Reality Shows, Outline Example

Reality Television Shows and the Impact to Social Health

Thesis: Reality television shows alter the view of reality by presenting images and behaviors that are contrary to social norms.

Reality shows such as American Idol can create altered views of social reality

1. Although there was an 18% decrease in viewership in 2011, American Idol held onto over 26 million viewers, maintaining its position as one of the most watched shows in the world (Daily Mail).
2. Viewers and participants compare and contrast their self worth and talents to the participants of the show.
3. Viewers gain an unrealistic sense of self-importance in the attempt to reach stardom.
4. Viewers suffer increased anxiety and depression as a result of personal failures in comparison to those who are selected participants of shows such as American Idol.

Viewers gain an altered view of beauty and acceptance based on shows such as The Bachelor and The Bachelorette

1. The shows The Bachelor, The Bachelorette portray the ability to gain love and acceptance through being thin, sexy and successful (Christenson & Ivancin).
2. The impact of thin, sexy females or males on the show can create eating disorders in teens and young adults.
3. A Kaiser Foundation study found that 58% of female characters in movies and 28% of females in television shows had some form of reference about their appearance (Teen Health and the Media).
4. Shows such as The Bachelor and The Bachelorette places candidates in sexually suggestive scenes which advocates a central element in finding love and acceptance.
5. A survey of over 1000 middle school students in North Carolina found that students who were exposed to sexual content in the media were 2.2 times more likely to have sexual intercourse within 2 years of exposure (InPress Pediatrics).

Reality shows such as Jackass, Fear Factor and The Real World can induce erratic and risk-taking behaviors

1. The reality show Jackass has had a direct impact on teen injuries and fatalities.
2. In Albuquerque, New Mexico a teenager was killed while attempting to demonstrate a stunt from the move Jackass (The Free Radical).
3. Teens and other viewers underestimate the risks involved in reality shows such as Fear Factor (Christenson & Ivancin).
4. Reality shows such as The Real World displays teens using excessive amounts of alcohol, cigarette smoking, profanity and sexually content as central themes of daily life (Christenson & Ivancin).
5. Adolescents are typically impressed with TV characters and movie stars who take risks even if alcohol, drugs and risky behavior is involved (Mediascope).

Conclusion – Research indicates that reality shows have a direct impact on Public Health A.  Reality shows create an altered sense of reality and self-worth

1. Continued research and studies are needed to provide substantial evidence of this issue and how the concern should be addressed.
2. The success of current reality shows will likely create a battle for reality censorship

References

Christenson, P, and M Ivancin. The “Reality” of Health: Reality Television and the Public Health. Menlo Park, CA: The Kaiser Family Foundation, 2006. N. pag. Web. 6 July 2011. <http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/7567.pdf>.

Daily Mail. Disappointment for Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as American Idol ratings plummet by 3.8m viewers. N.p.: n.p., 2011. Web. 6 July 2011. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1349049/American-Idol-2011-Ratings-3-8million-viewers.html>.

InPress Pediatrics. Sexy Media Matter: Exposure to Sexual Content in Music, Movies, Television and Magazines Predicts Black and White Adolescents’ Sexual Behavior. N.p.: n.p., 2008. N. pag. Office Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Web. 6 July 2011. <http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/5/1047.full?submit.y=1>.

Mediascope. Body Image and Advertising. N.p.: n.p., 2000. N. pag. Web. 6 July 2011. <http://www.mediascope.org/pubs/ibriefs/bia.htm >.

Teen Health and the Media. Media’s Effect on Body Image. N.p.: n.p., 2009. N. pag. Web. 6 July <http://depts.washington.edu/thmedia/view.cgi?section=bodyimage&page=fastfacts>.

The Free Radical. Teen dies trying to be a jackass. N.p.: n.p., 2002. N. pag. Web. 6 July 2011. <http://www.thefreeradical.ca/copycatCrimes/articlesOnJackassCopycats.html>.