Representation of Women in Reality TV

Women in Reality TV:

• Women in reality TV programmes are represented very differently to the men.
• E.g: "The Only Way is Essex" (ITV2), the women are represented to be very beauty conscious and quite stupid and quite self indulged.
• E.g: "Made in Chelsea" (E4-Channel 4), the women are represented to be very posh, rich - the complete opposite to "TOWIE" because they seem to be more established because of the money that they have. However, when it comes down to the men, the women on both programmes become naïve, this is the similarity between the two.
• E.g: "Geordie Shore" (MTV), this is similar to the other programmes that I have looked at as they try to be the typical stereotype of that particular place in the UK - this makes the people watching believe that everyone in that area are like this, when it may not be the case.
• E.g: "Big Brother" (Channel 5), this is different as it offers a wider range of women from all over the UK with different values and ideologies. But they are set up to be in certain situations - so it poses the question, is it really reality TV? 

The women may be represented in this way because it is more entertaining and interesting for the audience to watch and enjoy. The people that are featured on reality TV programmes are represented as a much more exaggerated stereotype to what they may actually be like, and for this reason, people will either watch or avoid it. The characters in these programmes are often told how to act in certain situations and may even be given situations to be in, creating more entertainment for the audience.

Feminist Theory:

• It examines women's social roles, experience, interests, and feminist politics.
• They focus on analysing gender inequality.
• Themes explored are discrimination, objectification (especially sexually), oppression and stereotyping.
• In most reality TV programmes, the women are seen as a prize to be won by the men- especially in love triangles/rivals. This can be seen as objectifying women as they may not think about the women's feelings, only the prize at the end.
• Feminists would most likely not agree with Reality TV programmes such as these for these reasons.

Audience Theory - Uses and Gratifications Theory:

• People's needs influence how they use and respond to the media.
• Audiences use media texts for a variety of reasons:
• 1.) Information: Gaining a sense of security through knowledge.
• 2.) Personal Identity: Identifying with characters.
• 3.) Integration and Social Interaction: Insight into others lives.
• 4.) Entertainment: Getting enjoyment.
• Audiences may be able to identify with the characters of reality TV programmes and the situations that they may find themselves in.
• They may also get enjoyment from seeing how other people live too.