I am not voting this November so I really shouldn't be all riled up about this issue that involves the daughter of Republican VP Nominee SarahPalin (SP). The VP Nominee's 17 year old daughter is pregnant and unmarried. Nothing wrong with that, its her life, its her choice. But I do have an issue with it being almost front and center during this week. I think, its a personal, family matter. Something that shouldn't be paraded not because its something to hide but I have this sinking feeling that her daughter's delicate condition is being used by her, her party and just about everyone else. I am hoping that people will just let her be. I don't think it was also a good idea to include the father of the baby that shes carrying to be front and center as well. He should have been at the announcement, days ago and not now. He is visible now because his identity was known even if SP only referred to him as the "young man and my daughter are getting married". If those were not made to the world, he would still be anonymous. Sure, its going to come out eventually but does it have to be announced a few days after she was picked? and Was it necessary for her, the mother to make that announcement? Sure, its beating the news but then it becomes what everyone else is talking about. What happened to you being the candidate? And especially if you as a politician opposes to teach other than abstinence in schools and finding your own daughter not heeding that advice. Just a lot of inconsistencies. "Sell" your platform not what happens in your family. All these just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I think and feel her daughter should have been spared from all these media scrutiny and talk. She as her mother should have been the very first person to shield her from such. But I think she was the one who not only brought it into the open but magnified it. So to tell people to lay off on her daughter is such a hypocrisy when you yourself was the one who brought her into the spotlight. Everyone else is telling the media to lay off from Palin's daughter, that's true but then in some ways SP has brought it upon herself, her family, her daughter all these talks. There was an article on YahooNews about Politicians kids in the public eye and where does the line lie? There was a quote there that said:
"When the offspring of politicians interact with the public, things can get dicey. And understandably so: There's no human issue more personal, more natural than the parental instinct of "Leave my children alone."
I think and feel her daughter should have been spared from all these media scrutiny and talk. She as her mother should have been the very first person to shield her from such. But I think she was the one who not only brought it into the open but magnified it. So to tell people to lay off on her daughter is such a hypocrisy when you yourself was the one who brought her into the spotlight. Everyone else is telling the media to lay off from Palin's daughter, that's true but then in some ways SP has brought it upon herself, her family, her daughter all these talks. There was an article on YahooNews about Politicians kids in the public eye and where does the line lie? There was a quote there that said:
"When the offspring of politicians interact with the public, things can get dicey. And understandably so: There's no human issue more personal, more natural than the parental instinct of "Leave my children alone."
Yet sometimes politicians have invited us in, deliberately or otherwise."
I, along with my siblings lived a life of that of a politician's family and still live it. Papa may no longer be in politics but he is still in government so the same situation applies. He was in politics for 12 years and during our most formative years at that. So I know what the children of Palin and Obama feel to be thrust into that spotlight. The children of other candidates are older and I believe better equipped to be able to handle it but the younger ones have it tougher. I know it because I lived it. Sure, ours was so much smaller in scale but I believe not at all less significant. Its a tough life. Contrary to belief, its not at all rosy. We live our lives under people's watchful eyes, under a fishbowl. We didn't ask for it but it came with the territory.
But one thing great about Papa is, he never put us front and center. We didn't interact much with the public. I think until now not a lot of people know that we are his children or that he is married to my mom. Papa and Mama tried to shield us as much as they can. Papa made sure not to hold meetings in our house or if he had to, it will be in the area of our house that is not easily accessible to us. He also didn't hold interviews there and if by chance we are all together, he steps away and allows us time to keep a safe distance. During campaigns, Mama, my siblings and I were either inside the car or behind the stage, away from people's eyes. Sometimes even in the dark. It was fun to still maintain that anonymity because when we would give out fliers wherein our names are listed, and some people would ask what our name was, we can give another name. They had no clue that they were talking to one of those names listed under "children". People may be familiar with the names but they wont be able to match it to the faces. There was only one time that we were visible when Papa decided to hand out calendars one Christmas with the family picture on it. That was the first and last time because the following year we told him not to anymore.
Being faceless with the public gave us a sense of freedom to be able to move around and also to hear people's comments like asking for money along with the paper. They were asking for money with no idea that it was his children that they were talking to. Imagine when they do know. Hearing things like that make you jaded and yet stronger and more realistic. It can sure pop anyone's idealistic bubble.
Papa and Mama really made sure that yes this is our life at that particular time but we must not forget still that we are still THEIR children not that of a politician. With us, Papa was not the board member or the Vice-Governor, he is just Papa. He made a joke once while polishing my younger sister's shoes for CAT that "halagad, the one polishing your shoes is the Vice Governor". Which my sister replied "no, the one polishing my shoes is not the Vice Governor but my father." This has been the case and always will be. When we do join him during campaign, we are not seen together, well for safety as well. I think the only one really visible is my brother. The three of us girls along with Mama stay in the shadow and I liked it that way. Up until now I cringe when my relatives add the tag "anak ng dating Vice-Governor" when they introduce me. Nothing to be ashamed of but I think and feel and believe that my parents have raised me to be more than just the daughter of the Board Member, Vice Governor etc.
Not to brag but we are good kids. We have not brought anything into the table that Papa had to be asked about or he had to answer to. We have not done anything that he had to do "damage control" over and definitely not going to start now. I think its because we don't have that added pressure to act differently than what we are or be boxed into what people think we should be. We were allowed to still live our lives the way we want to but keeping the fact that we are watched by people at the back of our minds. BristolPalin, five months pregnant should have been allowed to be pregnant without all these additional pressure and scrutiny and offensive comments surrounding her and following her around. Being a child of a politician is already hard as it is, why add to it. Thank goodness that Papa and Mama though aware that a life of a politician's family was our new "normal" still made sure that we are first and foremost their children. Yes, it means "leave my children alone!"
But one thing great about Papa is, he never put us front and center. We didn't interact much with the public. I think until now not a lot of people know that we are his children or that he is married to my mom. Papa and Mama tried to shield us as much as they can. Papa made sure not to hold meetings in our house or if he had to, it will be in the area of our house that is not easily accessible to us. He also didn't hold interviews there and if by chance we are all together, he steps away and allows us time to keep a safe distance. During campaigns, Mama, my siblings and I were either inside the car or behind the stage, away from people's eyes. Sometimes even in the dark. It was fun to still maintain that anonymity because when we would give out fliers wherein our names are listed, and some people would ask what our name was, we can give another name. They had no clue that they were talking to one of those names listed under "children". People may be familiar with the names but they wont be able to match it to the faces. There was only one time that we were visible when Papa decided to hand out calendars one Christmas with the family picture on it. That was the first and last time because the following year we told him not to anymore.
Being faceless with the public gave us a sense of freedom to be able to move around and also to hear people's comments like asking for money along with the paper. They were asking for money with no idea that it was his children that they were talking to. Imagine when they do know. Hearing things like that make you jaded and yet stronger and more realistic. It can sure pop anyone's idealistic bubble.
Papa and Mama really made sure that yes this is our life at that particular time but we must not forget still that we are still THEIR children not that of a politician. With us, Papa was not the board member or the Vice-Governor, he is just Papa. He made a joke once while polishing my younger sister's shoes for CAT that "halagad, the one polishing your shoes is the Vice Governor". Which my sister replied "no, the one polishing my shoes is not the Vice Governor but my father." This has been the case and always will be. When we do join him during campaign, we are not seen together, well for safety as well. I think the only one really visible is my brother. The three of us girls along with Mama stay in the shadow and I liked it that way. Up until now I cringe when my relatives add the tag "anak ng dating Vice-Governor" when they introduce me. Nothing to be ashamed of but I think and feel and believe that my parents have raised me to be more than just the daughter of the Board Member, Vice Governor etc.
Not to brag but we are good kids. We have not brought anything into the table that Papa had to be asked about or he had to answer to. We have not done anything that he had to do "damage control" over and definitely not going to start now. I think its because we don't have that added pressure to act differently than what we are or be boxed into what people think we should be. We were allowed to still live our lives the way we want to but keeping the fact that we are watched by people at the back of our minds. BristolPalin, five months pregnant should have been allowed to be pregnant without all these additional pressure and scrutiny and offensive comments surrounding her and following her around. Being a child of a politician is already hard as it is, why add to it. Thank goodness that Papa and Mama though aware that a life of a politician's family was our new "normal" still made sure that we are first and foremost their children. Yes, it means "leave my children alone!"
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