The Normalization of Heterogendered Relations in The Bachelor

Publication Date

11-1-2004

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This article argues that the television program "The Bachelor," one of the top 25 shows in the Fall 2003 television lineup in the U.S., normalizes heterogendered relations in contemporary U.S. society. Coined by Chrys Ingraham, heterogender is a concept used to demystify the connection between gender and heterosexuality. In "The Bachelor," heterogendered relations are upheld and reified while remaining strategically opaque. Although reality television (RTV) programming offers the promise of democratic access to the means of media production by making ordinary people into stars, a closer examination suggests otherwise. RTV shows have become the latest and most self-conscious in a string of transparently staged spectacles, which are controlled by global corporate giants that continue to reify social hierarchies to increase consumption and profit.

Publication Title

Feminist Media Studies

Volume

4

Issue

3

First Page

338

Last Page

341

Publisher Policy

pre-print, post-print

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