They’re Not Mean Girls If They Are Adult Women: Reality Television’s Construction of Women’s Identity and Interpersonal Aggression

Abstract

Drawing on a first-hand account from co-author and participant in a recent season of a popular romance-based reality TV show, this study considers how such shows construct and reinforce stereotypes about women’s relational dynamics with men and other women. It is argued that through careful production and gender scripting, these typologies are situated within a hierarchy of women’s relational interaction that normalizes aggression and bullying among adult women, reframing the ‘mean girl’ from an undesirable role to one that is portrayed as a normal and empowering role for adult women, especially in service of the pursuit of a male partner. The implications of this transformation extend to other women who are portrayed as ‘the other’ and as a result often subordinately positioned in the relational hierarchy reflected on the show. Implications for future research on gender scripts in popular media, the social construction of women’s relational dynamics, and manifestations of covert and overt bullying in these dynamics are discussed.

Is that a real woman? Reality TV viewing and black viewers’ beliefs about femininity.

“…Indeed, the contributions of perceived realism may be particularly impactful. If viewers perceive the content to be authentic and representative, they may be more inclined to accept it in a noncritical way, for it is presented as the characters’ own choices (Downing, 2018; Goldman & Waymer, 2015). It is therefore critical that parents and educators engage in critical media literacy and that these interventions include a focus on reality TV.…”

“…Glascock and Preston-Schreck (2018) reported 19 verbally aggressive acts per hour in their analysis of a composite week of reality programming, with a higher percentage of women than men engaging in threats, yelling, and character attacks. Indeed, Downing (2018) noted that women on romance-based reality programs are encouraged to engage in behaviors that exaggerate and dramatize their relational aggression and highlight competition. The display of highly emotional women is also prevalent (Dubrofsky, 2009).…”

“…In their analysis of 64 hr of reality dating programs, Ferris and colleagues (2007) found 5.9 references per hour to the notion that women are sexual objects and 3.6 references per hour to men as sex driven. Indeed, reality dating programs such as The Bachelor and Joe Millionaire , in which dozens of women compete for the affections of one man, are described as promoting heteronormative fairy tale scripts (Cox, 2012; Downing, 2018) in which the “heterosexual princess gives up everything to find her knight-in-shining-armor and be whisked off to a happily-ever-after marriage” (Grumbein & Goodman, 2013, p. 103). In these programs, a compliant femininity is rewarded, one characterized by passivity (i.e., waiting for the man’s advance), sexual purity, and submissiveness (Cloud, 2010; Grumbein & Goodman, 2013).…”