in your statements. I am thinking Trevor is around, or works with kids and knows what is going on. That, or he could be in law enforcement and has the statistics of young people who do engage in that behavior. He disagreed with you for a legit reason. I agreed with him based on my knowledge of not only working with kids in a variety of situations, but knowledge on the subject due to extensive training (due to my work) on the subject. Like what he said, I have seen my share of things that the average kid does that does fall into the risky category. I have seen an average teenager who admits to be sexually active; and had a entire class that admitted they were one year (class comprised of 6th through 12th grades). I also have seen personally kids, who were deemed good, to drink alcohol. Had a few students who admitted that their parents allowed them to drink alcohol at certain occasions.

These things do go on in society, and sometimes in rural areas, things do happen more often that you realize. A lot of it is also hidden; especially in wealthier areas. The last 3 years I have worked in a school that the average income is over $100,000. The biggest issue wesaw was pot and alcohol use. Parents there were unaware it was happening in their own homes because kids hid it so well and they had disposable money. This was different than what I saw when I worked at a high school in an area where the average income was 1/2 of what was at the school I've worked at for the last 3 years.

WE GET IT! A lot of kids do these things. We don't know if the Roloff kids have ever delved into the alcohol, sex, drugs, and we admit that. But they're habitually doing anything to the point that some kids are. And, this is a show that has to cater to a certain audience and therefore the producers have to keep a certain rating (popularity and age-reccommendations). The show is edited accordingly. It's not an after-school special on issues kids (I hate the word "teen." It sounds like it comes from a middle school sex-ed video) face. And I hope it never becomes one. There are plenty of those in society.

[DisruptiveSpirit]

I think I've made myself crystal clear more than enough times. Let's please MOVE ON to something else. This same ole, same ole is getting boring.

Maybe you should be more clear in your statements. I am thinking Trevor is around, or works with kids and knows what is going on. That, or he could be in law enforcement and has the statistics of young people who do engage in that behavior. He disagreed with you for a legit reason. I agreed with him based on my knowledge of not only working with kids in a variety of situations, but knowledge on the subject due to extensive training (due to my work) on the subject. Like what he said, I have seen my share of things that the average kid does that does fall into the risky category. I have seen an average teenager who admits to be sexually active; and had a entire class that admitted they were one year (class comprised of 6th through 12th grades). I also have seen personally kids, who were deemed good, to drink alcohol. Had a few students who admitted that their parents allowed them to drink alcohol at certain occasions.

These things do go on in society, and sometimes in rural areas, things do happen more often that you realize. A lot of it is also hidden; especially in wealthier areas. The last 3 years I have worked in a school that the average income is over $100,000. The biggest issue we saw was pot and alcohol use. Parents there were unaware it was happening in their own homes because kids hid it so well and they had disposable money. This was different than what I saw when I worked at a high school in an area where the average income was 1/2 of what was at the school I've worked at for the last 3 years.

[Jacobsbigbrother]

Can we play nice here, guys? I think that sometimes the kids disrespect M & A, but, many kids do it, and, the camera crew wants to make that clear. I just know that they are not perfect at all. You remember what Amy said one day. She said that "her kids are not perfect. And, that my kids make mistakes." So, I think we can go with that statement. No one is perfect, and, that's what makes them different.

[jeanne230]

I have seen the Roloff kids 2 times in person and both times I didn't see any form of attitude with the kids. When I talked to them they were very friendly and polite.Yes, they could have been faking it but somehow I think I would have seen it! The Roloff kids are good kids and Amy and Matt have every right to be very proud of them!

[aok351]

I have seen the Roloff kids 2 times in person and both times I didn't see any form of attitude with the kids. When I talked to them they were very friendly and polite.Yes, they could have been faking it but somehow I think I would have seen it! The Roloff kids are good kids and Amy and Matt have every right to be very proud of them!
:thumb::thumb::thumb:Great post Jeanne!!!

[Momma of 2]

They are not even my kids and I'm proud of all of them. I know Amy and Matt are as well. Kids are going to be kids no matter what we say or do. It's just part of life and growing up. They either do or don't learn from their mistakes.

[TrevorT]

When I say things like "none of them are on drugs or alcohol" I mean at least they aren't drug addicts or alcoholics and in bad situations they could have easily avoided getting themselves into. I do not mean, "Well at least they've never tried it." That's not what I'm saying. Trying things like that does not make a bad person IMO. But, they could easily be like many kids today with really bad drug and alcohol addictions and they clearly are not.

Disruptive Spirit, thank you for clarifying your position.

I agree, I don't think Jeremy or Zach are alcoholics or drug addicts. However, I don't think "most teens" are alcoholics or drug addicts. I think there are a small group of kids with those problems. There are also some teens that really have never tasted a drop of alcohol and have never taken one puff of anything. I think "most teens" fall into that in between area.

I think "most 17 or 18 year old teens" occasionally go to parties where there is alcohol, take part and get drunk.

I have read things from people that have a more black and white view than you do. They make it clear they believe the Roloff kids are completely innocent about these behaviors. I see people that say it is so nice that the Roloff kids and their friends build forts and spend camping trips eating birthday cake and playing on train tracks instead of doing those bad things that most teens would be doing. I think if anybody were to poll their local high school junior and seniors and ask them what kinds of activies go on if a group 5 or 6 teenage guys spend a weekend camping alone in the woods, most would say there would be some unwholesome things going on.

Personally, I find the opinion that the Roloff kids and their friends are somehow immune to these temptations simply because they aren't featured or discussed on the show to be very unrealistic especially when we know that the twins (especially Jeremy because of his personality) act like "most teens" in many other ways.

But, what Matt has said is that often when the boys come in late at night they sit and hang out with him and they talk for hours. Would you risk that if you were a teen coming in after you've just been drinking? I know I wouldn't. I'd probably run to my room and hide before they smelled the alcohol on me. :teehee:

I think Jeremy is a pretty sly guy and I'm sure he would know better than to walk through the door drunk knowing Matt would be waiting up for him. All kids have opportunities to do some of those things sometimes. I also think Matt is a very sharp guy that knows his kids and I've seen Matt express concern that Jeremy stays out late and he suspects that Jeremy isn't always upfront with him about what he's up to.

However, do you honestly think that someone wouldn't jump at the chance to tell us how much of a drinker Jeremy is if he was? Or that Zach is out stealing cars if he does? Or that the twins rob people/stores, get high, etc.? Do you really think that we wouldn't have heard about this by now if any of it were true?

I think if someone did, they would be called liars and have obscenities hurled at them for claiming such a thing. I think we all know that there have been things out there that cast some doubt on the wholesomeness of Jeremy and some of his friends on the show, particularly with the issue of teen drinking. Again, I don't think they are alcoholics. My personal opinion is that they are like most kids even though that side of them isn't shown or discussed on the show. And lets give the kids some credit here, they aren't stupid. They wouldn't break out the vodka with a camera man in tow.

I sometimes think that if the twins and their friends ever read some of the things fans of the show say about them (being wholesome) they would laugh about what suckers we all are. But that's just my personal opinion.

[gap134]

Trevor you keep dwelling on teen drinking. Are you in some type of alcohol rehab program?

[Mrs.Sawyer]

Trevor you keep dwelling on teen drinking. Are you in some type alcohol rehab program?

Do you know the kids personally Trevor? Classmate? Neighbor? How old are you?

[scagjockey]

Let's not gang up on Trevor. I think his posts are very articulate and REAL. I don't think he's is trying to bash the Roloff kids, he's just expanding on the topic of teen behavior. :wink:

[Mrs.Sawyer]

Let's not gang up on Trevor. I think his posts are very articulate and REAL. I don't think he's is trying to bash the Roloff kids, he's just expanding on the topic of teen behavior. :wink:

If you read between the lines, it says IMDB all over it ;)

[DisruptiveSpirit]

I have read things from people that have a more black and white view than you do. They make it clear they believe the Roloff kids are completely innocent about these behaviors.

But them assuming they are completely inncocent is no different then you assuming they aren't. And just because most or many kids may try some alcohol does not mean that there aren't still kids out there who haven't even touched one drop. Those kids DO exist and who are we to say that Jeremy and Zach can't be one of those kids?

I think Jeremy is a pretty sly guy and I'm sure he would know better than to walk through the door drunk knowing Matt would be waiting up for him. All kids have opportunities to do some of those things sometimes. I also think Matt is a very sharp guy that knows his kids and I've seen Matt express concern that Jeremy stays out late and he suspects that Jeremy isn't always upfront with him about what he's up to.

Yeah a lot of kids do have the chance to do those things. I know I did but I certainly did NOT sit and have a chat with my parents afterwards. And trust me, I knew how to be slick and sneaky but NEVER would I sit and talk with my parents afterwards. One sip of beer and my parents would have smelled it. I think most parents would.

Also, about the late thing, we don't know exactly what "late" means in this situation. When I was on the phone with Matt he was telling Jeremy he had to be in at 10pm. (I also heard him say this time on the show too) That's hardly late IMO. But to Matt it may be. Is this the time Jeremy normally comes in? Is this considered "late?" We just don't know.

Of course the show makes it like the boys coming in late is some sort of ongoing problem when in reality it may have happened once or twice. We already know that they (TLC) know what gets people talking and watching and they play up on that.


I think if someone did, they would be called liars and have obscenities hurled at them for claiming such a thing.

Kinda like the haters do to other people who choose to believe that they are good kids?

I think we all know that there have been things out there that cast some doubt on the wholesomeness of Jeremy and some of his friends on the show, particularly with the issue of teen drinking. Again, I don't think they are alcoholics.

Funny, I NEVER heard that being an issue until you came here and started talking about it.

I sometimes think that if the twins and their friends ever read some of the things fans of the show say about them (being wholesome) they would laugh about what suckers we all are. But that's just my personal opinion.

Well, nothing they could do or say would shock me. Why? Because I do, and always have, looked at them as NORMAL kids! And normal kids talk back at times, get angry, sneak a drink, drive fast every once in a while, etc.

Maybe that's why the haters are shocked when some of these things happen? Because they think that just because they are on TV they are supposed to be some perfect robots for our entertainment. Well they're not. They are normal every day people who aren't perfect and make mistakes.

[TrevorT]

Let's not gang up on Trevor. I think his posts are very articulate and REAL. I don't think he's is trying to bash the Roloff kids, he's just expanding on the topic of teen behavior. :wink:

Scag, thank you. I've said my piece on the issue. I won't keep on about it. I can feel the temperature starting to rise and that's not my intention so I will bow out.

[Jacobsbigbrother]

Maybe on ocassion the kids have disrespected Matt, and, Amy, but, they don't do it all the time. Thanks, and, that's all I have to say about that.

[jgirly]

I don't think the Roloff kids are any more innocent than any others, but I think they're decent enough kids.

But I have to ask where all this drinking stuff is coming from? At least the people who call Jeremy (&co) racist, lazy and disrespectful have something besides generalized statistics to go on. I'm not saying they've never touched alcohol, I just don't get where this fixation is coming from.I think that's what everyone's trying to figure out in this thread, Trevor. If we're going to talk about teen drinking, we could pick any kid in the world and stick them in this subject and be just as accurate.Why the Roloffs?

[olicat45]

Thats all she wrote when the pencil broke

[cclngthr]

Trevor you keep dwelling on teen drinking. Are you in some type of alcohol rehab program?

He could work with kids in that situation. For me, I have taught in a juvenile detention center as well as a school designed for kids with severe behavior problems as well as in a general public school in a variety of grades. When I taught in the detention center, nearly all of the kids were withdrawing from drugs and alcohol (they still do that according to a friend of mine who works at the center). The biggest thing for the kids I worked with at PAC (the school for SBD kids) was abuse/neglect. I've also had to deal with kids who walked in my classroom at a high school drunk enough to cause a problem more than once.

Keep in mind that when you are in a celebrity status as the Roloff's are, their behavior will be under the microscope and scrutinized. This can cause younger celebrities to do things other kids would not do. With this in mind, the rate of drug/alcohol use among young celebrities (actors/etc) is very high. It is not easy for them.

[DisruptiveSpirit]

If you all want to keep talking drugs and alcohol about TEENS in GENERAL, then please take it to the "Talk Amongst Yourselves" section. It doesn't belong here. Nor do we have a right to speculate that the Roloff kids are using such things.

With that being said, this thread is now closed since people can't seem to move on.