Does Reality TV Shows Promote Dangerous Stereotypes: Outline
In the 1950s, television became a staple commodity for American households. Today, the average American is estimated to spend two to five hours watching television daily. The notable prominence of television in America’s social fabric attracts debate regarding the influence that exposure to television content imposes on individuals and society. In this regard, the prominence of racial and cultural stereotypes in television content is an area commonly addressed in social discourse. Admittedly, the occurrence of racial and cultural stereotypes in scripted media is commonplace and an almost accepted reality. However, the appearance of stereotypes in reality television, which is ideally representative of real life, raises questions. Despite recent attempts to promote positive values, reality TV predominantly perpetuates dangerous racial and cultural stereotypes.
The current era of television is dominated by television shows that purportedly portray the real lives of the cast. These shows, including The Bachelor, Survivor, the Amazing Race, Jersey Show, and Big Brother, are based on a range of themes that include a combination of competition, talent shows, and romantic relationships have become increasingly common. Granted, the authenticity of these shows in terms of being impromptu or unscripted productions has often been called into question. Over time, it has become common knowledge that reality television shows are indeed often subject to the manipulation of the producers during various stages of production. Subsequently, the themes in reality shows lack a connection with real life.
Notably, the legitimacy of themes presented in reality shows has little to do with the current discourse on stereotypes. Indeed, the authenticity of reality shows has marginal significance to the decision to indulge in the content. For example, research shows that most reality TV show viewers possess an awareness of the altered realities in reality TV shows (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alice_Hall/publication/232885724_Viewers’_Perceptions_of_Reality_Programs/links/56b4fdd808aebbde1a77b9ad/Viewers-Perceptions-of-Reality-Programs.pdf). Participants in the study by (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alice_Hall/publication/232885724_Viewers’_Perceptions_of_Reality_Programs/links/56b4fdd808aebbde1a77b9ad/Viewers-Perceptions-of-Reality-Programs.pdf) pointed out that they were alive to the unique circumstances in the reality shows they watched. For example, when minorities are represented in reality shows, they are compelled to manifest traits that fit into their ethnic group’s established stereotypes. A typical pattern in black reality television is to bring together African American women that play into the stereotype of black women being ill-mannered and foul-mouthed individuals. As such, viewers are often alive to the fact that reality shows are not representative of real life.
Subsequently, exposure to the knowledge that a reality TV show had been subjected to degrees of scripting had little effect on viewership rates. On the contrary, the issue of minority representation carries the greatest weight with regards to stereotyping in reality TV shows.
The underrepresentation of minority groups in reality television shows aids the normalization of minority stereotypes. A recent Hollywood diversity report indicates that despite improvements, minority groups are still significantly underrepresented in all aspects of the film and television industry (https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/UCLA-Hollywood-Diversity-Report-2019-2-21-2019.pdf). Furthermore, even when these groups were represented, they typically filled negative or inferior roles. The smaller numbers of minority groups mean that their characters have a greater representational influence on the audience. The impaired diversity in minority characters then means that the overall view of the minority groups may be misrepresented. Based on the cultivation hypothesis, formulations of reality are as effective as real-life experiences in shaping an understanding of the world (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1077699017706482). For example, when few African Americans appear in reality shows as violent criminals, then it is more likely that an inaccurate racial stereotype may be normalized. In simpler terms, an audience would tend to generalize the traits of a single individual to an entire group.
Cultural stereotyping in reality TV compromises the conception of self-identity and self-capability in minority groups. Stereotyping in reality television negatively impacts how an individual from minority groups views themselves. As noted earlier, Americans spend vast amounts of time watching TV. Research demonstrates that sustained consumption of television cultivates unconscious biases that then ultimately shape behavior (http://mail.immi.se/intercultural/nr26/ramasubramanian.htm). Based on the social identity theory, vicarious experiences shape self-identity, and self-efficacy. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4900900/). As such, audiences that identify with a participant in a reality show may adopt traits similar to those portrayed in reality TV when continuously subjected to a limited number of stereotyped portrayals of the group. Therefore, minority underrepresentation in reality television shows assumes even greater importance when considering the behavioral influences of stereotypes in reality television.
Reality is, no doubt, a leading source of entertainment for a sizeable portion of Americans. However, a question arises as to the role of reality shows in the promotion of dangerous cultural values, especially to young and gullible audiences. Initially, the idea was to test the human response to unusual situations. However, as reality shows became popular and competition increased, producers adopted controversial methods that spruced up the storylines. Part of the reason for interfering with reality TV is to create controversy and increase ratings for the show (http://www.tcnjsignal.net/2019/03/27/reality-tv-promotes-dangerous-stereotypes-students-should-practice-healthy-grieving-methods-march-27-2019-the-signal-page-13-photo-courtesy-of-danielle-silvia-the-events-in-reality-tv-shows-are-of/). Ultimately, reality shows feature themes and behaviors that adversely influence behavior especially in young people and children.
Reality shows distort reality by glamorizing and playing-up drama while ignoring the link between behavior and outcomes. First, most reality shows are out of touch with reality. For example, (http://www.tcnjsignal.net/2019/03/27/reality-tv-promotes-dangerous-stereotypes-students-should-practice-healthy-grieving-methods-march-27-2019-the-signal-page-13-photo-courtesy-of-danielle-silvia-the-events-in-reality-tv-shows-are-of/) recounts an experience with watching the TV reality show “Keeping up with the Kardashians” where one of the participants loses a piece of jewelry worth thousands of dollars. Rather than sympathize with the victim, the other stars in the show are dismayed by what they considered a played-up response to o a slight loss. Notably, an average person would be horrified to lose a piece of personal equipment worth that much money (http://www.tcnjsignal.net/2019/03/27/reality-tv-promotes-dangerous-stereotypes-students-should-practice-healthy-grieving-methods-march-27-2019-the-signal-page-13-photo-courtesy-of-danielle-silvia-the-events-in-reality-tv-shows-are-of/). Another example of the misleading influences of reality television from the reality TV series “Teen Mom.” On the one hand, pregnancy and motherhood are significantly stressful periods for people of all ages. However, the physical and emotional strain manifests significantly more in teenage girls. Research shows that the early transition to parenthood exposes young people to stressors that quickly overload coping mechanisms leading to adverse outcomes such as post-partum depression (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5116254/). Reality shows such as “Teen Mom” overlook these crucial realities by glamorizing the experience of teen pregnancy and teenage parenthood. Arguably, television shows do not portray an accurate picture of real life. While mature audiences may easily recognize this fact and enjoy the show while ignoring the fundamental themes, children may subconsciously learn to adopt harmful behaviors.
Reality shows play a role in reversing gains made in the field of gender equality. Despite claiming to empower women through representation in film, a majority of reality television shows perpetuate stereotypical gender roles. TV reality shows such as The Bachelor, portray a heavily stereotyped picture of the American women. For example, the show focuses primarily on lean individuals and whose physical appearance has been enhanced through artificial procedures such as breast augmentation (https://cultursmag.com/does-reality-tv-encourage-cultural-and-gender-stereotypes/). Furthermore, the show appears to normalize the idea of culturally unrestrained dressing in women. Most importantly, the emotional maturity of women in The Bachelor is questionable. (https://cultursmag.com/does-reality-tv-encourage-cultural-and-gender-stereotypes/) is of the view that women in the show demonstrate emotional immaturity and a lack of ambition beyond the goals of the competitive show. A challenge arises, especially when the content of such shows is presented to young audiences that may not be able to discern the inaccuracies in the representation of women. Therefore, the misrepresentation of women in reality television shows creates the risk of exposing young people to dangerous and misleading beliefs.
While there are few advantages to reality television, these are discounted by its numerous shortcomings. There is some level of consensus on the fact that reality television shows promote diversity while exposing viewers to novel experiences outside of their environment. For example, The Big Brother, a reality show that brings together contestants from different cultural backgrounds, stands out as one of the reality shows that encourage racial and cultural harmony (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jun/28/race.raceintheuk). Proponents of the theory that reality television promotes diversity argue that these shows expose viewers to diverse racial groups that they would otherwise never get to meet in real life. In the course of viewing these shows, the audience gets to see different racial groups in a new light that challenges established stereotypes. For example, the inclusion of racial minorities introduces accurate conceptions of the authentic character of these racial groups (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jun/28/race.raceintheuk). Admittedly, even when reality shows are not a reflection of real life, the storylines presented introduce novel conceptions of racial groups brought to life through characters that radically challenge established views of particular communities.
Furthermore, proponents of reality television shows as drivers of positive social change argue that the relations between participants appear to be driven by forces other than racial or ethnic considerations (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jun/28/race.raceintheuk). Like The Big Brother, The Amazing Race also fits into the category of reality television shows that promote ethnic harmony and cultural understanding. According to (research), The Amazing race succeeds in portraying world cultures in a manner that steers clear of stereotypes (https://cultursmag.com/does-reality-tv-encourage-cultural-and-gender-stereotypes/). The show assumes a mostly educational format that allows audiences to learn about diverse cultural traditions and activities. Second, the role of reality television in exposing viewers to novel experiences cannot be contested. For example, (https://www.dove.com/uk/dove-self-esteem-project/help-for-parents/media-and-celebrities/effects-of-gender-stereotypes.html) notes that young females admit to enjoying reality shows because of the situational diversity involved. For instance, reality shows that chronicle the lives of young women pursuing business in a primarily male society are uniquely engaging.
While there are admittedly benefits to watching reality television, audiences must be compelled to evaluate the accompanying harms critically. The link between reality television and behavioral change is of particular relevance in this regard (https://www.dove.com/uk/dove-self-esteem-project/help-for-parents/media-and-celebrities/effects-of-gender-stereotypes.html). For instance, audiences need to remain attentive to the fact that reality shows rarely ever live up to the identity of being unscripted. As such, the storylines and themes presented in the shows feature an element of fiction and exaggeration. Aligning with the views of behavior patterns portrayed in reality TV may be harmful in the long-run. For example, close to 80% of children aged between 11 and 17 years are reported to believe that reality shows are based on real-life events (https://www.dove.com/uk/dove-self-esteem-project/help-for-parents/media-and-celebrities/effects-of-gender-stereotypes.html). Therefore, the benefits of reality shows fade when subjected to the facts of its manipulative nature.
Most importantly, the benefits of reality come at the cost of gains made in crucial areas of society, such as gender equality. For example, many reality shows endorse the view that women should be measured based entirely on their sexual appeal. Furthermore, these shows create room for the return of archaic female identities, which society has tirelessly worked on eliminating ((https://www.dove.com/uk/dove-self-esteem-project/help-for-parents/media-and-celebrities/effects-of-gender-stereotypes.html)). Indeed, women in reality shows are rarely ever presented as ambitious and hardworking individuals. In the same manner, reality television shows establish racial stereotypes that are otherwise being slowly eradicated. Given the dangers posed by reality television shows to aspects of culture, there is little ground supporting the relevance of these shows to society.
Reality television has, in the recent past, attempted to fill gaps in its portrayal of racial identities and cultural values. However, reality TV shows are still heavy on racial and cultural stereotypes. Today, it is an open secret that reality shows are not exactly a genuine representation of real events. Impliedly, reality show producers manipulate outcomes to increase viewership ratings. Furthermore, a review of the body of knowledge on the topic indicates there are gaps in the industry-wide representation of minorities. As such, there is a risk of misrepresenting the nature of entire minority groups based on the characteristics of a few reality show participants. The adverse impacts of reality television shows are founded on the relationships that form between sustained exposure to television content and the implications of theories such as self-identity and the cultivation hypothesis. Subsequently, the entertainment value of reality television shows is compromised by the risks posed by dangerous racial and cultural values. Most importantly, the adverse effects of reality television are most pronounced in younger audiences who may interpret the content as an authentic representation of real life. These facts present overwhelming support to the need to provide mechanisms to address stereotypes perpetuated in reality shows while at the same time raising awareness of the scripted nature of reality shows.