Extreme Waste: Home Edition

Sometimes I watch television shows to criticize them rather than to enjoy them. Case in point: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. While the program evokes emotions of sadness, and anguish, and empathy for most viewers, I am apathetic. Let me explain two beefs I have with the show: Some of the families have legitimate dilemmas and misfortunes which necessitate the need for a brand new home. (i.e.: mold problems or disabled children or parents) But do children who have leukemia all need a 2,500 square foot house? If my Dad lost his arm in a boating accident is my family entitled to a fancy house? How about families that have children (biological or adopted) and "need more space". I live in an apartment - if I adopt two children do I deserve a new home? I believe that a new home, in most cases, does not solve people's problems. The child still has cancer, the man still has one arm, and the death of a loved will not be alleviated by a new home. Any benefits provided by the house will be temporary. Most of these families need financial aid for sure, but not in the form of a house. What these families need is financial support along with psychological, spiritual, and emotional support.

My second complaint is the unnecessary waste the makeover involves. In the episodes I have seen, the team demolishes the family's entire "old" house - with no thought to salvaging any part of it. Houses maybe twenty years old are bulldozed without question. Windows, doors, plumbing (sinks, facets, toilets), wood, counters, electrical components and much more could be removed and reused. Surely in some cases renovations to the existing house could meet the family's needs and save money, time, and housing materials.

Let me know how you feel under comments.