5 Reasons We Should Stop Idolizing Reality TV Shows | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

5 Reasons We Should Stop Idolizing Reality TV Shows

We shouldn't be glamorizing these people and ideals.

1.8k
5 Reasons We Should Stop Idolizing Reality TV Shows
Connor Lounsbury

I can’t say that many reality television shows aren’t entertaining, because they are. However, the values that are taught are not normal or what we should be striving for in our everyday lives. It’s not something we should look up to or admire. The genre of reality TV shows is supposed to rely on the fact that these are normal people living normal lives. However, these people literally are chosen for these shows because they are unstable, dramatic and not normal whatsoever. Here are five reasons why we should refrain from glamorizing the ideals and people from these types of shows.

1. It is not actually real.

What you see on these reality t.v. shows is not actually reality. There are writers who create situations and plot lines as well as creating conflict throughout the show. They also take different clips from different places and put them together, changing the whole meaning, to create incidents that will make the show more interesting. They can make sentences from scratch and manipulate all footage to make it more “interesting.” I wouldn’t say anything about this is real. It is all done in hopes for more views, more money, etc. Reality TV has a huge impact on the way people, mostly young girls, view and deal with real-life situations.

2. It teaches wrong values.

We are taught in these shows to act a certain way; unfriendly, bullying, exclusion, and manipulation. After watching these shows, some people especially any kids who watch them, think its normal to have unhealthy and dramatic relationships in their lives but in reality, those ideals only tend to make life worse. The individuals on these shows display that their lives are more exciting than others. They go out to clubs, party, and have luxurious lifestyles. These things are now all seen as an idealistic way of life that is unattainable for many people. Research has found that reality TV shows have much more of an effect on people than one would expect. The values and ideals portrayed in these shows greatly impact the culture of today and can really modify the way people think and live their lives.

3. Promotes Bad Behavior and Encourages Drama

It promotes manipulating people and treating others in ways that shouldn’t be normal in today’s society. But because of these examples, people tend to follow them, many times because it’s someone that they look up to. The basis of these shows is atrocious behavior that shows glamorize just so they can provide entertainment. Furthermore, this is how society is degraded; by encouraging cruel, selfish, and negative behavior that we now have began to accept as a societal norm. Drama is the main factor in most of these shows. People are always in arguments about things that could easily be solved, or are accusing others for a number of reasons.

4. Encourages Unhealthy or Fake Relationships

Many parts of these shows deal with relationships and give us a perception of how they’re “supposed” to be. Relationships in these shows are usually based off of fame or money, and a lot of the time aren’t actual relationships, it is solely for the show. People on these shows fall in and out of love in a matter of minutes or days and nothing about pursuing that type of relationship should be considered normal or healthy in any way. Sharing boyfriends/girlfriends and switching every other day within the same group of friends has also been a major part of the plot within these shows. Rushing into relationships like this may seem to make things “passionate” and “heated” but in most cases, should be considered unhealthy. Constant hook-ups are also seen as normal and happen so often, and therefore might appeal to the many people watching and that has become a huge part of culture today when it shouldn’t be.

5. Changes standards of beauty

Girls will change everything about themselves just so they can be like someone else who they believe is someone they should look up to. I can’t name the number of girls who look up to Kylie Jenner because of her looks, most of which are actually fake aspects. Television stars and celebrities spend a huge amount of time perfecting their appearance which can give teenage girls a false perception of what they should look like. The rates of cosmetic surgery are on the rise, increasing 70 percent in the last decade, and reality TV is to blame for this trend. Many teenage girls will go to extremes, like disordered eating, to achieve something that is seen as “perfect.” People should not have to change so many things about themselves to achieve something that is “desired” by society. The most important thing should be being yourself and not changing for anyone.

"You were born to be real, not to be perfect."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

2078
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less
Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.
Jenna Pizzi

There is always a time in the semester when you have about three papers, four tests, five assignments and two projects due within the same time period. Isn't that just the best?

It's almost as if the professors all plot against you just to make college even more stressful than it already is. No matter how many people try to make you feel better, no one ever compares to your mom. Moms always know exactly what to say.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Jobs Your Roommate Has

She's got your back with everything that college throws at you.

1973
Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.

If you are anything like my roommate and I, you have a friendship with your roomie. You’re lucky to have gotten a roommate that is easy to get along with and more importantly cool to live with. Whether you found her on Facebook or went random, a roommate is a big part of life in college. This list goes through some of the jobs that a roommate has that help you get through college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

35 Things I Wish I Learned In My Freshman Year Of College

Just some relatable college student advice! Yes, you aren’t the only one!

1616
Towson University
YouTube

Freshman year can either be the greatest year, or the roughest year. It depends on your transition and how you adjust. For me, freshman year in college was one of the best years of my life. However, looking back, there are a few things that I wish I learned.

Now that I am a sophomore, I can finally do things a little differently. Here are a few things that I wish I learned my freshman year of college!

Keep Reading...Show less
Woman in field with a red heart-shaped balloon under a colorful sky.

Being single can be great and awful at the same time. Yeah, it's awesome to have time to yourself to figure out who you are and make your own decisions. It would also be nice to have someone to go through life with, but it needs to be the right person. I haven't found that person yet and here's a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments