Television is included in pop culture because everyone owns and uses their television daily. Unfortunately there are many stereotypical television shows broadcasted and rituals are mocked. These shows are reaching younger children and young adults and as a result stereotyping and ridiculing of rituals may increase.
Certain shows, such as, the Jersey Shore, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, South Park, and Family Guy are all great examples of television series that stereotype. The Jersey Shore depicts Italian-Americans as fist pumping Guido’s that only like to drink, tan, and go to the gym. According to Iaconis, his students were not even aware that Guido is an ethnic slur because MTV is promoting the Guido as a lifestyle (2009). The daily rituals, such as, nightly drinking, add to the stereotype.
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy stereotypes sexuality. This show provides an image to the audience that gay men are very fashion forward and flamboyant while straight men are bad dressers. The media in pop culture also focuses on the extreme, flamboyant and feminine gay men and very masculine women (Stossel & Binkley, 2006). Stossel and Brinkley comment that the gay pride parade is one of the rituals that the media focuses on because of the outrageous attire and activities (2006). This only aids in the stereotypical behaviors children and young adults recognize on television.
The show that seems to stereotype everyone is Family Guy and South Park. These shows stereotype gender, sexuality, religion, race, and the physically impaired. These animated series have made crude comments about Catholics, Jews, and Christians, as well as, the Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese. They also joke about
Written Analysis: Rituals and Stereotypes
yearly religious rituals like Christmas, and Hanukah. Although these are not all the stereotypes that occur on Family Guy and South Park it is important to recognize that children and young adults are watching these shows and can be easily influenced to stereotype in the real world.
Although I already knew that stereotypes occurred in pop culture I was unaware of how many shows broadcasted these stereotypical behaviors. I also hadn’t realized that rituals were not limited to religious behaviors. It is unfortunate that certain shows meant to provide comic release are setting Americans back many years.
Reference
Iaconis, R. (2009). Why do young people ignore the stereotypes on Jersey Shore? Retrieved October 10, 2011 from http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/12/17/2009-12-17_why_do_young_people_ignore_the_awful_stereotypes.html
Stossel, J., & Binkley, G. (2006). Gay stereotypes: Are They True? Retrieved October 10, 2011 from http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2449185&page=1
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