The Decline in Morality in Reality Television

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Recommended: Children being influenced by television

Partying, inappropriate behavior, and even sometimes illegal activity sadly describe what many people view as entertainment today. It is known as reality television. Reality television has been around for a while, but has changed tremendously. The first “reality” shows were considered good and wholesome for the entire family. Now, many of these shows are not appropriate for children. Even though reality television may seem to be harmless, it has created a culture where people are encouraged to be impolite, dangerous, and lazy.
The “reality television” genre has existed almost as long as television itself. One of the first reality shows, Candid Camera, aired over six decades ago (DiLascio 1). This show was simple and innocent. It was unlike most reality television today; it was true “reality.” Now, this type of television has distorted reality for the viewers and participants. Many of these types of shows are scripted or planned by producers. Even some of these “so called stars” are given props to use. On most reality television shows the women have perfect hair, makeup, and clothes as well as the men.
Usually on reality shows, life is made to look easy. Often times dinner, laundry, and the household chores are all taken care of for the reality stars. This is not a luxury that most people have. These shows also make love look easy. For example, on the competitive reality show, The Bachelor, one man is supposed to find the love of his life through dating twenty-five women in only six weeks. These dates are not typical. The bachelor and the women go on extravagant dates all around the world as if they are living in a dream. Also, in real life, marriage is not a required end result of dating for only six weeks. M...

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...vision Programs Are Becoming More Harmful.” Points of View: Reality Television Programs (2013): 3. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. .
“Getting Sick of reality TV? New survey confirms that it can be bad for your health.” Mail Online. n.p, 14 Apr. 2010. Web. 29 Oct.
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“Is Reality TV Messing With Your Head?.” Scholastic Choices 28.3 (2012): 12. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. spx>. Medved, Michael. Interview by Paul Begala. CNN.com. n.p, n.d. Web. 26 Oct.2013
Melnick, Meredith. “What Reality TV Teaches Teen Girls. “TIME Health and Family. n.p, 18 Oct. 2011. Web. 29 Oct. 2013. .
Poniewozik, James. “What’s Right With Reality TV.” Time 175.7 (2010): 92. MaterFILE Premier. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. .

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