GHANA MUST GO BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS ON TV AND RADIO:- The Impact Of Reality Shows On Our Teens: What Can Parents Do? -By Alfred Kojo Appiah

The media is seen as some form of vigilante that guards against the pursuit of self-interest, nepotism, excessive power and corrupt practices. Indeed, journalists help to promote the freedoms and rights of human beings, distinct from other animals, and the balance of power between rulers and the ruled. Yet, the media can become an avenue for distractive practices. Irresponsibility, corruption and excesses of the media breed and result in crises and chaos. Evidently, the misuse of the media like that of power can impede national development. In Ghana today, the mass media has become an important ally in national yet, some of its practices are causing concern.?

In the TV racket, it's not unknown for a network to offer a show deal to an actor they simply don't want to lose. The bosses know the show is wrong for the actor, but they'd rather have the star on their network than the competition.?Most shows are carbon copies of some original shows somewhere. Now, some TV shows appear to be loosely copied from an original show and most stations are very happy producing such shows.

Research has shown ?that most reality shows have an impact on the values of young girls and how they view real-life situations. That being the case, it’s important to take a look at some of the standards portrayed on most reality shows on our screens.

Reality Shows are a huge part of our television viewing culture nowadays. It may be clear to many adults that not all is “real” in the world of reality Shows. However, how do children and adolescents understand the world of reality Shows? What could reality Shows be teaching adolescent girls, in particular, about what is valued in the real world? And, how does it affect their attitudes, beliefs, self-image and behavior?

Physical Beauty And Sex Appeal: Many reality shows depict women idealizing beauty and thinness, giving the impression that a woman’s value is based on her appearance, and that popularity is derived from beauty. Competition shows {not to Mention}, as women compete with one another to gain a lucrative modeling contract. Most people alter their appearance and become more satisfied with their looks and quality of life after surgery. Many cast members of other reality shows are very open about their numerous plastic surgeries and these are some of the content we produce on our screens living our culture and show that will educate the next generation of leaders into leadership and community development.

A great deal of time and money on appearance, with a consequent rise in fame and popularity of its girls and women.?Their Instagram pages, often followed by young fans of the show, are full of “selfies,” bikini and modeling photos. Photos that feature their “ordinary” everyday lives are highly sexualized, including the pages of the youngest teenage members of the family. This practice perpetuates the notion that “real” people gain popularity and happiness by focusing on their appearance—and to be successful, personal image, even at a very young age, should be laced with sexuality.

Materialism And Excessive Partying: Other common values perpetuated by reality shows and other tv programs include materialism and an idealization of a hard-partying and “celebrity” lifestyle without regard for consequences. Young people take extravagant trips, wear designer clothes, spend a lot of money on alcohol-fueled parties, and are rarely seen working regular jobs. Some spend their lives drinking to excess, participating in risky sexual behavior, engaging in physical altercations, and even more. Despite their obvious poor behavior and decision-making, their popularity continues to grow.

Lack Of Focus On The Importance Of Intelligence And?Real?World?Success: While reality shows seem to place emphasis on sex appeal, materialism, hard-partying and relational aggression, it does not emphasize the fact that most people on these shows are highly intelligent and successful in their?real?lives.

To Be Continued: ....................................