This mini-series was commissioned by Channel 4 and made by Love Productions. Representatives from both companies shift their position over the exact nature of the programme to defend it from accusations of abusive treatment of children.
Love Productions describes its specialist area (which includes 'The Baby Borrowers') as 'thought-provoking, entertaining television'. However, the producers are keen that such programmes are not classified as entertainment, because then they would be obliged to meet legal conditions to protect child performers. They describe 'Boys and Girls Alone' as 'a groundbreaking documentary'. However, the editing room cut-and-paste is motivated less by an accurate depiction of childhood than by what will boost the ratings. Alternatively, the programme is claimed to be a 'social experiment'. But no research ethics committee would pass this kind of proposal involving children. Another claim is that the programme is 'educational'. Yet any genuinely educational endeavour would address, 'Is this the best way to support children to learn useful life skills?' and the answer is 'No!'
'Boys and Girls Alone' is an example of exploitative reality TV that involves children who cannot give their informed consent. Parental agreement is a meaningless safeguard, when parents are ready to give permission for their children's distress to become public property.
You may think, 'Well, at least they were eight- to eleven-year-olds'. Love Productions has already found enough under-fives for its next project. 'Daddy Day Care' intends to place babies and very young children in the care of unknown men, who are fathers but not trained childcare professionals. The filming has been postponed but, as far as I know, not cancelled.
