To find it disturbing that people enjoy watching TV shows about sick children?

[JoyofSpring]

Flicking through the channels on the box and I see there is a double bill tonight of "Children's Emergency" which seems to be a programme about horrible things happening to children. In real life. It's not the only programme like this out there.

Now I can kind of see why people watch medical programmes like "sex sent me to the ER" and I can see why people would watch something that is raising awareness of a particular illness (like how to spot the symptoms). But why on earth would anyone choose to watch a programme like this that just shows children and their families going through the most awful medical emergencies. It doesn't benefit them. It doesn't help anyone else. I can barely even read the programme synopsis.

So, AIBU? If not, please enlighten me why these programmes are attractive!

what good terminology!

I like watching GOSH, or children's ward, I don't think it's voyuristic or ghoulish, that is insulting to the brave children who are fighting their illness. We coukd learn a lot about them. They also have educational value as well.

I couldn't agree with you more. And it's a gross invasion of those children's privacy, when they've not consented to it.

I spent a lot of time in hospital when I was a child (pre-Internet!)and I'd be devastated if footage existed of my being so poorly, vulnerable and upset.

I find it disturbing - but clearly there's a big audience for it
Comparing it to the news is ridiculous.

Sorry, to clarify, I couldn't agree more with OP

I think there's loads of things on like this when you think about it. Variations on the theme. Real Life Emergency stuff.

Off the top of my head there's Air ambulance rescue and Emergency down under and that caught on camera emergency, or whatever it is on mobile phones and cctv ect at lunch time. Then One Born Every Min and all the real life hospital ones in the evenings, plus the police/traffic ones.

I don't watch any of them. The older i get and the more shit i've been through personally the less i want to watch other people going though it.

YANBU.

I had to take 3 year old DC into hospital for a blood test recently. Upon entering the ward I was met with the ward sister and a film crew. All smiles. The nurse asked me id mind being filmed and I just automatically said 'no that's fine' as you do sometimes
Went to sit and wait and thought 'wtf!??' They came over with consent forms and I told them I'd felt a bit blindsided by it and that I absolutely did not want to be filmed.
The producer and presenter looked liked I'd just cancelled Christmas. Their hurt puppy dog expressions were ridiculous.
I actually found myself apologising to them.
Ridiculous, isn't it??

I do like 24 hours in A&E because I'm into medical things - but they're consenting adults. I FF the children bits.

Exactly, Thomas. It's not real consent when you're in a stressful situation and feel blindsided. And I think people, naturally enough, want to stay on the right side of the hospital and will feel pressured if they think it's what the hospital wants.

Well done you for saying no.

I can't even watch it when it's fictional. I stopped watching Coronation Street when they started with the dying baby storyline. I work around the corner from a Children's Hospital and sometimes see very poorly children out and about or in the park and have had to hide in the loo a bit teary for them and their poor parents. I just don't understand how people can watch it for pleasure.

Thank you. I'm a pretty strong character but it wasn't easy. In a hospital setting you automatically just agree.

At least in 24 Hours they do all the after-filming, so you know they've had time to reflect on it.
I like the emergency ones as I'm applying to be a paramedic so obviously it's very insightful for that, but the children ones - no thanks!

whatthe

it is 'feeling porn' for those seeking an emotional rush because their real lives feel safe and cushioned from such raw suffering.

There's a bit of that too.

I had to hide the Dunblane thread.

I watch them, I find them fascinating. Firstly all the medical stuff interests me; how medical science can diagnose and treat various illnesses, how a person involved in a serious accident can be saved and fixed (for want of a better word) and it gives me a better understanding of how hospitals work behind the scenes. My dd1 has been in and out of hospital for the last 4 years, in fact was rushed to A&E just last month. All knowledge is helpful.

Secondly, the people. I'm interested in people, how they deal with stuff. The unexpected humour in the bleakest of times, the strength of spirit when things look bad.

I'm a children's nurse so love medical programmes. I thought the GOSH programme was great, very honest and showed all the difficult decisions they have to make. I love 24 hours in A&E and think it's a brilliant way of showing what the team really do, what they have to deal with and how they come to terms with it themselves.

YABU. If the programme is done properly it can be educational and awareness raising. The families taking part will do so because they feel that is important. They show how wonderful human beings can be in the truly worst of circumstances.

I love anything medical. I work in a hospital so see a lot of things, I find them educational (depending on the show).

I have never watched the one about sick children but that's only because I haven't come across it.

I'm not sure why that is disturbing. I also love watching autopsies.

I think emotional wank sums it up for me - it is 'feeling porn' for those seeking an emotional rush because their real lives feel safe and cushioned from such raw suffering.

Bollocks. My life does not feel safe from raw suffering at all.

Thanks for all the responses. It's really interesting to hear why some people do watch them - particularly those of you who work in a hospital or have had children in hospital yourselves.

Perhaps it's true that they can be educational to a degree but I doubt that is why most people watch them. I suspect it's more because it's so emotional. A bit like when people can't look away from a car crash.

I guess for me it's just too distressing to contemplate let alone watch. I just keep imagining one of my DC in that situation and it's beyond heart breaking!

Oh and agree with what pp have said about emergency situations and film crews taking advantage.