EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Teen Years
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When it first premiered, “reality TV” seemed like such a novel concept. Watching people plunge off a skyscraper, ingesting variations of squirming insects, and generally making fools of themselves is something almost the entire American teenage population could blissfully swallow with a weekly dose of television. But with shows such as “Trading Spouses,” “The Swan” and “The Biggest Loser” spawning look-alikes nearly every minute, it seems as though television has long abandoned any sense of decency and, most of all, morality. Indeed, the stereotypical teen tends to disregard traditional rules; however, can’t we also show that we are aware of the human degradation that we call “reality TV?” After the November presidential election, newspapers and political pundits reported that 21-22% of the population voted based on “moral values.” Yet one of the most-watched reality television programs concerns swapping wives or husbands with little consideration for the family or spouses’ well-being. In fact, the more the traded spouse suffers, the more satisfaction we seem to leech from their misery. As if that wasn’t sadistic enough, we now have an abundance of makeover, or, euphemistically speaking, “transformation” reality shows. Here, the audience watches gleefully as the contestants are given the opportunity of a lifetime to change their outward appearance forever with a few strategically placed nips and tucks, only to be demoralized again at the end of the show when a panel of judges deems one to be more beautiful than the rest. And now, we can also enjoy the grueling emotional and physical process of 20 people trying to lose as much weight as they can on national television. Pardon me for asking, but wasn’t reality television supposed to be a nearly accurate description of real life? The last time I checked, losing weight was a private change in lifestyle, not something to be ridiculed every Tuesday night. Not to mention, teen life has very little to do with extreme plastic surgery, mixing and matching spouses and losing weight for money. Perhaps the allure of these programs is to show that even the average person can have his 15 minutes of fame, but at what price? These people sacrifice their dignity so they can get their face on screen for less than an hour, and here we are, laughing all the way. Instead of endorsing broadcasted humiliation, change the channel. Or better yet, read a book or get a head start on those unfinished homework assignments. Thanksgiving may be long gone, and the Christmas spirit a vague memory, but that doesn’t mean we should stop thinking about morality and human decency. Ann Long, of Troy High School in Fullerton, graduates this month. |
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