By Kaylan Kha
Editor in Chief
From episodes of Gordon Ramsay screaming insults at amateur chefs to Kim Kardashian crying over her lost earring, reality television has become an integral part of American culture—shaping and influencing the way people act. Yet, the violence and lack of authenticity in these shows provide the public with a false sense of reality. As reality shows continue to promote unethical behavior, Americans begin to normalize it and lose sight of the line between right and wrong.
A study conducted by Syracuse University showed that people are prone to accepting and imitating what they view on television. According to OnePoll, 42 percent of 25 to 34 year olds believed that reality shows were, in fact, real. Evidently, many Americans fail to realize that these shows are heavily contrived to create conflict.
Programs like “Big Brother,” “The Bachelor,” and “Cutthroat Kitchen” promote the idea of competition and social aggression. With shows of this nature, competitors tend to attack others and start arguments in hopes of improving their own standing and winning in the end.
Actions like these, when labeled as “reality,” are cultivating an environment where said actions are tolerated. The Girl Scout Research Institute in 2011 surveyed 1,000 teenage girls and learned that those who watched reality shows were more likely to expect bullying and drama to occur in their own lives. The survey also showed that 78 percent of viewers, compared to 54 percent of non-viewers, believed gossiping was a common factor in relationships.
Not to mention that in today’s capitalistic society, reality television has glorified the concept of materialism. With “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” viewers are conditioned into believing that status and wealth equate to worth. Their lavish lifestyle is projected on national television and by doing so, people tend to idolize them.
Auckland University psychology professor Danny Osborne stated that, “By looking at the Kardashians’ house, [audiences] think [that they will] be able to attain that. It actually undermines [a] group’s interests and further perpetuates inequality.”
It is highly unlikely that reality television will change its course and depict real-life events. The truth is this: reality does not sell. These shows are an escape—a fantasy that allows viewers to immerse themselves in a narrative where their lives are significantly better than those on television.
In order for America to regain its sense of morality, audiences must be able to distance themselves from these shows. Viewers need to recognize and understand that reality television is crafted for entertainment—the lessons and behaviors on the show are not meant to be replicated. At the same time, part of the responsibility can be attributed to television producers, who have a duty to ensure that there is still a level of truth and authenticity to the programs.
Reality television has been the answer to society’s need for entertainment for years. Unfortunately, it seems as if the public is constantly drawn to it because of its toxic climate—one that fosters drama and unprincipled practices. With that, the definition of morality has changed from recognizing right from wrong to accepting wrong as right.
