Reality Tv : Entertaining but what about the children? Whats that all about?

Ok..... Reality TV! What is this all about? When reality TV was first introduced to us I honestly thought it wasn't a bad idea. I figured this was the perfect opportunity for the world to view the successful lives of ordinary people that live in a "not so famous" world. This is a chance for regular everyday people to get the kind of recognition they deserve for saving lives, or teaching our children, or taking care of the elderly etc.... Apparently this was NOT the same plan that reality TV promoters had in mind for these particular shows. No instead now we get to view the even less talented bikini bodied twenty-something year old while they eat bugs or sift through a pool of animal feces, get blubbering drunk and fall all over each other, and my personal favorite the 20 - 45 year old bachelor/bachelorettes who find love in 6 weeks while teaching youth of America the way to find a partner is to date 20 people at a time and when you're done with them hand them a rose and tell them to hit the road. These shows are built around the concept that if you aren't talented enough to make it in Hollywood you can always stoop really low and subject yourself to reality show after reality show and "oh yeah, by the way" if you act like the "biggest loser" in the bunch and/or portray yourself as a buffoon, then you too may be offered your very own show built around what a complete moron you are. NOW THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF!!! Really!! Now I admit I do have a weakness for the Housewives on "Bravo" and maybe even a few of the talent search shows. In my mind these people are just an inch away from being in Hollywood anyway so I do get the attraction. These shows actually do follow the lives of interesting people. Others however are barely interesting and some are borderline degrading and X Rated.  Although some reality TV is quite a huge disappointment the reality shows that bother me the most are the ones that exploit children. What are these parents thinking???? Are these people so hungry for money and fame that they are willing to subject their children to countless hours in make-up, hair and having to spend their childhoods in front of cameras with all of America watching. Do these children even get a choice in the matter? Some parents say yes! I'm sorry I just cannot believe that a child would agree to have every tantrum, every first blemish, every sickness, outing, vacation, girlfriend or boyfriend and every moment of everyday plastered all over the TV set for all of their friends, neighbors and classmates to see. Not even to mention the rest of America and parts of the world. HMMMMM I'm thinking this was not exactly what these children had in mind when mom and dad said " Hey, honey you want to be on TV?" True we had to have something to fill in air time when writers of "real" shows were on strike, however please tell me that this was not the best idea these writers came up with. Once networks settled and agreed on terms isn't it at all possible that they could have picked their brains for something slightly more stimulating then this? Really if you are spending ANY of your free time absorbing this nonsense I seriously believe it is time that you find a new hobby.