Finally, a Positive Spin-Off

PHOTO: GirlScouts.com

 Girl Scout Institute recently released a study – Real to Me – that explores the effects of media consumption on girls. And, thank-all-heavens the results aren’t all bad! That’s comforting to know since media has become a huge (and probably lasting) part of our lives. Can I say that the good outweighs the bad? Not quite. But according to research results, media consumption has some very redeeming effects for young girls. Here are the positive findings:

• 75% of girls say that reality shows have inspired conversation with their parents and/or friends.

  Common knowledge has steered us to believe that television consumption causes kids to be isolated and therefore anti-social, so I’m surprised  to see this stat. I guess it makes sense. Naturally young girls are going to be curious about things they see on TV, and go to their parents for explanation. This is a great opportunity for parents to teach girls the distinction between television and real life. It also opens the door to having conversations about regularly televised subjects, like relationships and sex.

• 75% of girls say that reality TV depicts people with different backgrounds and beliefs.

  When I see this, I automatically think of MTV’s “True Life”. It’s a show that documents people going through difficult or different circumstances. Episode themes include, ‘I’m Relocating for Love’, ‘I Have Diabetes’, and ‘I Have a Parent in Prison’. The show documents these issues through the lives of the young adults that are experiencing them. The content can sometimes be mature, but “True Life” is a fascinating example of cultural anthropology. Young girls that watch these shows broaden their view of the experiences, beliefs, and backgrounds of adults throughout America. And, shows like these introduce new ideas and perspectives to 65% of the girls sampled.

• 62% of girls say that shows have raised their awareness of social issues and causes.

  With exposure come awareness. Some shows, like the above mentioned “True Life” gets girls to think about greater social issues. But, it’s important to note that not all reality TV does this. There is no underlying social awareness waiting to be discovered in an episode of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”. Sorry!

• 59% of girls say they’ve been taught new things they wouldn’t have learned otherwise.

  No sex-ed class or “birds-and-the-bees” talk will ever portray the difficulties of teenaged motherhood as potently  MTV’s “16 and Pregnant”. Showing is almost always more powerful than telling. Even if the lesson isn’t particularly new, television has a way of shedding a different light on it. Actually SEEING these girls balance school, motherhood, broken relationships, and dysfunctional families makes the struggle all the more real.