World's Strictest Parents

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Unruly teens get an eye-opening reality check.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know although that this series -- which follows unruly teens who temporarily move in with a strict family -- is very clear about the need for boundaries for teens, it sends some confusing messages about parenting, bouncing between extremes (too lax on one end, overly strict on the other). The troubled and/or spoiled teens are shown drinking, smoking, lying, sneaking around, and disrespecting adults. There's also some strong language, though the worst is bleeped. Parents who watch with their kids can discuss some of the reasons behind these behaviors; check out our tips for these conversations.

  • The show makes it clear that boundaries are needed for teens, but the messages get muddled as that point is made, with extreme parenting styles clashing for maximum drama. Teens theoretically come away from the experiment with a different perspective about their parents and their own behavior (which includes sneaking around, lying, being disrespectful, drinking, and more).
  • The teens' biological parents sometimes come across as having iffy parenting
    skills and/or lacking the backbone to stand up to their kids. Host
    families sometimes seem to take their rules to the extreme for the sake
    of the cameras -- or to create more drama. Some of the kids come from
    single-parent homes. Not a lot of diversity among the featured families.
  • Lots of arguing between teens and parents. Some teens get into fights with other teens, leading to pushing, shoving, and punching. One teen jokes about torching his host family's house.
  • References to having sex.
  • Audible language includes words like like "hell" and "pissed," while words like "f--k" and "s--t" are fully bleeped.
  • Some of the kids have iPods and iPhones.
  • A lot of teen cigarette smoking and drinking (beer, wine, hard liquor). References to marijuana use.

What's the story?

WORLD'S STRICTEST PARENTS follows the journey of unruly teenagers who are sent to live with strict host parents for a week so that they can look at life from another perspective and reevaluate their behavior. The teens -- who are used to spending their time drinking, smoking, fighting, and undermining their real parents -- are forced to adapt to a new life full of rules, chores, and punishments. But while the teens' new guardians are strict, they also take the time to get to know the kids and help them understand how their negative behavior is impacting their lives. At the end of the week, the teens and all their parents get together and talk about what they've learned from the experience.


Is it any good?

 

The series (which is based on a British series of the same name) tries to send some positive messages about curbing inappropriate teen behavior and setting limits. But some of the take-aways are a little confusing. The show fails to hold the teens' biological parents accountable for failing to establish and enforce rules. And there are times when the well-intentioned host parents appear to be playing to the cameras, especially when they talk endlessly about the multiple ways that their "new" kids are breaking the rules and will be punished.

While it seems like all of the adults involved are trying to do the right thing, it's obvious that for some of the teens, the entire experience is just a temporary bandage covering deeper psychological issues. Still, overall, World's Strictest Parents attempts to address teens' need for clear and consistent boundaries to guide them and to help them see that their negative behaviors can lead to some very serious consequences.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the behavior of the kids on the show. Are they just "rebelling" against their parents, or are they exhibiting signs of deeper problems?

  • What are some of the real-life consequences of drinking and/or smoking
    at such a young age? Is the show's solution a realistic way to address
    behavior like this?

  • Can reality shows really help
    people improve their lives? Can people truly change after just one week
    of living a different life?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Kid, 13 years old
December 11, 2010
 
Good
This show-I have only seen it once- is very good. I have not seen it since, but I think it is a good message about respect toward adult figures in your life. I would have teens 13+ watch it. At about this age- but maybe a little younger- teens start to dissrespect their parents a little more. This show will show you how easily a family can get ripped apart by disrespect. But it also shows how hard it is to you've started. Whether it is just dissobaying common rules or bigger acts of dissrespect. Overall a good show. -katherine

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Parent of 16 year old
November 14, 2009
 
Finally, a show unlike the Supernanny show which doesn't show good role models from early on. I think this show is very good, because despite the fact that I have three daughters, one has been doing more than her share at times, the other has some limitations due to mild disability and always helped out until lately when her sister (middle child) set HORRIBLE example, is lazy, disrespectful, rude, not willing to keep house rules, and expects life to hand her everything on a silver platter, she's become a gold digger and equates love with money. I have done my level best to provide nice things for her, basic things and beyond that to ensure her happiness. She breaks promises (ex. for years said she wanted a dog and would do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING for it, but now does less than 1% for the dog because "she has a life and is busy"....soon I will put dog up for adoption if she continues doing nothing for it). I seriously would like to have her on the show, but she is 18, and not sure if it's too late, but I'm so drained, like a sponge that is saturated with her, cannot take anymore of her backtalk, laziness, freshness, etc. I get whiplash with her moodiness. I seriously want her to come to terms with how much hurt she has inflicted on her family for so many years. This show has definitely made me realize that parents have to become stricter. I do try to set rules and give chores, but need more consequences when they aren't done. I'm tired of confrontations, trying to get her counseling was a horrible experience as she freaked out on my daughter and I bigtime. She's impossible and I have become so distraught with what to do with her. Can't stand her under my own roof anymore. I loved her so much, but now, I don't know what I feel, except alot of anger towards her for all the damage that she has done and continues to do. Any suggestions would surely be appreciated.

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Adult
December 27, 2010
 
Good for all ages
I think this is a great show for both parents, teens and even little ones. Parents can see what works for the Strict family vs. what they may not be doing and can learn from it. Teens can see that although they think discipline is pointless or "stupid", it is very constructive for them... you can tell that teens actually crave discipline and structure. They are always happy and satisfied after their "punishments", they strive to do better. Little ones could watch with their parents and see/discuss what happens if they choose to be bad, to avoid that form of behavior from the get go. I'm 23 and I think it's a great show to watch by myself or with my family. I'm very grateful my mother raised me the proper way. She could be on the show! I'd like to see some "later on" episodes of the teenagers; if they changed at home and the difference since their experience. Or if they went back to their old ways. I'm curious to see how they're doing. Overall, World's Strictest Parents isn't just an enlightening television program, it's a great learning experience for everyone, for both the families and the viewers at home.

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Teen, 16 years old
November 23, 2009
 
My opinon
I think its good because it shows and tells our kids what can happen when they get older

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Teen, 14 years old
July 23, 2009
 
ok for tweens
I do think that it has some iffy stuff such as lanuage but it really does teach kids that its wrong to drink, smoke, do drugs and give in to peer pressure. if i was a parent i probably wouldnt let my 10 year old watch it but if they were older and more mature then why not?

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Parent of 2, 12, and 17 year old
May 9, 2009
 
A little too much
I believe there's too much drama to actually believe these kids are taking it serious, I don't believe phycological issues and drug problems can be solved in 1 week..where are the parents during these sessions? if these issues started at home shouldn't the parents also be accountable for their kids and involved in this whole experience, do they really think sending their kids off to live total strangers for a week especially not being professional phycologist or therapist will solve their issues at home? Another thing that bothered me was that these so called strict parents (some not all) talk negatively about the biological parents, I don't know about those parents but that would really set me off, how will that help these kids? who do these people think they are to make themselves look like their teaching lessons and then they are speaking negatively about the kids parents.

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Teen, 15 years old
May 26, 2009
 
Personally I like this show. It deals with important issues that teenage america is exposed to on a daily basis!

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Adult
November 5, 2009
 
Good show, great website!
I saw World's Strictest Parents for the first time a few weeks ago and thought it was pretty good. I thought the show had some valuable insight and tools for parents who may be struggling in their relationships with their teenage kids. Upon furthur research, I discovered their website, *cmtworldsstrictestparents*. I think it's a wonderful source for parents and teens alike, as it light-hearted and fun, but also a great resource for parenting tips and advice. And as a bonus: you can take a poll on the website and you're automatically entered into a cash prize sweepstakes!

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Adult
June 9, 2009
 
Not in a week
My wife and I have been foster parents for 20+ years and we have even found one week to be enough time to turn teens the way this show does. We have always used the same positive techniques but it takes months to years to make a behavioral change like that. I do feel that the show is a positive step forward for most viewers. We take in teens that have been sexually, physical, emotionally abused for years, I would like to see your view on those teens.

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Teen, 17 years old
October 27, 2009
 
me molesta q no sean justos
mi pregunta es porque si los padres son tan estrictos acerca de un pirsin porque su hija si puede tenerlos en la oreja y la muchacha q es su hija por la semana no?

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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:NR
Network:CMT
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
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