Jersey Shore as a Show of Immorality - Research Paper Example

Introduction Jersey Shore is a reality based T.V show that is aired by MTV. The show takes the casts to various localities within New Jersey and New York. The casts include Nicole Pollizzi, Vinnie Gauadagnini, Pauley Del Vecchio, Mike Sorrentino, Jenny Farley, Angelina, Deena Cortese, and Ronnie Ortiz-Magro. The common thing about all the character is that each has some form of personality disorder ranging from an inferiority complex, egoism, to superiority complex. The characters are portrayed as energetic but incapable of dealing with their own shortcomings thus they use their energy aimlessly. The show follows a group of eight young adults, four women, and four men who identify themselves as Italian Americans. The young adults spend their summer together at the Jersey Shore and they engage in endless partying, tanning their skins, gelling hair, and promiscuity sex. Like most reality shows, the show is addictive and widely viewed particularly by teenagers some of who idolise and worship the casts. The show overemphasizes on stereotypes that are against the Italians. This paper focuses on the Jersey Shore show, its mischaracterizations, its stereotypes against the Italians and other negative social aspects and how they may affect the viewers, particularly the young people. The paper also seeks to demonstrate how the audience can learn from the behaviours exhibited by different cast members. In the show, the actors expose their bodies and adopt petty names such as Mike who refers himself as the ‘Situation’, which clearly depicts narcissism disorder of the genres partakers. Being a real life show, it will definitely affect the integrity of the viewers since it is full of fantasies demonstrated by exaggerated sexual aggressiveness as well as competition for the immoral fame. The show features on self-centered personalities seeking to be noticed by using morally wrong practices (Booker 14-20; Miller, Vandome and John 22-27; Hadden and Luce 200-205). Another negative aspect displayed by the Jersey Shore is partiality. The language used is offensive and humiliating particularly towards the Italians, such that some Italians, particularly the New Jersey Italian American Legislative Caucus wanted the show banned. Italians consider terms such as guido and guinea that have been repeatedly used in the show in reference to Italians as discourteous. The characters choose to identify themselves as Italian Americans and use the show to portray all the negative stereotypes associated with Italians such as inappropriate swearing, bar brawls, alcoholism, and promiscuity. This is inappropriate since the show does not help in challenging the immoral stereotypes but rather makes the viewer’s assume that Italian Americans are truly offensive and immoral. People might start acting in accordance with the stereotypes or else young Italians might have identity crisis in future if the stereotype is maintained (Booker 344-350; Genzlinger C1). This show is a complete blow to the morality. The casts engage in immoralities such as sex intercourse and nudity anyhow. The casts are depicted having lots of sex, alcohol and use abusive language by cursing and brawling at each other with no apologies to make. The relationships are based on sex where characters meet and have sex shortly after meeting only to breakup shortly after. Characters such as Nicole sleep with other male cast members and takes pride in such activities. A character such as Nicole, nicknamed ‘Snooki” openly declare that she is like a praying mantis in that she can sleep with any guy. Another form of immorality that the show seems to encourage is overindulgence in alcohol. Nicole’s alcoholism is overemphasized on as if to tell the audience that such immodesty is okay. Thus, the series is some sought of haven for young viewers to justify their immoral behaviors (Hadden and Luce 95-98; Booker 355-359). However, there are some positive aspects that viewers of this show can learn. The actors are mainly of Italian American origin and they have proudly identified themselves with a culture not appreciated by many the Americans, who are the main viewers of this show. This is a lesson to the viewers who have issues with their cultural identity. It is a call for the audience to embrace and appreciate their diversities whether racial, ethnic, or physical (Genzlinger C1; Booker 38-45). The show is also a warning of the effects that the twenty-first century feminism may turn into. Nicole considers herself a modern woman but her portrayal of equality is that which permits women to go clubbing at night, get drunk, and be able to have sex with any man. This is somehow related to mistaken demands by some women that they should have the freedom to engage in nightstands like men. The distorted portrayal of equality could be in some way depictive of denigration of feminism. Viewed positively, Nicole’s depiction of female empowerment can be a warning to feminists on the need to be wary when defining equality (Genzlinger C1). Nicole’s popularity amongst young viewers that resulted from her participation in the Jersey Shore is a warning to parents and guardians on the negative influence the media may have on their children. Nicole is a shameless, sexually aggressive drunkard yet widely admired by youngsters. Parents who have watched this show have a reason to worry on the content the media is exposing to their children. Teenagers are vulnerable and thus likely to experiment with ideas they may witness in shows such as “Jersey Shore”. Parents should thus advise their children accordingly so that they may discern that which is right from that which is wrong as they seek entertainment from the media (Genzlinger C1). This show without a doubt depicts that some men have not stopped viewing women as some source of sexual object for self-entertainment. The men in this reality show use abusive words such as sluts to refer to their supposed lovers. This depicts the distorted meaning of love and romance among the youngsters (Booker 450-455; Miller, Vandome and John 60-66). This show should also act as a source of awareness to the parents since it is a reality show thus it is somehow reflective of the lifestyle that teenagers and young people engage in. It is thus upon the parents to determine the factors that could turn their children into characters such as Nicole and deal with them effectively. Parents should also be wary of how their own children get to spend their summer holidays particularly when they are away from home (Miller, Vandome and John 90-93; Booker 243-+246). The show is also a warning since it provides viewers with an opportunity to determine the correct values of life thus could be an insight into the social norms. Nicole and Deena’s search for prestige makes them do things such as overindulgence in alcohol. The characters show some attempts to modify their character but the environment they are in are not conducive for this. Their own age mates who embrace bad values and are not genuine surround them thus cannot give them valuable advice. This enlightens viewers on the need to surround themselves with genuine friends who can influence their lives positively (Booker 374-379). Conclusion Jersey Show depicts the careless and reckless outlook of youngsters towards life. However, the show portrays such reckless behaviors at the expense of worsening the misguided perceptions of the youngster. Teenagers, who are the main viewers of the show, are likely to adopt the reckless, immoral, and misguiding behaviors. The show is a blow to human morality since it overemphasizes social immoralities and in some way depicts such immoralities as acceptable. However, it is upon the viewers to choose whether to learn from these misguided perceptions of having fun or adopt them. The show enhances stereotypes against Italian Americans by portraying decadent behaviors associated with the stereotype as well as use of impolite words in reference to matters associated with Italian Americans. However, the viewers can learn the importance of cultural identity from the choice of the characters to identify themselves as Italian Americans. Viewers should learn the need to retain their identity other than pretending to be the people they are not. From the above observations, Jersey show is a show of immorality, stereotypes, and is likely to misguide the viewers who may not be in a position to interprete the immoral and steretyped happenings appropriately. Works Cited Booker, Keith. Blue-Collar Pop Culture: From NASCAR to Jersey Shore. New York: ABC-CLIO, 2012. Print. Genzlinger, Neil. "Surf, Skin and Jersey. What’s Not to Love?" nytimes.com 4 Jan 2010. Hadden, Briton and Henry Luce. “Time” Volume 175, Issues 17-21. New York: Time, Incorporated, 2010. Print. Miller, Fredrick, Agnes, Vandome and John , McBrewster. Jersey Shore: TV Series. New Jersey: VDM Verlag Dr. Mueller e.K., 2010. Print. Read More