I was scanning yesterday’s paper – no, I take that back, Wednesday’s paper – and came across this brief column by Belinda Webb – questioning the value of a new TV program “How The Other Half Lives”, alongside other (earlier) types of this programming such as “Secret Millionare”. The latter show is based on the idea that a “millionare” lives in an impoverished estate (or similar) for a period of time and then must choose from among those he/she encounters who to give “life changing” money to. The former – is the newest version of the type – and it seems links two families one poor one rich, the poor family being “sponsored” by the wealthy family.

I find this type of “entertainment” disquieting on so many levels. My first reaction is – this is a PR stunt, and in no way real charity. We are taught that the right hand ought not to know what the left is doing in charity – that is to say, charity undertaken to promote one’s self, to show, or to demonstrate one’s “concern” for the least among us is . . . not really charity is it?

And I think there is a reason for this, one which, until just a few minutes ago I did not realise. Charity (of this sort) done in the public eye has the veneer of raising awareness, but the substance, it seems to me, is not as laudable. There is an “expectation” (because of the media of TV) that the “poor” individual/family will express effusive gratitude. There is also the “expectation” (by the audience) of reflection – the feel good factor – on the part of the “donor”. In a way – it creates an old style “patron-client” relationship – which really defeats the purpose of charity; and perhaps even a bit of condescension towards the recipients. Christ gives with no expectation of a return – whether it be through our own gifts and offerings, or our praise for his charitable acts. The point of the teaching then – it seems to me – is that if we undertake acts of charity with an expectation, or to fulfil an expectation of such a response – we are in effect doing it for our own benefit, our own desire for glory.

I’m all for raising awareness of the poverty level in the UK which is shocking to be sure – I think its something like 1 in 3 children in London are subsisting below the poverty level (I might have that figure wrong) – this in a country with a substantial social welfare net (by comparison with what I saw in the US anyway). I’m also very much in favour of being a part of doing something about it – but is a “reality” TV show the way forward? Is this really going to get people organised and make a substantive long term difference for whole communities – or is it, as Belinda Webb suggests – just a form of voyeurism?