The Teenage Daughters of 'Sister Wives' Star Kody Brown Are Acting Out. Why Are We Not Surprised?

Kody Brown and his four wives have their hands full keeping up with their 18 kids -- especially now that the teenagers are rebelling. We're not shocked that the oldest girls in this polygamist family are being disobedient, are you? Dealing with a teenage daughter isn't exactly smooth sailing, but when you've got 18 kids? Forget about it! The stars of the TLC reality show Sister Wives -- Kody Brown and his four wives (Meri, 39, Janelle, 40, Christine, 37, and Robyn, 31) -- have got to be stretched to their limits keeping up with so many kids, but their problems with their rebellious teens have reportedly gotten a lot worse since the show's premiere on TLC last month. "The daughters seem messed up from this situation," a neighbor who lives near the Brown's Lehi, Utah, home tells In Touch. "It is no wonder that the teenagers of the Sister Wives family are rebelling. They are living in a surreal world where they are being told that it's natural and wonderful for a man to have several wives," Beverly Hills celebrity psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman tells HollyBaby.com.

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October 28, 2010 9:00AM EDT

Other locals agree that the teenage members of the Brown brood have a tendency to rebel. Madison, a pretty brunette, has began running with a rough crowd of kids. “Her group of friends was caught popping pills in school,” says a source, adding that the 14-year-old tends to hang out with “Goths” and “druggies.” “Some nights she sneaks out to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol, and her sisters Mykelti and Aspyn have covered for her.” HollyMoms, what would you do if your daughter started sneaking out and developing unhealthy habits?

Dr. Lieberman tells HollyBaby.com that she isn’t surprised that the kids are behaving badly and she’s placing blame on the parents. “The wives are in denial and are extremely damaging role-models for their daughters. They are teaching their daughters that they are not worth much, either — and that no man will love them,” she explains. “The daughters are being self-destructive because their mothers have thrust them into a soul-damaging lifestyle. Each additional wife stirs up jealousies and resentments, plunging them into darker despair.”

Read more about the ‘Sister Wives’ controversy

It looks like Mykelti, 13, is also following in her big sister’s footsteps. “She dyed her hair bright red a few weeks ago. It looks absolutely ridiculous,” says the neighbor, who is quick to point out that the teen goes out in public in short-shorts and sexy clothing, even in cold weather!

Are Kody and his wives hurting their kids?

Dr. Lieberman says this is a classic cry for attention. “The daughters’ rebellion is a cry for help, a plea to be noticed and recognized for their own feelings — which are really at odds with their family. They are being forced to pretend for the cameras that they love — or at least accept – living in a polygamous family. But, deep down they know that it is very sick.”

We suggest the Brown’s forget about another season of their reality show, kick the cameras out of their house and put the spotlight back on parenting. Do you agree?

–Amy L. Harper

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