The parents are frequently brought to tears when presented with the likelihood of their children's unhappy future appearance and significantly reduced life expectancy.
Highly variable traits such as clothes, hairstyles, jewelry, eyeglasses, facial hair, and so forth are added to the computer generated images based on guesses by the show at the social and educational impact current poor parenting may have on the children's future lives.
These guesses at highly variable traits are swayed depending on the outcome predicted by the show's child experts based upon the likely life expectancy, state of health and emotional stability of the children.
[1] It is generally accepted that positive reward and praise of children is likely to enhance their social and educational chances in later life, by making them more confident and emotionally secure.
Legend: Currently airing No longer airing Upcoming version (Maori: E te honi, kei te patu matou i nga tamariki) Common Sense Media rated the show 3 out of 5 stars, stating that it "has all the annoying elements of a reality show: constant replaying of dramatic moments, meetings in an eerie gothic mansion, editing that may not tell the whole story, and a pat ending.
"[2] Pop Matters was less favorable, writing that it "combines Dr. Phil's self-scourging pap with the sight of chubby children being deprived of the things they love".