Industry Experts Say Moms Like Kris Jenner Should Not Become 'Momagers' (VIDEO)

The term "momager" is used to describe a woman that acts as the manager to her child working in the entertainment industry, and according to Fox News, industry experts are saying that this mom/manager hybrid is a risky position that creates a conflict of interest, and moms should just stick to being moms. 

Los Angeles-based talent and co-founder of online casting service GotCast, Alec Shankman, told Fox News that if possible, mothers should put their children's careers "in the hands of trained professionals who manage talent for a living," adding that "kids still need parents at home for an entirely different type of support than Hollywood."

Shankman said that it's all about balance when it comes to momagers.

"(This type of relationship) has been around forever and will continue to be around for a long time. But it's important to be able to differentiate between business and personal. Young talent needs support in both parts of their lives. If it is all business and the kids can't ever be kids, you can run into issues. And if it's all personal and there isn't someone properly managing the kid's business, you can also run into issues."

Famous pop-managers include Joe Jackson, father of Michael Jackson and the former Jackson 5, Will Smith, father of showbiz kids Willow and Jaden Smith, and Matthew Knowles, father of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles.

Famous momagers include Dina Lohan, mother of Lindsay Lohan, Ethel Milne, mother of Judy Garland, Krista Keller Stodden, who manages her daughter Courtney Stodden, and of course Kris Jenner, matriarch and manager of the Kardashian clan. 

According to Shankman, Jenner "has done an incredible job building on-camera careers for each member of her very large family," making her one of the best momagers out there, in his opinion.

Despite the success of many children of momagers, relationships are often met with bad ends. R&B superstar Usher was forced to part ways with his momager, Jonetta Patton, in 2007 after Patton showed clear disapproval of his marriage to now ex-wife Tameka Foster.

"Gossip Girl" star Leighton Meester sued her mother former momager Constance over alleged miuse of funds from her days as a child actor, and the court ruled in her favor in 2011. Most recently, "Modern Family" star Ariel Winter "successfully petitioned to have her sister, not her momager, granted permanent guardianship" after alleged abuse from her mother.

However, Paula Dorn, co-founder of the BizParentz Foundation, a non-profit corporation that provides support to parents and children engaged in the entertainment industry, points out that the term "momager" is not necessarily positive or negative.

"It seems as though many inexperienced parents believe they should be taking on career-enhancing tasks for their child (such as marketing and publicity) without understanding what is appropriate," Dorn told Fox News. She warned that while there are some circumstances where moms may know what's best when it comes to management, it is "unrealistic for most parents to think they have the necessary skills or contacts to navigate the multi-billion dollar entertainment industry effectively for their child," as being a good and attentive mother is what's most important.

Dorn cited actress Brittany Snow's momager Cinda Snow, a veteran actress herself, as being a case of an excellent momager.

"Cinda was a momager to her daughter throughout her childhood career, and is now manager for other children," she said. "She is a very classy, educated and poised woman who not only took her parenting role very seriously, as evidenced by Brittany's demeanor, but who also navigated a successful career for Brittany. Her adult career is officially in the hands of others now, but she owes her foundation to her mother."

Click here to watch the Fox News report on industry experts on momagers.

Do you think being a momager is okay, or should moms just be moms? Tell us your opinion in the comments!