In a recent episode of "The View," a heated debate over parenting styles led to an unexpected interruption from the show's executive producer, Brian Teta. The discussion, which revolved around whether or not it's appropriate to raise one's voice at children, saw differing opinions from the co-hosts, with Whoopi Goldberg at the center of the controversy.
The debate was sparked by a report from the Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect, which suggested that yelling at children could be as harmful as physical or sexual abuse. Goldberg, a mother herself, expressed her belief that occasionally raising one's voice is necessary. "Sometimes they just don’t get it. So you have to get a little bit louder," she said, emphasizing that the intent behind the words mattered more than the volume. She clarified that her stance wasn't about hurling insults but rather sternly warning children about potential dangers, like a hot oven.
However, Joy Behar, another co-host, countered Goldberg's viewpoint, suggesting that the content of the message was more important than the volume. "You can say the nicest thing and yell and you can say the meanest thing and whisper. So it’s not the volume that counts, it’s what you’re saying," Behar opined.
Sunny Hostin, reflecting on her upbringing, shared that her parents neither hit nor yelled at her. She went on to discuss the impact of such behaviors on children, noting that individuals often emulate the behaviors they experienced in their youth. Hostin's husband, she revealed, had a different upbringing, with his mother being more vocal. She emphasized the importance of breaking such cycles, deeming yelling "very damaging."
Sara Haines, another panelist, admitted to occasionally raising her voice, especially in situations where her children might be in danger. However, she also confessed to feeling guilty about it at times. Goldberg, in her characteristic style, advised Haines not to harbor such guilt.
The debate reached its climax when executive producer Brian Teta intervened, instructing Goldberg to cut to a commercial break. The directive, delivered with a sense of urgency, momentarily confused Goldberg, who responded with a light-hearted quip, "I’m sorry, did you say something?" Teta, lowering his voice, reiterated his request, leading the show to a commercial break.
This isn't the first time Goldberg has been at the center of a controversy on the show. In a previous episode, she unexpectedly inquired if co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin was expecting a child, leading to an awkward on-air moment. Griffin, taken aback, clarified she wasn't pregnant, especially noting the presence of her eager mother-in-law in the audience. Goldberg later apologized for her remark, attributing it to a perceived "glow" around Griffin.
Despite the occasional on-air tensions, "The View" continues to be a platform where diverse opinions are shared and debated, reflecting the complexities of contemporary issues.