CommunicationIssues
MediaIssuesAnalysis
Doneby:
ChyePingXuan(S10157040A)
LeoYunXuanRebecca(S10161597G)
NadhirahArifin(S10159750J)
KyraPatriciaTayer(S10157482E)
Tutorialclass:
T210
Realitytelevisionhas
madeamockeryofreality.
Once upon a time, reality television was an acclaimed combination of the ordinary person thrust into
everydaysituationsandthescrutiny of hidden [Link], ittooktheentertainmentindustryby
storm,engendering aburgeonof more of its kind. Today, realitytelevisionhas beenplacedamongsttop
rated television showsandcontributes ahuge [Link],onemay wonder
if reality television has evolved fromitsinitialconception of beinga documentation ofwhat isrealand
trueoutside of the television screen, toa misrepresentation orperhaps evensimulationofrealsituations.
This essay aims to explore the possibility of this idea in three major issues:howreality TVaffectsthe
psychology of viewers about the weight loss process, warps perceptions of romantic relationships and
affectstheaccuracyofteenagepregnancyrepresentations.
In the modernworld,anincreasingobsessionwiththeskindeepappearanceisrapidlybecomingevident,
spurredbythe onslaught ofmedia messageshammeringthisverynotionintoviewers(Levy130).Despite
thedictumofnot judging abookbyitscover,manyemployfashion,accessoriesandmakeuptoadhereto
anidealisedbodystandardandimage(Gay107).
Similarly, reality TV perpetuates the need to modify oneself in order to attain an ideal body image.
Appearance and appearancemodifying shows like
Americas Next Top Model, The Swan
and
Extreme
Makeover
arequicktoproclaimarelationshipbetweenidealisedbeautyandsuccess(VanRys
etal.157).
In fact, participants on popular weightloss programme,
The Biggest Loser
, have admitted to feeling
lessthancomplete human beings, owing to the fact that their bodies do notmakethecut for whatis
conventionally defined as beautiful (HoechsmannandPoyntz70).Theshow featurestwelveoverweight
competitors, each vying for the grand monetaryprize,whichis awardedto the individualwholoses the
highestpercentageofhisinitialweight(69),inabidtoattainanidealbody.
Ontheonehand, theshowdoesreflect realityinthatitportrayspeoplewithreallifeproblemsthataffect
theirbodies,predominantly,[Link] is arealissueintodayssociety(Hillier64)
thatisknownto
increasetherisksofa spectrumof chronicillnesses(TownsendandScriven48).Theshowacknowledges
and recognises the risks of obesity and encourages dealing with it through weight loss. Regardless of
whether viewers agree with the programmes message, it brings attention to health issues and obesity
(Hillier 64). These are realproblemsinsocietythatare [Link] to
havea body withinacceptableweightrange tocombathealthissueslike obesity, portrayalsbyrealityTV
concur
withscientificevidencethatprovesthatunhealthy diets and alack of exercise are leading causes
of obesity (Keller270).Assuch,these showsdoreflectthecurrentsociety,ratherthanmakingamockery
ofit.
On the otherhand,Cruise arguesthatthe speedy weightlossexperiencedby contestants on
TheBiggest
Loser does not reflect actual healthy weight loss (186). Health experts agree, suggesting thattherapid
weightlosspublicisedonthe showmayactuallyberisky(Murphy84)insteadofthehealthyweight loss
the programme is supposed to present and encourage. In the real world, weight loss is very much
dependent on rest and nutritious meals, instead of the starvation and exhaustion portrayed in theshow
(Cruise186).
Thisiswhere
TheBiggestLoser
,asa realityshow,mocksreality,asnoteverybodywouldbeabletolose
a significant amount of weight in the short amount of time the show assigns to their contestants.
According to Cruise, the excessive rate of the contestants weight loss is actually the result of them
literally breaking their bodies down and is not representative of normal healthy and effectiveweight
lossin real life(186). Itwouldthus bedifficult toreplicateandachieve,especiallysoasviewersathome
wouldnot be so lucky
asto be guided bypersonaltrainers,ortobeinanenvironmentthatforcesthemto
comply strictly to their weight loss regime.
Most people would also not have the timethatcontestants
dedicateto ontheshow, toexerciseandimplementthe showsstrategies inreallife (186187)toattain
the weight loss publicised by the show.
It isalso worth tonote that weightlossin the real world isnot
confined toatimeconstraintasonedoesnothavetoloseacertainamountofweightwithinacertaintime
frametoattainhealthiness.
Regardless of the showsaccuracy,repeated exposure toaperceptioncreatedbyrealityTVdoesresultin
anadoption of it (NabiandOliver 431),accordingto the
cultivationtheory
. With theincreaseofshows
focusing on appearance, ifonedoesntfitintotheconventions ideaofattractiveness, he should modify
himselfcouldbethereasonforsocietysburgeoningobsessionwithanidealisedbodyimage.
Aside from body image, reality TV can leave an indelible mark on the way romanticrelationshipsare
seen. With past research suggesting that managing physical and emotional intimacy with others is the
fundamental developmental task for adolescentsandyoungadults(qtdinZurbriggen andMorgan1),itis
important to explore how reality TV has affected the representation and perception of romantic
relationships.
The experience of dating and being involved in a romantic relationship is now tweaked to provide
dramatic and heightenedentertainment [Link] viewof realityand exaggeratedfocus
onconflictisknownas
dramatisation
(Yapetal.198).
Reality dating shows like
The Bachelor
adopt a gameshow format that perpetuate and dramatise the
romantic, yet ruthless measures one should take if he or she is to find and keep a romantic partner
(Galician and Merskin 261 A. Lluch and E. Lluch 9). Now, because of reality dating shows like
The
Bachelor
, dating and the quest for a romantic partner is perceived to be akin to a competitive sport
(Browne15).
To capturetheattentionandheartofsomebody,onemustbestrategicandwinanycompetitionthatcomes
[Link]
The Bachelor
, 25 women competeforthegrand prize:theheartandproposal froma single
eligible bachelor. Across 6 weeks, the women try their best toimpress and court him inordertoavoid
[Link],whiletheeliminated
women aredramatised as patheticlosers withnoluckinloveandromance(GalicianandMerskin264).
Because of the strict time constraint of 6 weeks and the ultimate end goal of the formation of a
relationship or marriage,
The Bachelorisreminiscentof asportingevent (280). Realityshowslikethese
perpetuate the idea that getting involved in a romantic relationship would imply rules, strategies and
injuries just like any other competitive sport (Snell 168). Only by claiming victory in an ostensible
game,willtheyfinallybeallowedtobeinarelationship.
Cultivating the idea that a romantic partner is an award for hard work degrades and mocks the
relationships that are ofa voluntary, mutualeffortdoneoutofbothpartiesfreewill(McGruder 64).In
reality, there are relationships triggered by mutual commitment borne of mutuallove(67), insteadofa
competition between vastly different individuals, each vying for some sort of benefit tied to the
relationship.
Furthermore, shows like
The Bachelor
and
Married at First Sight
mock reality by accelerating the
duration of courtship and simplifying it to a mere game.
Married at First Sight
features matchmade
couples who wed uponmeetingeachotherat the altar,and are givena monthtodecide whether tostay
married, or get a divorce. Inordertoexperience ahealthyrelationship,there should be constantmutual
study of each others behaviours, likes and dislikes and the partners intimate interior (McGruder 64).
Whilepossible, the 6week ormonthlong periodthatthesereality showsallowforcontestants tofallin
loveseemto begravelyinsufficient,especiallysowheninreality,itistimethathelpstoproducegrowth
and maturity in peoples lives qualities that are important when one is ina seriousrelationshipand
even more so, the lifelong commitment of marriage (Adams 23). These reality shows mock reality by
putting individuals in unnatural situations whereby they would have to prove their love within a time
constraint,whereinreality,thereshouldhavebeennoneatall.
Despiteitspitfalls,datingandrelationshipreality showsareabletoappealtosocietyastheyinterestingly
reflect societys natural urge [Link],realityTVdoesnotmock,butin
fact reflects the actual actions that societywouldbe preparedto take inorderto fulfilltheir desire fora
romantic, sexual partner (Galician and Merskin 304). This is evident from how almost 1,000 women
responded tothe castingcall for the firstseasonof
TheBachelor
, willingly agreeingto competewith24
other women for achance tofind andmarrytheir otherhalf(qtd.inGalicianandMerskin304).In spite
of the dramatised setup
and negative connotations towards the standardofrelationships,
TheBachelor
and its success reminds us that the quest for love and acceptance is universal (Friedman).Similarly,
Married at First Sight
is reminiscent of the rise of popular dating websites and services in the 21st
century. Peoples need of wanting a romantic match is fulfilled when they voluntarily fill up a
questionnaire and allowthemselvesto beassigned apartner after deliberate siftingandmatchmaking by
expertsinthefield.
Moving on, reality TV can either distort or promote understanding of what teenagers go through.
However,one showinparticularmanagestodoboth:MTVs
16andPregnant.
Realityshowscaneducate
viewers by shedding light on common issues thatteenagers gothrough.
16andPregnant,in particular,
showsthe plightofteen [Link]
programmeaddressesproblemsfacedbyunderagedmotherssuchasfinancialstrainanddomesticabuse.
For example, in the first episode of
16 and Pregnant
, 16 year old Maci Bookout struggles with her
boyfriends apathetic attitude towards her hardships of being a new mother. In the real world, young
couplessaddledwithababymightgothroughthesamesituation.
The reality of ramificationstaking its tollon relationships and teenmomsthemselvesisthuseffectively
conveyed through the show, so much so that a newstudy discoveredthattheshowactually becamean
effective birthcontrol method byservingasaprecautionarytaletogirls(KearneyandLevine).According
to the study, the show had a direct role in lowering birth rates by 5.7% in the months following the
programmes first telecast launch in 2009. Perhaps this is a result ofthe
HypodermicNeedle Theory
,
whereby since the media is so powerful, members of the audience are injected with values, ideas and
attitudes (
Fourie 232)
that they adopt. The show manages to get across the message that teenage
pregnancy,inreality, isnota smooth sailing ride (KearneyandLevine). Hence, byviewing theseshows
and beingbestowedwith theidea that oneshouldavoidteenagepregnancies,viewerswillthen,similarly,
try toavoid [Link] is thusable to educateyoungladiesofrealconsequencesof
teenagepregnancyby depictingthepossiblescenariothatwould arisefrom the [Link],it
accuratelyrepresentsproblemswithteenagepregnancyinreality.
Nevertheless, althoughitcan bearguedthattheshowdoes raise awareness aboutteenagepregnancyand
reinforces the importance of contraceptivemeasureswhichapply inreallife,
dramatisation
,asdefined
earlier,[Link],itdoesnotpaintanaccuratepictureofteenagepregnancy.
According to
RH Reality Check
, a daily publication that focuses on reporting news about sexual,
reproductive health and justice issues, there is almost a formulaic way in which families castedfor the
showarechosen inorderto bring abouttheconflict that wouldsell the show (Seltzer). Forexample,the
episodes recurringly feature cast members suffering emotional meltdowns, dramatic breakups,
dysfunctional family problems, just to name a few. This
dramatised
,
formulaic episodic storyline and
casting undermines and perpetuates the perception that all teenage mothers are unable to handle the
stresses that come with being a young mum, eventually succumbing to extreme emotional or physical
stress. Thus, this engenderstheidea thatallteenagedgirlswho getpregnantwillbeplaguedwithsimilar
issues. However, this does not apply to everyone. There are girls such as those seen on MTVs other
reality show,
MySuperSweet Sixteen
, who haveenoughmoneytocombatthe issues facedbythosein
16
and Pregnant
(Seltzer). Hence, the portrayal that all teenaged girls who have a child will sufferisnot
representativeoftheentirepopulationofgirls.
As such,
16 and Pregnant creates celebrity" mothers who become figures of mockery for itsviewers
who, in turn, pride themselves for being wise enough not to end up like the people on the TV screen
(Seltzer).Intheend,theseyoungmothersarethereforeseenportrayedasbadrolemodelsforteenagers.
Furthermore, not a single episodeon
16 and Pregnantaddressedthe controversialtopic of abortion that
teen couples inreal lifeseriouslyconsideruponfinding outthata [Link]
an increasingly valid issue in society today. In fact, if thecurrent rate ofabortion persists,everythird
woman in the United States will havehadat least oneabortion beforemenopause(GrimesandBrandon
90). Thehighestabortionratiointhecountryisattributedtoyoungteensafterwhich,itdeclinesatage30
to 34 years (92). Pregnant teens, just like those on
16 and Pregnant are most likelytouseabortion to
combat teen pregnancy. However, thisisnot depictedonthe show andthatis precisely why itdoes not
fullyrepresentrealitytheconsequencesofbeingateenmother.
ThroughexaminationofrealityTVanditsimpactonaudiences,itwouldseemthatinstancesofrealityTV
misrepresenting reality far outweigh its accurate portrayals. Even though ideas for reality shows are
largelyinspiredbyreal lifehappenings, thecontent broadcasted isstillmodifiedtosuitthepurposeofthe
show. Ultimately, the goal of the mediaisto entertain, informand generateprofits,resultingin content
thatinaccuratelyportraysociety (HoechsmannandPoyntz68).Evidence asdiscussedfromaboveshows
that reality TV has blurred the lines between fact and fiction, bending the truth such that it remains
recognisablebutfartooexaggeratedtobereal(Kavka49).As such,itisonlysensible to viewtelevised
content with agrainofsalt,instead ofreadily acceptingitasreality without asecond [Link],it
canbeconcludedthatrealityTVmakesamockeryofreality.
(2493words)
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