Reality TV Shows Young Girls

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Recommended: Reality television programs have an impact on people

Literature Review

Over the years, reality television programs have taken over our television screens. Shows such as Big Brother, Jersey Shore and Keeping Up With The Kardashians are being viewed by millions world wide; especially by the youth of today. This has created concern for teenagers between 13 and 19, and how they are confronted with different types of TV personalities

All research found are fairly recent and have been published between 2007 and 2012.

The article “What Reality TV Teaches Young Girls” which was published on Time.com by Meredith Melnick on 18 October 2011 depicts the different aspects of what viewers perceive to be real and scripted. Melnick has directed her research from a survey conducted by the Girl Scouts, which indicates the different aspects, reflected in reality television.

Melnick continues to write how reality television is portrayed as “real and unscripted”. The survey conducted provides an outlook on teens of many ages and how they are exposed to all types of reality TV shows. As 13-19 years olds have access to the most media, it has become apart of their everyday living because of the television that they consume.

The Girl Scouts surveyed more than 1,100 girls around the United States and found significant differences between those who watch reality TV on a regular basis and those who don’t.

The results showed that: 75% of girls believe the programs reflect reality, whilst 50% say that real-life shows are “mainly real and unscripted”, 86% of girls of girls think girls are put against one another for entertainment, 70% believe it’s okay to treat others badly; and 86% believe fighting is a normal part of a romantic relationship.

It is evident that the survey participants were conscious ...

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... positive comments from some ‘fans’, but evidently so, claimed the negative ones stuck with her the most. Smyth said at first the comments and abuse were easy to ignore post-show as she was constantly making television and event appearances, but, when all that died down and she was home by herself, it made her feel ‘shitty’.

The blog post written by Tully Smyth is evidently showcasing that reality TV does affect and influence the way young people act. Writing abusive, death threats or general derogative comments based on the actions of someone else is not a common practice.

In conclusion, the articles depict that there is a widespread concern on how reality television has impacted our youth today. Through statistics, opinions and first hand experience, all research pieces state there are significant issues on how viewers interpret and act upon storylines.

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