Ever wonder why the word “ratchet” is being used on Twitter and Instagram more than words like intelligent, classy or sophisticated? It has even come to the point where some females feel comfortable identifying themselves as a “clatchet” (a combo of ratchet and classy) rather than just admitting that they want to be great. Truth is, young women are more concerned with red bottoms, nail art, and thousand dollar bags.
These women are spending less time on self education and culture, and more time choosing the perfect filter for their selfies. Why? Because they are looking to live “that life.” That false celebrity life that seems so easy to attain through reality TV.
Who are these girls and young women looking to as empowering role models? Leave it to reality TV and the answer would be teen moms, housewives, socialites, girlfriends or exes. Not to say that these women don’t have an interesting story to tell, but it’s not easy to see any positivity when the footage has been diluted with arguing, hate and sabotage. The only thing left to see is their made up faces, fancy hairstyles and expensive clothes. This is the life that little girls are beginning to think is real.
According to the Girl Scout Research Institute, reality TV is only a set up for failure in your young daughter’s life. It’s been proven that these girls “expect a higher level of drama, aggression, and bullying in their own lives, and measure their worth primarily by their physical appearance.”
Among girls who watch reality TV, 72 percent say they spend a lot of time on their appearance, versus 42 percent of non-viewers. ” Statistics show: These girls who watch more horrible shows about repulsive women being despicable also tend to believe “gossiping is a normal part of a relationship between girls” (78 percent) and “girls often have to compete for a guy’s attention” (74 percent). In addition, 72 percent of girls who watch a lot of reality TV also say they spend a lot of time trying to look pretty (38 percent say that a girl’s overall value is based on how she looks).
In May 2012, President Obama gave a commencement speech at Barnard College. He powerfully stated “until a girl can imagine herself, can picture herself as a computer programmer, or a combat commander, she won’t become one. Until there are women who tell her, ignore our pop culture obsession over beauty and fashion… she’ll think those are the only things that girls are supposed to care about.”
LifeStyleHer is geared toward empowering women to have a positive outlook on all aspects of life. Styling lives from the inside out, founder, Mashonda Tifrere aims to educate and enrich the mind, body, and soul of all women. LifeStyleHer covers a variety of topics including; fashion, beauty, health and wellness, relationship advice, travel and food, arts and entertainment. LifeStyleHer gives women an outlet to experience personal gratitude on a universal level.
