Famously Bad Parenting
Sun, 2002-12-22 07:00 - Kerry
12 celebrities who may be victims—or perpetrators—of questionable child-raising techniques.
By Kristopher Kaiyala & Matthew Cooke
Contrary to what you may have heard, celebrities are, in fact, just like you and me. They walk, talk, eat, sleep—all the usual stuff. And just like us, they don't always do the greatest job raising their kids.
Recently, it was revealed that 16-year-old Jamie-Lynn Spears—sister of Britney—is currently pregnant, and while she has some things going for her that most too-young mothers don't (like a reported $1 million from OK Magazine for the rights to report the story), it's still not exactly the ideal age to start a family.
Factor in Britney's well-documented erratic behavior, which has reportedly resulted in several visits from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services in regard to her own two kids, and one has to ask: What sort of environment did the Spears sisters grow up in? We don't know the answer—and now that mother Lynne's book on Christian parenting has been delayed indefinitely by publisher Thomas Nelson, it may take a while to find out.
Still, one must realize the Spears family represents just the latest in a long line of questionable celebrity parenting. And while non-celebrities are just as capable of dubious child-raising techniques, it would seem that the skewed fishbowl reality of stardom exacerbates the situation considerably, resulting in the potential for a truly disturbing kith-and-kin debacle.
As proof, we present this list of 12 notably troubled celebrity clans. Just remember as you read that they, like most troubled parents, are often victims of a sort. After all, when it comes to parenting, the tendency is to repeat the mistakes of our own upbringing, and often the cycle is only broken through understanding, forgiveness and the ability to laugh at ourselves.
In other words: Feel free to scorn, but try to leave some room for pity as well.
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For a list of other celebrity cast-of-characters, review the comments found here: http://boards.msn.com/MensLifestyleboards/thread.aspx?threadid=504114
Count how many adopted their victims. Mia Farrow (with Woody Allen) and Joan Crawford, just to name two. 
Comments
Money's influence on me
I don't scorn people who have money or fame, I do have a huge issue with those who think money can buy them special favors and excuses.
There are some things money can't buy. Money can't buy forgiveness for a weak character. Money can't buy a person's heart. Money can only buy things, and things can get lost or ruined. There are only a few things in this world I really want or need. Most of those things are not at all expensive. The most luxurious item I own is a computer.
My a.mother would get mad because I wouldn't be grateful or appreciative of the things they bought me. I didn't need things, I needed a mom who was there for me, and didn't leave me all the time.
My parents can have their money, and their things, but they can't have me.
Affording "new possibilities"
Does anyone see the irony how adoption itself, as it has now become, is no longer about providing an abandoned child a loving home to grow and thrive, but instead a mentality that relies on the belief that "more money " means a better outcome. One has to question who benefits the most when a desperate parent is seeking workable options in terms of raising his/her own child.
How often is a child removed from a poor mother or father, simply because money is available elsewhere? Money buys health-care, sure, but does it... can it... buy better, more loving, parenting?