Reality television has become an increasingly popular genre of television. According to the National Television Violence Study (NTVS) Research Team, there has been a 26% increase in reality television shows in just one year from 1995 to 1996. Reality television has continued to develop and become more popular, only adding more reality shows to channels each year. Due to this, the messages provided by such shows can have a great influence on the viewers. Demographics demonstrate that a large percentage of viewers are younger generations. This is an important issue because how reality television affects the youth will impact the future of society.
Because reality television has the power to affect the future of society, many debate whether reality television is harmful or helpful to the youth.
Suzanne Chamberlin, a culture studies analyst at the Family Research Council, believes reality television’s message negatively impacts youth viewers. While Greg Asimakoupoulos, a reverend and director of creative communications for the Chapel Ministries, believes that reality television offers an opportunity to expose the youth to morality and humanity.
Opponents of reality television argue that since there is only 14% of television shows dedicated to children shows, the youth then result to watching adult television, including reality television, in which an abundance of violence and promiscuity are promoted. In fact, Chamberlin writes “Not only are there more reality shows these days and an even bigger reality show following, the violence-related content has skyrocketed.” This exposure to violence and promiscuity results in desensitization to violence, which then results in copy-cat behavior. The National Television Violence Study (NTVS) Research Team found that over 70% of perpetrators of violence on reality television shows were aged 21 to 44. Chamberlin argues that seeing adults result to violence on television shows foster children’s aggressive behavior, allowing them to think that violence can be the answer. Chamberlin adds to this writing, “the reality shows perpetuate a feeling of invincibility—which is far more dangerous than an audience that is merely less affected by violence. It breeds an ‘if ordinary people can do it, then I can’ mentality.” This further demonstrates that reality television shows breed violence by encouraging viewers to result to behavior seen on these shows.
On the other hand, supporters of reality television argue that reality television can allow for families to spend time together and create lasting traditions. Also, during this family time, parents have the opportunity to discuss valuable life lessons that correspond with the shows. Asimakoupoulos writes, “As a Christian minister I must be able to communicate my faith in terms a sight-and-sound generation can understand.” Because this generation is much more visually learning generation, seeing reality on television allows for the youth to learn from such shows. This demonstrates that not only does reality television allow for a positive opportunity for family bonding, but also for the youth to see a diverse “spectrum of humanity.” Asimakoupoulos reflects on reality television, writing “Because there is redemptive value in family rituals, even something as pedestrian as watching the same program each week together can be a sacred experience.” These rather addictive shows can allow families or groups of people in general to bond over such shows and connect, creating value in human interaction.
The debate of reality television’s true impact on the youth has been more prominent as reality television has become more popular in recent years. With new reality television shows pushing the limits, there comes debate and speculation as to whether the youth should be exposed to such shows or not.
Reality television impacts the lives of the youth as they consume such entertainment right now, but will also affect how society will work when the youth are older. So, what messages this popular television genre leaves the youth with will make a lasting impression on society in the long run.
Reality Television in 2017 