We are educated by the entertainment

media, even if unintended by the source

and unnoticed by the audience (Singhal &
Rogers, 1999)

Data consists of four RTVs

- Beauty and the Geek Australia Season 1
- The Bachelor Season 15
- The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 2
- Wife Swap U.S.A Season 6
All of the shows are imported Parental Guide
Recommended (PGR) classified shows.
Except for The Bachelor Season 15, these
shows were/is aired on New Zealand TV.
Different genre types of RTV such as reality
game show, dating, docusoaps and lifestyle
change.

Discourse analysis.
Focus questions in analysing the text.
- Is there a standard for female beauty?
- How are the female characters in the show being
positioned?
- How are they dressed?
- What kinds of activities they are engaged in?
- What are the characteristics of women that are being
emphasised?
- What kinds of language are used to describe
women?
- Is there any prominent depiction of patriarchal gender
role?
- Are the moral standards expected of women higher than
the men?
3 episodes were selected for every show and the guide
questions were used in the analysis.

Although the RTVs are of different types, they

are all a form of heteronormativity
normalising the heterosexual relationships.
None of homosexual relationships are
portrayed.
The female characters observed in the RTVs
dress provocatively making them the
commodities to increase the ratings of RTVs.
Whether they are wearing dresses or jeans
with tops, most of the time, their clothes are
tight-fitting and revealing. High heeled shoes
and make up are also put on.

The recurrent characteristics of women

portrayed in the RTVs are negative such as
shallow, emotional, materialistic and
spiteful.
The language used by the male characters
to describe the female characters is
stereotypical and sometimes degrading.
In order to embrace hegemonic masculinity,
the male characters subjected the female
characters to conservative gender roles as
the ultimate cook, carer and cleaner.

Government could formulate a policy that

imposes rules and restriction to prevent the illtreatment of women in the media especially in
RTV.
The censorship authorities should be strict in
classifying the RTVs and granting permission for
broadcast.
The media could produce more gender free
programmes and RTVs.
Parents should monitor their childrens TV
viewing.
A curriculum that teaches children to be media
wise could be developed.

Anonymous. (2009). Beauty and the geek Australia season 1.

[Television series]. Sydney: Seven Network.
Anonymous. (2010). Wife Swap U.S.A Season 6. [Television
series]. Manhattan: ABC
Fleis, M & Levensen, L.(Producers).(2009).The Bachelor season
15. [Television series]. Manhattan: ABC
Arvind, S. &Rogers, E. M. (1999). Entertainment-education:a
communication strategy for social change. New Jersey:
Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc., Publishers.
Toth, R., Haselton, V., D'Agostino, L., Diaz, N., Barcellos, C.,
Cohen, A. & Levine, S. (Executive Producers). (2010). The real
housewives of New Jersey season 2. [Television series]. New
York: Bravo.