The Unreal World

This article definitely struck a sore-spot with me, as the amplification of the discussed stereotype(s) is precisely WHY I refuse to watch reality television.

Having kept my head in the proverbial sand for years concerning this particular genre, I was alarmed to read about many shows that I had not yet heard of: Married by America, Meet my Folks and The Swan being a few such examples.

First of all, as a gay woman I'm severely disgusted with shows such as "Married by America". In most places, it's either not legal for me to marry my partner, or if it is- then the marriage most likely won't be recognized elsewhere. This is a fundamental right that I and my homosexual peers have to struggle for, yet here is a television show that binds people legally for the mere entertainment of vapid Americans everywhere. So essentially, our culture bars me from sharing my health benefits or being able to visit my partner in a hospital, but will gladly grant certificates of marriage that are doomed to be annulled only days, weeks or months later... solely because it is undervalued as an entertaining gimmick.

The analogy that Jennifer Pozner makes to the Stepford Wives is frighteningly accurate. Whatever steps women have made to gain equality as coworkers, peers and family members are being hacked to pieces by the stereotypes that are being enforced.

The whole reality show genre is destructive in nature and sets up horrible expectations of women in our society. Concerning shows such as The Swan, do I even need to reiterate the mantra of "plastic surgery is painful and dangerous?" These individuals risk complications and even death for the sake of feeling worthy of acceptance, yet television viewers are shown a glorified, edited "faux-reality" that fails to promote the slightest awareness of such issues. Why? Because it would harm ratings and *gasp* be the "right thing to do."

...For this reason, I'll continue to keep my head in the sand and choose not patronize such shows, thank-you-a-very-much!