"Ew! The Bachelorette?" Now before you start putting labels on those who enjoy this love-based reality show, just think for a minute about how you are approaching it. Have you seen a major portion of the show? Besides the overall concept, do you know any details? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, consider yourself a biased and unreliable source for any type of analysis of the show. I do not watch "The Bachelorette" often or religiously. I have however, seen enough of one season to form a well-rounded opinion, in which instinctive and overly emotional views do not impulsively enter the scene. Regardless, the show does elicit some controlled and reasonable concerns in which feminist views are quite valid. I will be pessimistic today, concentrating predominantly on the various, dangerous arguments the show makes. Because believe me, there are many.
          So let's start with the "bachelorettes" themselves. Women on "The Bachelorette" are thin, tall, and sexy, qualities that men apparently adore. They wear tight, revealing clothes while surrounded by guys with eyes glued to them. Their rippling hair cascades down their shoulders, and their faces are made up in a 'mesmerizing' way, highlighting their best facial features. Unfortunately, this is how all the bachelorettes look, due to the socially accepted definition of beauty, and even more severe, the ideal woman. By establishing such a criteria for a perfect woman, men's values become skewed. This is seen in "The Bachelorette"'s interviews with the male contestants. The guys have the opportunity to speak to the camera, presumably to detail how much they love the bachelorette. Almost always, a reference to her 'stunning' beauty is made, whether it be about her hair, her face, or her clothes. But let's think for a while. Is this really what a woman is? Desiree, a bachelorette, was an interior designer. This achievement, however, was not acknowledged by the men. Instead, they complimented her on her beauty and her clothes. On the show, we see relatively little respect given to her intellect or accomplishments, and more given to her body and sexual temptation.
          Let's now talk about men. The contestants on the show are muscular, handsome, and sexy. With this flawed depiction of manliness, the idea of the perfect man becomes extremely limited. As a result, the men, like the women, are not usually characterized by their intellect or talent. They instead become objects of the women, who can decide which mixture of good looks and charms is best. This is ironic, and is an interesting spin on the feminist lens, though it is the same in concept. Even in the show's talent show, many of the men sexualize themselves by taking off their shirts and bearing their muscles. This generates a favorable response from Desiree, who later, when asked to review the show, comments that the boys were hot.
           We also see standards for love being created. What is true love? According to the show, it consists of intimate kissing on an Antigua beach, and going on planned, manufactured dates in the Alps. The TV show, aimed at young, love-crazy women, gives a false notion of what true love ought to bring. Expectations for love are raised significantly with every glance of the romantic settings, and many girls eagerly search for their buff, sweet, but nonexistent Prince Charming. In addition, the show perpetuates the shallow and materialistic idea of true love. By vising scenic places and by kissing intimately in the sunset, the viewer begins to think that such is true of all love, and they begin to desire it. Relationships, however, are not so easy, and there are several aspects of love that don't have to do with expensive limos and grand vacations, which are unfortunately overlooked. The fact that the couple barely knows each other certainly doesn't help either. Values like commitment, time, and simplicity are rarely shown on "The Bachelorette", and are therefore dismissed by those searching for that perfect love. The men are more concentrated on getting the rose than building a stable relationship with the girl. Surprisingly (this is sarcasm), this is false. Love does not simply come to a girl. She must run across it.
              The show also enforces a stereotypical view of the rich. Expensive limos, glittering dresses, and fantasy vacations are all the scene. This perpetuates the notion that the rich are self-absorbed, pampering themselves with all the wonderful things their money can buy. Is this stereotype true for all rich people? Of course not. But this is true of every episode on "The Bachelorette". T-shirts and standard automobiles are extinct. As a middle-class audience, we are forced to wonder- Has a rich girl on the show ever once played it simple? Does this mean that all rich people live lavish lives, filled with unnecessary extras?
               So "The Bachelorette" makes some pretty absurd arguments about societal definitions, most of which we as individuals disagree with. I hope those who watch this show will watch it sparingly as light entertainment, but we know that's improbable. Media have those sneaky ways to subconsciously infect our minds whether we like it or not.