January 12, 2012
According to an analysis by the Parents Television Council, only 24 percent of what women say about themselves on four of MTV's most popular reality shows is positive, Baptist Press reports. "Jersey Shore," "Real World," "Teen Mom 2" and "16 and Pregnant" are the most popular primetime MTV shows among preteens and teens ages 12 to 17, and researchers said the study showed "a disturbingly unrealistic portrayal of 'reality' with harsh, demeaning, degrading and sexualized dialogue." Tim Winter, the council's president, said: "After many years of pursing equality for women, the findings of today's study suggest a glamorized but grossly distorted view of what it means to be feminine. Compared to men, women are far more denigrating to themselves and other females. With so much at stake, teen-targeted reality television is doing little more than 'empowering' young girls to be overly negative. ... It's time we gave them something valuable to emulate."