Reality TV are television programs of ordinary people filmed doing ordinary and sometimes dangerous things. These shows are made for entertainment purposes. They would have to be unscripted, but would that really keep viewers' attention? Do these programs suit our vision or do they give us a false vision of life? Reality TV is a mediocre vision of what our reality really is. Millions of viewers watch these programs every day, from people who eat cow eyeballs for money to people who compete over who is prettier and even change their appearance. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay This essay will explain how Reality Television is giving us a made-up way of living and even false hopes. For starters, TV shows about teen pregnancy shouldn't even be on television. “Heavy viewers of reality programs for teen moms were more likely to think that teen moms have a lot of time for themselves, can easily find child care so they can go to work or school, and can complete high school compared to lighter viewers of such programs." (Martins, Jensen 2014, p.1). These shows about teen pregnancy give a false perception of what life is really like. Actors on shows get paid for their appearance on the show, get proper healthcare, have families to help them, provide a place to live, or babysit. They can also finish school and hold a job. Not all pregnant teens have these benefits. Teens see these teen moms on television on magazine covers, getting plastic surgery, and all over the internet. They are glorifying the whole situation. Is the life of a young pregnant girl really like this? Teen pregnancy shows have turned these teenagers into celebrities. This is not the normal daily life of the average pregnant teenager. “Although it would be inappropriate to suggest that viewing these programs is the cause of teenage pregnancies, it could be considered a contributing factor.” (Martins, 2014, p.1). Secondly, these reality shows have a negative effect on a teenager's body image. Most shows feature women or men who idealize beauty and focus on sex appeal. In modeling shows women compete over who is the most beautiful or sexiest. TV shows about surgery like Botched or Swan have people altering their appearance. Many viewers watch shows like The Kardashians that always alter their appearance. They wear sneakers to lose weight, which can cause harm to the body. They undergo cosmetic procedures while filming the TV show. Many women idealize the Kardashians, take advantage of them and earn money. "Among girls who watch reality TV, 72% say they spend a lot of time on their appearance, compared to 42% of non-viewers." (Bush, Sapire, 2017, p.1). This has become a part of life to fit in and be accepted. Meanwhile, younger generations watch these reality shows and learn that it is accepted to bully. These viewers watch people being bullied, harassed, and have so much drama involved that they have accepted it as part of life. They grow up and learn that this is how you treat people. Children are not mature enough to know the difference between what is real and what is not in these programs. There's not much that filters into TV now, ever.
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