Introduction
It is a dazzling day today, and I am humbled to be here to present an exclusive presentation of the reality shows phenomenon. Mirrors are perpetually deceitful. They lie and steal your true self. They reveal only what the mind believes it sees. This is one of the most popular quotes about vision, and it is factual. What is a reality show? Does it benefit to the society? Do they influence on our attitude in life? I am here today to show you the authenticity of the reality shows. We are in the twenty-first century, and the reality shows in the media are proverbial and trendy and very entertaining. It is ordinary life of people and everyday situations with no written scripts.
This research has been conducted on the beliefs of the two types of viewers: the occasional viewers and the fervent viewers. Those viewers who have embraced the reality shows have changed their perceptions on the various issues and topics in real life. In my presentation, I would like to be at variance with the perception of the majority and say that the reality shows are less informative then the core role of filming and broadcasting is. Additionally, very few reality shows portray reality, and the contents of these shows are misguiding. I will discuss three key points to support my argument.
First one is that reality shows causes culture corrosion. Lack of ethical care and combating influences that change the personality traits of individuals are my other points.
Corrosion of the culture
Acceptance of homosexuality and voyeurism. Reality shows became popular in the 1990’s with shows like ‘The Survivor’ being broadcasted on the television. Channels of reality shows have emerged, for instance the MTV channel, the BET and more (Blake 32). Public acceptance of unconventional lifestyles has gradually changed and in the future, things may get out of control. One of the contributions of the reality shows is moral deterioration, more precisely sexual immorality. An example of a reality show is ‘Will and Grace’ where the starring cast is in a relationship with a male and a sidekick female, therefore, implying bisexual lifestyle (Blake 34).
Two decades ago, casting homosexual relationship could be an immense offence to the public and even to the state. Sodomy rules had been set up in many states, and those who breached them were taken to courts and pleaded guilty for their immoral behaviours. People have been exposed to reality shows that do not hide the shameful acts. Gays and lesbians are embraced now and even celebrated for their acts. The exposure to the immorality gradually convinced the public that it is alright to be gay or lesbian (Ritter 2). Despite the religious doctrines, all the teachings have been erased, and individual satisfaction is all that matters.
Voyeuristic content in the reality shows has immensely contributed to the erosion of moral values and principles. The difference that distinguishes reality shows from other television programs is that the voyeurism is done in the open without minding the audience. For this reason, the audience is tempted to practice that and as a result immorality has greatly risen. The perception of women as the centre of the voyeuristic belonging has corrupted the teen’s minds and, as a result caused sexual immorality (Bagdasarov et al. 301).
Combating the influence
Change of personality traits. Television has led to an addiction especially among the youths. Adults are not exempted from the negative impacts of television and especially from the reality television shows. We all have our role models in life. Some of the role models are the celebrities, the great television personalities. Reality shows have slowly sanctioned change in the manners of individuals. As it is in my reference, Doctor Zeenat Ismail evaluated the behavioural trait among children from the developing regions. Children change their socialization behaviour based on some factors such as gender, age and social class as a result of real television shows (Ismail 22). There is also the impression that the rich should only mingle with those who are from the same social class. The reality shows’ audience, especially the youths are adopting the traits of the casts. Violence and aggressiveness are just some of other traits learnt from the television programs. Vices such as drug abuse, crimes and reckless driving are also extractions from the real shows (Cohen 184).
Lack of unity
A society without ethics is a dead society. Ethics is the milestone of development and growth in any society. The mental, physical, sociological and physiological growth, ethnic care is necessary for all individuals. Do the reality shows display the quintessence of care for one another? Many times the characters in the reality shows are egotistical and do not heed to others welfare. The issue of materialism is well explained in this topic. Love for money is considered to be the origin of humanity evilness and inhumanity.
Only a small proportion of this reality shows that we see on our screens, reveal the importance of ethical care. Unity and harmony are the milestones of a community that we should live in. Cruelty and injustice are portrayed every day on the screens and it has a great impact on the society. Young audience of these shows have adopted vices such as vengeance that make them feel like heroes. Therefore, the reality shows are not significant to be seen on the screens (Hill 109). They are inevitable, but one should be conscious of the results of these reality shows.
Unity is strength. We are all aware of the results of not uniting in life. At some point in life, we need each other for a console. The scenario in most of reality shows is that we are competing to be happy and successful. The impression created is that the world is applying the rule of survival for the fittest. Enmity is created when one person is seen to be prospering compared to another. A good example of a reality show that reveals is the Apprentice and American Idol (Cohen 189). These two shows may not necessarily have physical violence, but the gossiping and undermining of some individuals is a clear indication of bad real life relations among people while working and living in the same society.
Conclusion
My three points are: combating influence among the audience, corrosion of the culture and lack of ethical care strongly proves that the reality shows are damaging the society. Despite having good effects, the negative effects overshadow the good ones. It is, therefore, our responsibility to take heed of what we are choosing to watch day by day on television not side-lining the aftermath of repeatedly watching the reality shows. The government should play a major role in the ensuring of contents in the reality shows, if they are beneficial to all the audience or can cause problems for the society.
Works Cited
Bagdasarov, Z., Greene, K., Smita C., Krcmar, B.M., Yanovitzky, I., & Ruginyte, D. “I am what I watch.’ Voyeurism, Sensation Seeking, and Television Viewing Patterns.” Broadcast Education Association. 54.2 (2010): 283-302. Web.
Blake, M. “For Gays, Reality Shows can be Path to Acceptanc.” Los Angeles Times. 2012: A4. Web.
Cohen, J. “Audience identification with media characters.” The Psychology of Entertainment. 63.3 (2006): 183-198. Ebscohost. Web.
Hill, A. Reality TV. Audiences and Popular Factual Television, London: Routledge, 2005. Google Books. Web.
Ismail Z. “Television Viewing and Consumer Behaviour: The Effect of Personal Traits and Demographic Variables on Children’s Socialization Behaviour.” Journal of Sociological Research. 4.2 (2013): 12-45. Ebscohost. Web.