Perhaps the circumstances that fueled the transformation of the Duggars from harmless zoo exhibit to participants in a media circus are the impetus we need to blow the tranquilizer dart at the genre, putting down not only 19 Kids and Counting but any reality TV show that profiteers on down-home exploitation.

Perhaps it’s time to no longer be charmed by, amused by, or mindlessly entertained by these “normal” families that constitute “real America,” whose gee-golly, god-fearing goodness we’re exploiting. Perhaps it’s time to stop over-simplifying the heartland: they love Christ and have funny accents, how cute!

Maybe we need to rethink what we’re encouraging by taking advantage of these people, and think more about who these people are that we’re giving platforms to. Maybe we need to bring accountability and social responsibility—and not just exploitation and shamelessness—to the reality TV genre…

Are we to believe that we’re not fully aware what we’re in for when we bring camera crews into the lives of these people? That while we’re game and hoping to put a lens on, and arguably exploit, their down-home, Americana ways that we’re not going to stumble upon other, less charming behaviors that may go hand-in-hand with that?