Post by kkornek on Mar 1, 2009 22:57:14 GMT -5
Kay Kornek
March 1, 2009
English 2
Period 3
Three out of four girls from ages 12-17 said their favorite television shows were reality shows. Teenagers are becoming more and more consumed by reality television. Reality television is a genre of television that entails the filming of “real-life” people in a situation or game. Almost every network has been adding reality shows into their empty time slots. It is hard to avoid turning on a reality show before quickly being drawn into it, especially for teens. These programs promote bad deeds, reward risk-taking behavior, and can affect teenager’s self-esteem.
Risk-taking behavior is also promoted in reality television. Shows like Fear Factor and Survivor have contestants engage in dangerous competition to achieve an award. In these shows, competitors are forced to eat strange parts of an animal’s body or sit in a tub of snakes. The consequences or dangers of these activities are rarely shown. The stunts look safe, so impressionable teenagers may try to replicate the activities and hurt themselves or others.
Some of reality television programs are scripted to increase the viewer’s enjoyment. Teenagers are not made aware of this. They watch shows like MTV’s Real World or VH1’s Rock of Love and assume that alcohol abuse, casual sex, and bad language are cool and okay things to do. In 2002-2003 it was recorded that there were 4.3 instances of sexual content per hour of reality television. These programs also promote behavior such as backstabbing, betrayal, and scheming. Teenagers see this behavior on their favorite television shows and want to include it in their life.
Reality programs also portray an importance to be in shape and beautiful. These images can affect teenagers’ self-esteem and acceptance issues. The media plays a huge role in the cause of diseases like anorexia and bulimia. Reality television puts more pressure on teens to look like the “real” people on the television.
Reality television has negative affects on teenagers. Reality programs should have a warning before the show begins. Networks should cut back on their reality shows. They should not air as much reality television as they do. Parents should also not let their children watch as many reality shows. It sets a bad example and teenagers are very impressionable.
March 1, 2009
English 2
Period 3
Three out of four girls from ages 12-17 said their favorite television shows were reality shows. Teenagers are becoming more and more consumed by reality television. Reality television is a genre of television that entails the filming of “real-life” people in a situation or game. Almost every network has been adding reality shows into their empty time slots. It is hard to avoid turning on a reality show before quickly being drawn into it, especially for teens. These programs promote bad deeds, reward risk-taking behavior, and can affect teenager’s self-esteem.
Risk-taking behavior is also promoted in reality television. Shows like Fear Factor and Survivor have contestants engage in dangerous competition to achieve an award. In these shows, competitors are forced to eat strange parts of an animal’s body or sit in a tub of snakes. The consequences or dangers of these activities are rarely shown. The stunts look safe, so impressionable teenagers may try to replicate the activities and hurt themselves or others.
Some of reality television programs are scripted to increase the viewer’s enjoyment. Teenagers are not made aware of this. They watch shows like MTV’s Real World or VH1’s Rock of Love and assume that alcohol abuse, casual sex, and bad language are cool and okay things to do. In 2002-2003 it was recorded that there were 4.3 instances of sexual content per hour of reality television. These programs also promote behavior such as backstabbing, betrayal, and scheming. Teenagers see this behavior on their favorite television shows and want to include it in their life.
Reality programs also portray an importance to be in shape and beautiful. These images can affect teenagers’ self-esteem and acceptance issues. The media plays a huge role in the cause of diseases like anorexia and bulimia. Reality television puts more pressure on teens to look like the “real” people on the television.
Reality television has negative affects on teenagers. Reality programs should have a warning before the show begins. Networks should cut back on their reality shows. They should not air as much reality television as they do. Parents should also not let their children watch as many reality shows. It sets a bad example and teenagers are very impressionable.
