Must watch tv!
I have to admit, prior to watching this show I was one of the ignoramuses who thought all Pitbulls were bad and all convicts should just stay in prison (or that they didn't deserve any rights while they were incarcerated)... man was I wrong.
When I first watched this show I remember stereotyping the people/animals right away, Tia appeared to be one of those "biker chicks" who probably shouldn't have custody of her kids, who no doubt had some drugs on the property and/or illegal activity going on but as I watched, admittedly mostly to see her fail and my preconceived notions of her (Tia), her children, the parolees and the Pitbulls come true, I was left eating crow. The show would peek my interest in not only educating myself more about Pitbulls but about parolees and the American justice system (wow, how screwed up that is!), it would shine a light on the medias fascination, and misrepresentation, of not only Pitbulls but ex-cons as well. Like so many things the media saw ratings in it's stories about these big bad dogs and ran with it, almost single-handedly turning peoples perceptions of the breed against them despite any evidence they are any worse than any other breed of dog. I already knew the media liked to do things like glorify shark attacks for ratings and ignore things like the fact more people die each year from cows then sharks but they never reported on that and here I was faced with the awful truth that I had been misguided... again!
As the years, and seasons, have gone on I have done a complete 180, I don't see the Pitbulls as the problem but simply those who own them, as a matter of fact I now consider Pitbulls to be among the most loyal and family friendly among breeds, I have educated myself about the problems with the American prison systems and mistreatment of convicts resulting in higher rates on re-offending and have seen what other countries are doing about it that has drastically reduced the recidivism of ex-cons not only reducing the stress on families but adding to the contributions made by these people in their communities.
Tia and her daughters, although inked and tough looking on first appearances, are simply strong willed women with hearts if gold.
Not an episode goes by that doesn't tear at the heart strings, makes me wonder how people can be so cruel, or how so many dogs can remain unadopted? Where would this world be without people like Tia? or shows like Pitbulls & Parolees.
