There is an “Anti-bullying movement” going on, and
practically every state in the union has some version of an anti-bullying law
on the books. If you Google
“anti-bullying movement” you can read about all kinds of efforts on the part of
legislators, schools, parenting groups and even students to stop the spread of
bullying. I just did and was
compelled to collect my thoughts and blog for the first time in 2012.
I’m going to go ahead and say that I would bet big money
that a majority of the individuals striving to “stop bullying” by day, sit down
in front of their television many a night for what I think is a major
bully-fest: "Reality TV."
I’m quite well aware of the fact that since I don’t watch
reality TV I can hardly pretend to be an expert. I also know that mine is a minority opinion
and that it’s commonly accepted that most reality TV shows are just good-natured contests. But I disagree – I’ve
seen and heard enough, and I think it’s just plain old public humiliation-- and
our kids are watching.
As a kid I remember being uncomfortable watching “Candid
Camera.” It made me squirmy with
embarrassment, and I felt so sorry for the people who were “tricked” so
everyone could laugh at them. When I was
older I watched “Trading Spaces,” a program in which couples swapped houses and
redecorated. I didn’t like this version
of reality TV any better. I was annoyed by the sanctimonious comments of
the show’s designers passing judgment on the homeowner’s décor taste with witty
comment such as “Seriously? Those curtains!
What in the world were they thinking?” I can’t say I don’t think things like this
all the time, but I don’t say it out loud on national television. My mother
would not approve.
Then there was the infamous first season of “Survivor.” If it isn’t painfully obvious that voting
people off the island is major bullying then I don’t know what is. It brings back memories of “Lord of the
Flies,” which I think it was meant to, but when my class read that book back in
high school, our English teacher never appeared to glory in the boys’ descent
into savagery. I can’t say as much for
“Survivor” viewers. Anything goes in the
quest to win millions.
In my very first blog post I suggested that it might be good for
the soul and the body to exchange a few hours of reality TV for some good old
volunteering in the community. I still
think so. I also think that reality TV is sanctioned bullying and less of it would be good for our kids. But as much as I wish the reality
TV fad would pass, it flourishes, like bullying, on TV, in our schools
and on the Internet. We have thought up
more and more downright mean-spirited ways to publicly humiliate people on
national TV than ever before! And as
long as the adult role models continue to vigorously root to vote people off
the island, off the runway, off the stage and even out of the kitchen, the kids
will continue to be watching.
