Protecting Your Child Actors

If there is one thing that all child actors need, it isprotection. Historically, child actors have been an exploited group, and whilethere are many laws now in place to protect them, the truth is, there are stillmany unscrupulous people out there who do not have your child’s best interestsin mind.  This should not scare you,though, as the number one thing that can protect your child is not far away atany time – it’s you!

The role of parents should never be underestimated when itcomes to child actors. There are so many things that they can do for thechildren that even advocates or agents with the child’s best interests in mindmay not be able to do.  While it may seemlike the child is worldly beyond his or her yeas, one of the most importantthings to remember is the child actor is still a child, and that child needsthe unconditional love and support of a parent – as well as some discipline,considering he or she is in a very fast-paced and adult world.

One of the most important pieces of legislation to come along is the Cooganlaw. Named after destitute child actor Jackie Coogan, it simplifies thedifficult task of deciding what happens to a child actor’s money – putting mostof it into a trust that is not to be touched until the child is of the age oflegal majority.  This is not to make lifehard, but rather, to ensure that nobody, from agents to studios to even familymembers, can take the child’s hard-earned money that they expect to have whenthey get older.  The law has helpedimmensely when it comes to providing much-needed protection for the actors, andmany of the horror stories of child performers being bilked out of millionshave become things of history, rather than what is going on in present times.

As you can see, there are many things you can do for yourchild performers. Ensuring that the laws are being followed on set, providing astrong and stable family living situation, and making sure the money the childearns is being put away for the child are great starts. Listening to your childand identifying his or her wants and needs is also important – be sure to neveroverlook that as your child carves a path to stardom!