October 10th 2024.
Hannah openly acknowledged that there was a concern that had been brought to her attention. It's quite interesting to note that the cast of Married At First Sight UK, who willingly agreed to marry complete strangers, are quite particular when it comes to their potential partners. Their list of requirements is quite extensive, ranging from physical attributes like being a "unreal brunette" (whatever that means) to more personal qualities such as being over 6ft tall. They also desire partners who are kind, funny, loyal, ambitious, and financially independent. However, it's ironic that they don't want fame, considering they are on a reality TV show.
The show's experts, Paul C Brunson, Mel Schilling, and Charlene Douglas, certainly have their work cut out for them in trying to find these singletons their perfect match. It's not an easy task to fulfill all their desires or to challenge them to look beyond the surface. It's understandable that two people who may not necessarily be each other's physical "type" can still make a relationship work if they have a strong emotional connection. However, there is one recurring issue that is harder to compromise on – children.
During Stephen and Hannah's wedding, this issue came to the forefront. Stephen struggled to find the courage to reveal to Hannah, his new bride, that he has four children from a previous marriage. This revelation seemed to disappoint Hannah, and she admitted that it had raised a red flag in her mind. She even shared this news with the other guests in disbelief, leaving Stephen feeling uncomfortable. It was uncomfortable for me as well, watching this preventable exchange unfold.
This was not the first time this season that this issue had arisen. Alex had also expressed his preference for a partner who didn't have children, but he was willing to overlook that "stuff" if he falls in love with someone. When Holly, a mother of two, found out about Alex's stance, she was left in tears. It broke my heart to see her made to feel like her children were an undesirable trait.
We have seen this happen in previous seasons as well, such as when April found out that her potential partner, George, had four children. This was not something she was looking for, and it caused a lot of tension between them.
It's concerning to see this recurring issue on the show, and it makes one wonder why the matchmakers keep pairing people together when they have clearly expressed their views on having children. As one viewer, Raych, summarized on X, "Sorry but four kids is extremely wild to someone who doesn't have any at all. Of course, his kids come first, but she doesn't have to stay for that ride, unfortunately."
Another viewer, Tim Pearce, expressed frustration with the experts' choices and suggested that there should be performance reviews for them because they seem to be missing the mark. If the matchmakers are aware that this could potentially be a problem, then perhaps it's going too far in the name of entertainment to pair these individuals together. I also can't help but think about how these children must feel, having their existence talked about as if it's an inconvenience. It can't be easy to watch your parent struggle to admit that you are a part of their life.
Furthermore, if someone is not willing to embrace the role of a step-parent, they are unlikely to be the best adult figure for the children. That is why it's problematic to make this a recurring narrative on the show. It's too late for the couples in season nine, but in the future, it would be better to find out how the participants feel about potentially becoming step-parents. If they are unsure, then production should encourage them to take the time to carefully consider it, so they don't end up making their future spouse feel guilty.
At the end of the day, portraying real children as something to overcome, similar to the way a couple may have to decide whether to move to a different city, just doesn't seem right. Even if people can work past it, they shouldn't have been put in that position in the first place. And parents should not have to defend their decision to have children.
This holds true in the real world of dating as well. It's important to be honest about one's feelings towards a partner who has children. It's only fair to everyone involved in the long run. This should be celebrated on reality TV, not used as a source of drama. There are plenty of other ways to create entertainment without intentionally causing issues.
Do you have a similar experience to share? We would love to hear from you. Email us at jess.email and share your views in the comments below.
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