Kestra, I think it might be problematic to insist so loudly that the mother's behavior was abhorrent when you only make passing comment about this being the "the latest manifestation of the ancient Roman Colosseum". The colosseum comment is one that is critical I think, instead you go on to slam one of the lesser perpetrators in the picture.

Further, I take exception to your position that people like this shouldn't breed. People like what? How on earth are you going to determine whether a pregnant woman is going to do something horrible 14 years into the future.

Seriously, what are you proposing? That all bogans under 18 need to give up their children at birth to Child Protective Services. That any woman who has smoked, had a drink or done some pot should be sterilized?

It strikes me as a misanthropic position. I hope it was just a brain fart, and not some considered opinion.

Yes, the woman, for whatever reason, chose probably the worst way possible to address her child's problems. I dare say there will always be people who make a wrong choice because they're stupid, or panicking, or evil and so on. You try and address the results of that wrong choice as best you can, and try and prevent it happening again, some how.

But in this particular case, I think it's interesting to look at this quote
Media experts said the station, which makes an estimated $15 million in advertising from the show, was running a fine line trying to boost ratings and attract advertising dollars with such controversial, publicity-attracting stunts.

‘‘Advertisers always want to be associated with a wholesome product, so broadcasters have to be very careful,’’ said Harold Mitchell, Australia’s most influential media buyer. He expressed confidence in Austereo’s handling of the issue.

Fusion Strategy’s Steve Allen said advertising clients viewed the FM breakfast program as the ‘‘lynchpin of 2Day’,’ generating most of its reach and delivering a coveted young audience of more than 550,000 listeners.

‘‘The continuing controversies are actually part of why it rates so well,’’ he said.

Greg Fraser, an analyst with Fat Prophets, said Kyle and Jackie O were known for political incorrectness. ‘‘Advertisers may chose to temporarily remove their support but they would have a reasonable idea that this is what the show is about. And if they want that audience, the show is still delivering what they want, as abhorrent as it is.’’
So I take it that the police, and child protective services are looking into the child and the mother's relationship with that child. That's proper. But iit's foul, and predictable, that the radio station gets all this publicity (which I have contributed to by posting this thread here) and will ultimately be rewarded with higher ratings and more advertising revenue.

The media feeds this. With Jon and Kate plus 8, and stunts like this, they get huge rewards for showing bad behavior. They promise great rewards for people who are badly behaved;
-exploit your 8 children and we'll give you a couple of million and a new house
-get a fertility treatment to have octuplets while living on the poverty line and we'll give you a talk show
-go on the jerry springer show dressed up as a klansman in nappies married to a black 12 year old lesbian.

This is a thing bigger than badly behaved individuals.