Are 'Jon & Kate' in Hot Water?

Are the Gosselin family of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" treading thin ice when it comes to child labor laws? Paul Petersen, a former child star and now a children's rights activist shares his concerns about the surprise stars of TLC.

"I was being besieged by concerned viewers contacting me via e-mail through [my] Web site saying, 'Have you watched this?'" says Petersen. "It's excruciating to me, it really is, to see these children on what ought to be a family vacation, for example, having to perform like little trained seals."

"The reports started to surface about the economics of the Gosselin family, and that was a red flag for sure," he continues. "Then of course we had plastic surgery and alterations in appearance and then the absolute excess of things being given to this family, and that's when I started to ask some questions."

Last week the Associated Press reported that the Pennsylvania Department of Labor will look into complaints made against the show with regard to child labor laws, and TLC released a statement to "The Insider" saying that it "fully complies with all applicable laws and regulations" and "will continue to engage the appropriate officials and meet any standards or regulations that are applicable to TLC productions."

"I'm concerned about limited work hours. I'm concerned about the education. I'm concerned about the safety and welfare of these children," says Petersen. "There are laws in Pennsylvania, and I'm not sure they're being observed."

Watch "The Insider" for more with Paul Petersen and "Jon & Kate Plus 8."

Published 6/3/09 by the Insider

Comments (34)

  • orLogin
  • I feel for those kids!
    Anonymous 7/2/09 Reply
  • Jon is a disgrace! To flaunt his mistress, and then to appear on the show! Kate may be a bit showy, but she is trying to do her best with the kids. Jon-GROW UP!! Or get out of your childrens' lives before you do more damage to them!
    Anonymous 6/15/09 Reply
  • While negative news and gossip swirls around the web about Jon & Kate Gosselin and their family, a new blog is joining the ranks of those praying for this couple and their family - JonandKatePrayers.com. The purpose of this blog is to refocus...
    RickG3 6/7/09 Reply
  • Right on Paul! Glad to see someone is looking out for these kids. Pull the plug now!
    Anonymous 6/4/09 Reply
  • Stop! If you want to be concerned about a program on TLC lets talk about "Toddlers and Tiara's"! that program is sick!!!

    Jon & Kate may have their personal problems BUT all I see is two very loving parents who want nothing but the best for their...
    Anonymous 6/4/09 Reply
  • These children are given rehearsed lines to say. On June 1 "Kate's Birthday Surprise" one of the tups says to another "We're gonna say...Mom, the big bus is here. Where are we going? And she'll give us a piece of candy."
    Anonymous 6/4/09 Reply
  • I hope we keep hearing about these kids and their 'parents' until the show is cancelled...these kids deserve normal childhoods and until the show is done, it won't happen
    Anonymous 6/4/09 Reply
  • Why are PA elected officials looking into this?
    Anonymous 6/4/09 Reply
  • Mr. Petersen you are a warrior for these children and I hope you stay with this until the fight is over...these children will get nothing if it is up to these 2 greedy parents.They will need long term therapy as it is.A bit of that would not hurt...
    Anonymous 6/3/09 Reply
  • How bad it would be to have your life opened up and criticized by everyone. Especially with family problems, such attention only aggravates it. Maybe its time for them to turn off the camera and get back to living life as a family.
    Listing 6/3/09 Reply
  • they should stay together i think for the children and try to work out their problems it just dosnt make any scence how kate acts like the world revolves around her she just needs to chill and get councelling for her falling apart marrige
    Anonymous 6/3/09 Reply
  • Thank you speaking for the children. There need to be advocates looking out for EACH child on reality TV.
    Anonymous 6/3/09 Reply
  • WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE!?! Families go through their highs and lows, whether it be on TV or not. Every family, (especially one of this size) needs someone to take charge, schedule and delegate. Every family needs a soft heart that loves to play and...
    Anonymous 6/3/09 Reply
  • I sure hope that the wicked witch of PA doesnt spend all the money with her BOOB job and all her traveling so that the kids have enough money to go to counseling.
    Anonymous 6/3/09 Reply
  • Can ANYONE give me the E mail address to TLC? I for the life of me can NOT find it... THANK YOU
    Anonymous 6/3/09 Reply