America loves reality television. It’s as simple as that. We get sucked into shows like “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” or “Shark Tank” every season. We tune in each week to watch “real” people do “real” things.
But why are we still watching “The Bachelor”? Teenage girls, college roommates and mothers all over America literally couldn't wait for this season to start up. Even I was drawn into the premise of this show in the beginning. But if you take a step back and really think about what you’re watching, you’ll be confused as to why we praise this show, and the bachelor himself.
This show reinforces the idea that women are each other’s competition. Why do we love watching a show where 20 or more young females fight over one man, tear each other down and try to be viewed as better than the rest? Finding love is not a competition against other girls, so why are we treating it that way?
Many women on this show look eerily similar, minus differing hair and eye color. Almost every contestant is average height, thin and — most noticeably — white. Clearly, people of all colors and body sizes are looking for love. So, would it lower ratings or would the Bachelor be disappointed with his selection? Do "different" women just not have a chance at getting that final rose? Whatever the reason may be, I’m sure it’s not something anyone would be comfortable standing behind.
Hook-up culture is also something we are constantly talking about today. We all want to bring dating back and end the way relationships are perceived to be in society. We hate trends of "ghosting" and wonder why anyone would accept this kind of behavior. But, what do you expect with millions of people watching "The Bachelor"? There's one man developing an emotional and sexual relationship with multiple girls at a time — from making out, being in the fantasy suite or saying “I love you,” these scenarios continue to happen each season.
The bottom line: This isn't how love works. This show has been extremely unsuccessful in producing real relationships with merely seven weeks to fall in love, all while splitting the time between multiple people and producers directing conversations. Going on whirlwind dates instead of having a realistic relationship as America sits in their living rooms, cheering on the tears, bashing the girls, loving the drama and then later wondering why relationships are treated the way they are in today's society.
This season, I won't be another viewer sitting at home contributing to the success of a show that reinforces the issues with today's dating culture. I won't support a show that encourages the idea that you have to beat out the girls around you to win the affection of a man. I won't ignore the undeniable body and racial discrimination of the contestants. And I won't pretend this reality television show actually fosters true love. It’s time to think about what you’re watching when you tune into this season of “The Bachelor.”
