Reality Television Essay

Running Head: REALITY TELEVISION                                                                             Page 1

Values portrayed on reality television programs.
Edith Farris
ENG: 122
Stacey Novak
June 19, 2011

REALITY TELEVISION:                                                                                                               2
The topic of this research paper is the values of reality television. Reality television is a
type of show that is spontaneous and unscripted; they range from real life stories about regular
ordinary people, game shows, competition, talent shows, and many more.
Some reality based television shows are very informative, knowledgeable and interesting. There is a wide variety of reality shows, which covers a very large area and all different aspects of daily living. Throughout the wide variety of all of these reality shows all of them has one major thing in common: the people starring in the shows are supposedly all, “real” people going through “real” situations, rather it be day to day living, competition, or informative based news shows.
There are several reality type shows out there that are sending out the wrong messages to teenagers and even some adults. It might inspire them for violence, teen pregnancy, and many more habits and or mannerisms that are not acceptable on a day-to-day basis. Teenagers could even be trying some of the stunts shown on a few of the shows at home resulting in injury. Some of the consequences that adolescents can have from reality television can be severe and could be with them for the rest of their lives. “Parents have long been concerned about the amount of time young people spend watching TV. Some studies suggest that children sometimes imitate violent behaviors they see on TV.” (Curtin, 2011)
            Although some of the newer reality based shows will attract a large audience, due to the story line of the shows and they might acquire great ratings.   They are going too far...