Reality tv personas have the tendency and the power to influence society through their popularity. The culture we live by today is defined by openness, free spirit, and acceptance; becoming a reflection of the evolution of reality television has created. Watching celebrities come out of their shell and express themselves on a platform that is widely accessible to many viewers, automatically puts them on the spot.
Over the years, perceptions have been altered and stereotypes have evolved introducing a new perspective on family, friendships, relationships, and work ethic. A bold example stems from one of the most successful reality tv shows of our time, Keeping Up with The Kardashians. Kris Jenner became a role model portraying that a woman can master and have the best of both worlds in her life. Managing to raise six children whilst being in the spotlight, and at the same time handling their careers as a manager presented her as a thriving woman.
The media has surely left its mark on family representations by creating shows such as The Osbournes, Married to Jonas, Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami, Giuliana and Bill, and dozens of others. This way, audiences are exposed to families that carry certain ideals and values, inspiring them in prospering in their own.
Through another perspective, reality tv could result as harmful to society as it may promote standards of ‘perfection’ that are beyond the audience’s reach. The happy ending in each episode of any show reveals a picture-perfect reality which most families cannot accomplish. This becomes an issue when people start feeling that their lives aren’t good enough and living up to the standards of celebrities on television will most likely not be met.
The powerful image of a woman presented on reality tv however accurately reflects a portion of society’s ideals today. Specifically, motherhood ideologies have changed and evolved into becoming more flexible and accepting, introducing what we now know as the ‘modern day mother’. Reality tv therefore has aided in achieving this goal through the variety of shows it presented, allowing these women to have a say and share their story with the world.
