Blog Post 10

Olivia Lakes

Prof. Santos

EN 199-003

10 April 2015 

This week in class we talked about women in reality TV vs women in real life, and if women in reality TV reflect real women. A lot of times women on TV are shown in a negative light by playing up the stereotypes that people already have. It was very clear by the clips that we watched, that women on reality TV either choose to or are told to act a certain way, contrary to how an "average woman" would act for the viewers pleasure.

It was interesting to me that people actually find it funny or interesting to watch women argue and fight and act out, because in real life these aren't "acceptable" things for women to do. Therefore I think the appeal comes from being able to see that other side to women that most people think exists, blown up and overexaggerated without consequences. However reinforcing these negative stereotypes on TV can be an issue because it makes people think it's okay to make these generalizations that all women are catty or that women don't get along. This negatively affects young girls especially, because they see women represented this way without reprimand and without any diversity in their actions during this show. Seeing all the women act this way towards each other makes it seem like it's okay or its normal for this to happen and makes them feed into and believe in the stereotypes. 

Also, I find it kind of dehumanizing, or at the least just embarrassing, for women to be put on display like the way they are in some fo these shows. I feel like there is no real purpose except to laugh at them and follow their drama, and although the women who are cast might not see a problem in it, I think that it's unfortunate to be on TV just to be laughed at or mocked. I feel like it's a little dehumanizing because of the fact that people are just watching them with no real respect for them due to the fact that they can just sit back and laugh at theme but then turn off the TV and not have to live with their every embarrassing or obnoxious action on television. It's easy to think things are funny when you're on the outside looking in, but I feel like living like that can't be as exciting as it looks.