Issue date: 3/18/10 Section: Opinion

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It seems that you can't turn on the television, walk into a bookstore, or check out at the supermarket without seeing Kate Gosselin. The mother of eight known for her hit reality show, John & Kate Plus Eight, with now ex husband Jon, has spun her stardom into a media frenzy that has America pining over her every move. Fresh off the heels of her very public divorce, Gosselin is determined to have a fresh start in 2010. She was recently cast on the upcoming tenth season of Dancing With The Stars, and the tabloids have already begun tearing her apart. Would it be criminal to give the poor woman a chance?

I admit that I am a fan of Kate Gosselin. Say what you want about her, but the woman is smart. While on the show, she wrote three books that rocketed to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list and has a fourth due in April. She knows precisely who her audience is and how to cater to their interests. Dancing With The Stars is a widely popular show among young to middle aged women and she knows she can count on their votes and support. She will also be showing off her toned, taut body in an array of skimpy costumes that are sure to win over the boyfriends and husbands who are forced to watch.

There is also much debate as to whether or not Gosselin is a good mother. The media relentlessly grills her for employing nannies, taking time out for herself, and even getting hair extensions. The last time I checked, Jon is barely in the picture, always out partying with his girlfriend of the moment. Gosselin is left to do the majority of the parenting herself, and since she can afford it, she chooses to have nannies. Now that the show is on hiatus, Gosselin has to earn money somehow, and doing it on a nurse's salary with eight children is impossible. An opportunity such as Dancing With The Stars could not have come at a better time. She may be away from her children for days at a time, but what choice does she have? Today's average family needs two incomes to survive, which means more often than not, children are left in daycare. How are Gosselin's nannies any different than Kinder Care?

Furthermore, Jon cannot be counted on to provide steady child support due to his relapse of college-like behavior. Dancing will surely provide a much greater income than she and Jon could earn on their former salaries combined. Gosselin is simply thinking about her family's best interest, and that is clearly her children's welfare.

I firmly believe that Kate Gosselin is an honest person who strives to be the best mother possible. It is easy to be swayed by the tabloids as they paint an unflattering picture of a reality mom who became addicted to fame. However, the true reality is this: Gosselin is human like the rest of us. She never claimed to be perfect and has made mistakes, even admitting to her own shortcomings on the show and in interviews. But she also constantly stresses her love for her children, and that is something that cannot be fabricated. I wish you the best of luck, Kate. Tango your way to the top!

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