Reality Television

I have to admit I do have a guilty pleasure when it comes to reality television shows. My list of shows is Hoarders, Dance Mom’s and Sister Wives. There are a few others I watch, but these are the only ones that I watch constantly. I would not say that I am completely hooked on them, but I do enjoy them and look forward to the new episodes. My husband on the other hand, is not a huge fan and avoids watching them with me at all costs. I get the occasional “are we really going to watch this crap again,” or lately his remarks have turned into an annoyed grunt. Of course, that doesn’t stop me from recording them on my DVR and watching them myself.

            I have not given very much thought on whether or not I think reality television is harmful or beneficial to our society up until this point. My overly, opinionated husband, on the other hand, would say that it is the downfall of American society. I think that they can be harmful. Some reality shows may be too uncensored or portray a damaging example, especially to our youth. I defiantly think that as parents we should monitor the type of reality shows our children watch.

For instance, my daughters watch a show called Craft Wars and in my opinion this show is good for them. The show doesn’t have any adult situations and gives them ideas on how to be creative themselves. They also use teamwork and set standards that must be met. The show is structured under a time limit, materials list, and final intent. The contestants are then allowed to design their crafts within these measures. The final result is that the best product moves forward and the worst is given restrictions on the next craft or has to leave the show.

Dance Moms on the other hand is very entertaining but conveys bad behaviors and attitudes that I hope my daughters would never adopt. The mothers in the show have no life other than that of their daughters. They expect their daughters to be the best dancers in the studio and nothing else in life matters. One episode, a mother began throwing a fit as if she were a two year old that was told no for the first time. This was all because her daughter was not allowed to dance at a completion. The daughter then was caught in a screaming match between the owner and the mother. The owner, Abby Lee, uses the daughter as leverage and speaks to her in the middle of the argument, as if she could really form an opinion with her overbearing mother and Abby Lee both needing to be right. This is a show I allow my daughters to watch, but after writing this I may be rethinking it.

Sister Wives is the last show I watch that I do not allow my girls to watch with us. Sister Wives has a lot of adult situations and I do not think it is necessary for them to be exposed to its ideas. I do think there are several reality shows that can be harmful and lead people to think certain activities are ok. But I do think those shows should be watched based on our own moral judgment.

            I know several people who are fed up with all the reality shows. I do think that they are entertaining but should only be viewed by an audience that is mature enough for their content.