In recent years there has been a surge in the popularity of reality television. Shows such as Teen Mom, The Jersey Shore, The Bachelor and Real World have dominated the broadcast airwaves. As these shows become increasingly popular; we must question their influence on the minds of our youth. The strong fascination that the young American culture has with reality television can negatively affect their lives by glorifying immoral behavior. In this research, I will use the combination method of qualitative and quantitative analysis to show how reality television is influencing our youth to accept immoral behavior. In addition, using these methods to explore the outcomes that result from watching reality television.
Since 1990s, reality television has made an impact in our culture with its unique style of programming. Reality television is a genre of television programming invented in the early 1990s with the first reality show, MTV’s The Real World. Reality television is a type of programming genre that documents life stories and situations that occur in the lives of a certain group. This genre also consists of different subgenres such as documentaries, dating, competition, renovation and hidden camera. Each unique subgenre is created to target all different types of viewers. Although each subgenre is unique, they all are similar such as displaying an unlimited amount of improper behavior.
There are key characteristics that define reality television. One of the key features is unscripted programming with unprofessional actors. According to a majority of reality shows producers, they claim their show is unscripted because participants are under surveillance twenty-four hours, seven days a week. Another characteristic is the ...
... middle of paper ...
...ter high school and college, they become exposed to parties that consist of alcohol, drugs and sex. Many began watching reality television to mimic the party antics they see because they consider it “cool”. It is also cool to them because the individuals on these shows are people their ages. Respondents from the survey explained that our youth learn how to drink and what to drink from watching reality television. They also learn how to develop bad behaviors such as rude manners, foul language, and out of control conduct. Lastly, a major concern pointed out by the respondents was teenagers and college students can learn sexual misconduct. This is dangerous because unsafe sex practices can result to sexual transmitted diseases. Overall, the temptation of our youth’s surroundings does not stay in control while they are exposed to improper behavior seen on reality shows.
In the Time’s article, “Why Reality TV Is Good for Us,” author James Poniewozik discusses the rapid growth of reality television shows, as well as their recent popularity and success. According to Poniewozik, reality shows involve a huge chunk of the entertainment industry that succeeds because of their audiences’ astonishment and disgust regarding the exaggerated events that take place on the shows (Poniewozik)
As the fictitious character of Katniss Everdeen captured the 21st century audience, so does the viewer of American reality television. Taken into account the influences of American reality shows, there’s just so much a parent can monitor children’s TV viewing. It’s a given fact that the young mimics the adults and as such, if these reality icons influence a supposedly mature adult, how much more of youngsters? In as much as I want to argue that it all depends on one’s moral standards, it seems to be apparent that the influence of today’s American reality TV may be perceived as psychologically destructive. Hence, may one day contradict a supposedly civilized society governed by standards of right and
The way that reality TV portrays reality is completely misleading. It is giving the public what they want in a very unethical way, by completely lying about how they reach a “truth”. The people behind the scenes of reality have found a way to perfectly edit everything that the public sees so it keeps only the “juicy stuff” (Crouch pg 1). Often times, producers of competition shows will step in if the plan was to eliminate someone that is good for ratings (Crouch pg 4). Building shows often lie about needed skills, prices and the amount of time it takes for projects (Crouch pg 5). Anytime that shows have “big surprises” it is almost entirely staged because there’s such a complicated process needed for dramatic shots and lighting ...
Reality based television has a broad landscape ranging from competitive game-like shows to programs following the daily lives of a group of people. Every major network now has some form of reality programming because these programs are high in viewership and require low costs for production. The genre’s shows provide audiences with a first-hand look into the lives of everyday people, which creates resonance among viewers because they feel like they can relate to the characters on screen (Hasinoff, 2008). Since the majority of modern reality stars start out as unknowns, frequent viewers of reality television have essentially bought into the belief that they too can achieve overnight fame by appearing on a popular show (Mendible, 2004). According to Mendible’s evaluation i...
In today 's society, television is one of the greatest entertainment, and currently reality televisions have become the most commonly watched television programs. Reality tv, beside being entertaining , it has effected society in a negative
Although reality TV has the word “real” in the title, most reality television shows are few and far between when it comes to the truth of what actually happened. In a survey taken, people were asked about their age, gender, favorite reality TV show, and if they were religious or not. Through the survey much was revealed about the demographics about male and females between the age of 18 and 28 who mostly attend NJC. Most of the people surveyed attend Northeastern Junior College, a school with a conservative background, which plays a role in what reality TV shows they watched.
Reality Television has changed television in a way that no one could have imagined. Being the one of the most talked about genre in history, it is seen by millions of viewers. It has more ratings than any other kind of show (Breyer 16). From its start, there have been many Reality Television shows. Shows like The Real World, Survivor, Big Brother, and Jersey Shore. All of these give off a negative portrayal of reality. While Americans watch these shows, it seems that the show is real life, but in reality, no pun intended, before the show is even filmed, it’s written, edited, and produced (Breyer 21). Writers humiliate and degrade people just for the plot of the show, making their private lives public (Breyer 16).
How does reality show celebrity affect the young generation? In the modern life, media always play a significant role in influencing the popular culture and people's behavior. Recently, the new pop culture is reality television appeared and made the change. These shows have a strong attractive to a lot of individuals, especially teenagers. There is not any success without the value of money, and reality television so. However, because of the profit, reality television skip the effect to the viewers and create a bad culture to the young generation. Based on many critic and activist, reality has adverse consequences on people, especially young teenagers because distorting how young viewers perceive life, perpetuating harmful racial, gender and other stereotypes, and self-esteem at the teenager.
Profanity and violence are mostly what is involved in reality tv. One advantage of having regulations would be that it would limit violence that can be a bad influence on younger viewers. “After being read arguments on both sides of the issue nearly two-thirds of parents (63%) say they favor new regulations to limit the amount of sex and violence in TV shows during the early evening hours, when children are most likely to be watching (35% are opposed).” (Facts and TV Statistics 2). By watching this kind of program, it encourages people to do what they do because they think that since those people are getting attention by doing that, they will get it too. With that being said, Shannon Kelly writes, “Some worry that if young people look to reality stars as role models, they might imitate the violence committed by the stars.” (Reali...
In this day and age, there isn’t hardly a person who doesn’t watch some form of reality television. Whether it is an adrenaline pumping baking competition, a talent based show with singing and dancing, or the pure entertainment of a day in the life of celebrities most everyone watches some form of reality television. There seems to be a few different sides of reality TV that make it so entertaining for people to watch. There seems to be the shows that lure people in because of the motivational aspect, the drama, or the deep down genuine appearance. However, most people are oblivious to the fact that the screen they are watching isn’t usually what actually happens in real life. James Poniewozik explains the manipulation going on behind the camera
Teens today are directly influenced by the many number of social media, causing subordinate messages that sometimes remain unseen to many. Television is one of the main influences that surround a culture, bombarding teenagers with messages — some good while some bad. Not only does television have the power to inform and entertain, it is also capable of shaping the beliefs and influencing the identities of young adolescent viewers. Television can have negative effects such as greed, superiority, and entitlement that cause corruption within the minds of viewers, as well as in our society.
The creation of television broadcasting changed the way the world interacted, making it one of the most successful and important innovation. The Entertainment industry brought Reality TV to America, changing and evolving along with the changes in society. The concept of Reality TV is to show the struggles of real people or actors without scripts, surprising, and terrifying many of its viewers. The television content has changed over the years reflecting the changes in society; the Reality Shows are becoming more obscene, controversial, and competitive.
...is unrealistic to think that we can shield our children from it. If we do not have internet and TV at home we are certain to make our children feel like outcasts in society for they are unable to join in the conversation with their peers. When they are at their friends’ house, we are unable to control what they watch and hear. Instead, as a society, we must deviate from this obsession with celebrities and their addictions. Parents need to maintain an open line of communication with their children and teens and ensure that they are aware that what they see on TV is for entertainment purposes and should not be replicated for there will be real life consequences. Teenagers are more likely to abstain from drugs, alcohol and tobacco if they are engaged with other activities such as sports, outdoor activities, and a good communication relationship with their parents.
Reality television has changed the world today by encouraging violent behavior, elevate imprudent personalities, and depict woman of their values. Many reality TV shows are driving young kids to be driven by money and fame. Our reality television make us seem ignorant to other countries. Young viewers of these reality TV shows do not realize that most of the shows are often scripted and are not “real”. Although the programming of reality TV can be highly entertaining, it is important to be aware of the messages, and values that these shows often portray. Since reality TV has such a strong foothold in American pop culture, it is likely not going anywhere or changing its content any time
Have you ever wondered why people are so addicted to watching their favorite shows on TV? Have you ever wondered why reality TV is so popular? This paper is an explanation of why large numbers of people watch reality TV shows. Proof and facts will be provided showing that reality TV provides entertainment, inspiration, the stirring of emotions, vicarious living, and a substitute for social life for many who watch. Here are a few examples of these statements.