Reality TV And Its Dangerous Stereotypes

By: Riley Israel 

In the modern age, almost everyone has a television and watches it frequently. A recent study done by Nielsen, a data collection company, showed that 95.9% of American households have at least one television. Of these people, almost all of them watch reality television. According to jobmonkey.com, 50% of television owners tune in to watch the auditions for the reality TV show, American Idol. Other popular reality TV shows are Survivor, The Biggest Loser, Top Chef, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and Amazing Race. All of these shows have stereotypes that the producers look for while casting.

For example, in the Amazing Race contestants must participate as teams of two. CBS says that they wish that the relationships are "relatable." This implies that all polyamorous relationships(relationships of three or more people), or gay/lesbian relationships aren't "relatable" nor acceptable to be on their show. When kids watch this show, they don't get exposed to polyamorous relationships and could/may think of them as weird or different as they get older. Which could likely lead to hostility towards these types of relationships seeing as though they will not be used to it. 

Also, in the show American Idol participants must be between 16 and 30 years of age. This means that they aren't letting the older community participate. This teaches kids from a young age that once they get older they can't achieve their dreams. Most Americans don't fulfill their dreams before they die or much later in life and one of the leading causes is thinking it was an "out of reach."

Lastly, the show Keeping Up With The Kardashians follows the world famous Kardashian-Jenner family. The women on this show have very specific body types. They promote their bodies as what is right and what looks best. Many of these sisters endorse dietary shakes or other dietary methods to get the "perfect" body. When little girls and women see this on televisions across America they think that they have to look like that or do those things, which for some girls means serious weight loss or gain that could lead to eating disorders. A problem that's already big enough in today's society. The show also gives little boys the impression that all women should look like that and are only pretty if they do. Yet the truth of the matter is, everyone is beautiful no matter the way they look like and they shouldn't feel the need to change themselves to conform to social standards. Everyone should wear their skin with pride.

These shows are dangerous for the acceptance of Americans. They aren't open to different types of relationships, are crushing little kid's dreams, and are indirectly body shaming little girls and women alike. So, the next time you're flipping through the channels on your TV, stop and wonder what the producers are making you think is right and what they are implying is wrong. Chances are, it's nothing but stereotypes.