Culinary Kidz

So, I would like to share my feelings on something that I have been seeing a trend of on food television lately that has all but completely turned me off from watching it. The newest trend seems to be competition cooking shows involving CHILDREN. C-H-I-L-D-R-E-N.. Now, I understand that the idea is attempting to start a movement of kid cooks, and I dig that, I really do. I think even as someone who never wants children of his own, the idea of a child learning how to sufficiently cook themselves good wholesome foods that don't have microwave instructions on them is one of the most beneficial life skills they can gain. So why is it that these networks are turning these children into competitors, and instead of teaching teamwork in a learning environment, they put these kids under insane pressure to perform in a culinary competition and then judge them and dramatically eliminate them one by one until they crown a champion. I can only imagine the day when they run an iron chef special for children. I literally cringe at the thought.