The Glitz and The Glam. But is it all really for family?

Since the premiere of Jon & Kate plus 8, the American public has been fascinated by this reality television series. Chronicling the lives of parents Jon & Kate and their eight children, this program offers a look into the anything but typical day in the life of a large middle class family. With twin girls and sextuplets, the life of the Gosselin family is a heartwarming story Americans have come to love.

Yet, over the past few seasons we have witnessed the stress life can have with raising 8 children. From all the bickering and bantering between Jon & Kate, to the recent reports of infidelity, and the investigation into the violation of child labor laws, this heartwarming story of a large and loving family has spiraled into a heartbreaking one.

With the demise of this family, one wonders why Jon and Kate didn't stop the production of this television show? Although this show offers this family opportunities they wouldn't have received otherwise, it really has destroyed them. The fame this family has received over the success of this show has torn this family apart. Every move made by the family as well as Jon & Kate individually has been monitored under a closely watched microscope. How can you lead a life so closely watched? How healthy is it to raise children under the watchful eye of the press? As we know, the media is not anyone's friend. They will turn any slight slip up into a major headline. That is their job. The fact that these parents allowed for their family to be subjected to this is absolutely mind blowing.

Interview after interview, Kate states that the reason why they do this show is for their children. How else would they be able to afford to raise eight children? The decision to do this show was simply a financial decision, or was it? Since the premiere of this reality series, Kate has launched two books and has appeared on numerous high profile talk shows. She is even in talks of getting her own talk show. One has to wonder then, is she promoting the show? Or is she promoting herself?

The answer to that question may be unknown, however the glitz and the glam that has come with being "Jon & Kate plus 8" has torn this loving family apart while giving the limelight to a woman who despite going through a very public separation, has loved every minute of the spotlight given to her. Although TLC has renamed the show to "Kate plus 8," the reasonable and logical move to the show would be to cancel the series in order to preserve what is left of this family.