Look for real people to inspire you, not actors in reality TV shows

What is reality television? The official definition is “television programs in which real people are continuously filmed. They are designed to be entertaining rather than informative.” The problem with reality shows such as “Keeping up with the Kardashians” or “Jersey Shore” is that people sometimes forget they are not actually real.

The “real people” are actors creating drama and conflict for the viewers. The more views the show gets, the more money the actors get paid. This kind of manipulation on the show’s part, in my opinion, is dangerous for younger viewers because they may not be able to tell what’s real and what’s not in the show. It gives them a false sense of what is right and wrong, and what happens in the real world. Behaviors they see on screen are not how people act normally, but younger viewers might think those behaviors are acceptable. There have been times when even I have doubted that a show is fake and tried convincing myself that what I was seeing was true and not scripted, just because the show seemed so real.

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We cannot let ourselves forget what reality shows are all about: entertainment, and entertainment alone. That’s what makes them so appealing to the general audience. The actors selected for these shows are attractive and everyone has an assigned “role” that is commonly found in these types of shows (such as the “Bad Boy,” the “Party Girl,” etc.). A significant concern about reality shows should be the gender stereotyping that is portrayed. Girls are usually cast who are skinny, pretty and act as if they are unintelligent and only want to “party.” Guys are seen as attractive and “manly men.” This type of stereotyping is a major problem for younger viewers who are already self-conscious and trying to figure out their bodies and who they are. Having these actors seem “normal” makes people think they need to strive to be like them, which is virtually unattainable. This could lead to low self-esteem and other such problems.

If reality shows want to show “real people,” then they need to start casting people with normal weights and not as simple stereotyped characters. There needs to be people kids can relate to and role models for them to look up to. A girl shouldn’t have to feel like she needs to be unintelligent to be attractive, and a boy shouldn’t feel like he needs to be emotionless and strong all the time.

I’m not saying that young viewers shouldn’t watch these shows. I am suggesting that viewers need to remember that these shows are for entertainment purposes only, and that what they see is not real life. There are people around us every day that can inspire us and serve as role models. I would encourage all of us to look for those real people instead of the fake ones on the other side of the television screen. 

Olivia Babcock is a senior at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School. Contact her at features@poughkeepsiejournal.com