The Harm in Reality

  

   You probably wouldn’t have guessed it, but I am a reality show junkie. Don’t get me wrong. I do not watch every reality show ever to be aired on television, but I do get my fill.

   When I was young television was guarded over, like the last piece of Banana Cream Pie. My parents were very strict about the television shows we were allowed to watch and not watch. Movies that were rated PG-13 had to be pre-screened by my Mother and Father before we were allowed to see them. Rated R movies were out of the question. 

   Needless to say, MTV was never allowed. MTV not only has the longest running reality television show, they are also credited with launching the modern reality television genre. This reality show is called The Real World. The first season of The Real World broadcasted in 1992. It is still to this day one of my favorites.

   I remember going to a friend’s house when I was eleven years old, because her parents both worked and we got to watch all the MTV we wanted. The first music video I remember watching was “Just like a prayer” by Madonna. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen at the time. If anyone has seen this music video you can understand how a sheltered Mormon girl by upbringing would be in awe of Madonna. I fell in love with MTV and all the music videos. MTV has evolved and added a Real World Road Rules challenge. When The Real World season ends the Real World Road Rules challenge begins. I get year round entertainment of my favorite show.

   Looking back I realize that my parents were trying to shelter me from the negativity of all these movies and television shows. They were so busy trying to shield us that they forgot the most important thing. Open communication and talking to your children about the pressures of the world and how to handle them.

   These days I try not to watch too much television. I am too busy raising a child of my own, and balancing all the pressures of being a single mother. My guilty pleasures of reality television are usually saved till after everything else is done, and my son is asleep. Adopting the strict rules of my parents, I would never allow my son to watch MTV or many of the other television shows for that matter.

   My son and I have a very open and honest relationship. We have had “the birds and the bees” talk. My views on the reality television shows are that I would prefer him to learn about the contents of these shows from his Mother. Alcohol, drugs, sex, fighting, abuse, partying and relationship advice should all be heard from loving parents first. They have their children’s best interests at heart. If not, you take the chance of your child taking what they have learned from television or their friend’s as fact.

   MTV has now turned into a dominantly reality television network. If you wake up early enough you can catch some music videos. I see constant previews for new shows. 16 and pregnant, Celebrity Rehab, Intervention, competition shows and True Life. I can only hope parents are talking to their children about the subjects that are brought into the light on these shows. They might be doing more harm than good to a young child’s life. I believe that communication is crucial. If these shows get a child to ask questions about real life issues, I am all for it. Parents cannot rely on their children coming to them to ask questions. Crossing their fingers that their children are not dealing with or learning anything harmful from television. We are the adults. We have to start communicating. We are raising the future.