Reality TV: Harmful or Positive Entertainment?

As the 20th century transitioned into the 21st century, and as the 21st century now progresses, TV entertainment has become a staple in American lives. A form of televised entertainment that has risen to prominence and popularity is reality TV. Thousands of people around the country watch reality TV on a daily basis. However, its popularity has aggravated controversy along with its positive popularity. Some people are complacent towards the subject; some despise it; and others are neutral towards it. Some believe it’s a healthy, wholesome, sort of entertainment, while others others believe it is wholly unhealthy and unwholesome. One thing is for sure: reality TV influences hundreds of lives, and we need to be careful how we let it influence us.

Reality TV especially influences girls around America. For example, girls who watch TV regularly consider themselves tend to be more confident than non-viewers. According to a survey done by the Girl Scout Research Institute, just less than 1141 girls between the ages of 11 years and 17 years surveyed considered themselves regular reality TV consumers. Reality TV molds their thoughts and impacts their personalities. 62% of girls who regularly watched reality TV claimed that reality TV opened their eyes to “social causes and issues” of which they were formerly ignorant. 59% learned new things, but those new things were never specified. The research shows that the impact of reality TV on girls is great. Although the author of this essay has no knowledge of the effect on boys, it is the opinion of the writer that if it affects girls so much, then reality TV most likely impacts boys to a certain degree. The research is crystal clear; reality TV clearly shapes the thoughts and personality of growing children.

Despite the positive influences of reality TV, the Girl Scout Research Institute showed even higher statistics for the negative influences reality have on girls. Overall, the survey showed that most of the viewers and non-viewers agreed that reality TV promotes drama. 37% of viewers believed that you have to lie to get what you want whereas only 76% of non-viewers disagreed with that statement. 37% of regular viewers believed that you have to be mean to to earn respect, whereas only 25% of non-viewers agreed with that statement. 74% of viewers believed they were happier when involved in a romantic relationship, and 72% of the girls admitted to spending much time on their appearance. This illustrates that reality TV teaches girls that being mean is okay; lying is okay; hurting others is perfectly permissible. It also teaches girls to be self-conscious, since 72% of the girls spend lots of time on their appearance.

On the other hand, reality TV doesn’t necessarily have to influence someone. According to James Poniewozak, Time’s TV Critic, reality TV is purely entertainment, and he emphasizes how it is one of the primest form of entertainments at that. For example, reality TV appeals to all ages. Poniwozak argues that it hosts shows that are kid-friendly, adult-friendly, and family-friendly, and should some of the shows be inappropriate for children, they can watch it when they’re older. While this is true, Poniwozak fails to show the standard for “prime” and the definition of “kid-friendly.” Poniewozak never explores how reality TV might or might not influence people, especially girls. Another issue to consider is how reality TV might subtly influence children. An illustration of this can be shown with Disney. Disney will sometimes slide extremely subtle ideas in their movies that children don’t recognize, but it becomes apart of them. In the same way, reality TV slides ideas into their shows.

Of course, not everyone believes the influence of reality TV necessarily causes a negative impact. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute, the survey showed that 75% of the viewers claimed that reality TV inspired conversation with their parents and friends. Others claimed that reality TV inspired them and motivated them to achieve their dreams. It’s not necessarily unhealthy to make young people aware of the social causes and pulls that surround us. Reality TV also educates girls because they learned things they had not known before; therefore, this is a positive influence of reality TV. However, another way to look at this is that the new things they learned are not necessarily all virtuous. Children shouldn’t necessarily learn about some things under a certain age due to maturity and innocence.

In conclusion, it’s left up to the viewer and his or her conscience whether reality TV is healthy or unhealthy. However, the author of this essay challenges the reader to think about how we are easily influenced and to ponder on whether the shows the reality TV airs necessarily promote moral or crass behavior. If it promotes morality, then by all means, we should watch it. Per Contra, if it promotes lying, meanness, rudeness, then, especially if you're a Christian, should you watch it? For non-Christians, it won’t ever be a question of morality but enjoyable or tiresome entertainment. Reality TV affects lives all over the country. Is it really a healthy influence? That question must be determined by the individual.