Living Happily Ever After?

Abstract

This analysis examined the depiction of stereotyped gender roles on the reality television shows The Bachelor and The Bachelorette to determine if gender stereotypes are reinforced within these shows. This study found a lack of stereotype reinforcement in that non-stereotypical behavior patterns were most prevalent among both males and females in the "contestant" role. However, stereotype reinforcement was confirmed in that women were more likely to be younger and thinner than men, gender-stereotypical behaviors were more prevalent than not among individuals in the bachelor/ette role, and a female positioned in the more traditionally "male" role of the bachelorette still remained more stereotypically "feminine". Also notable was the reinforcement of patriarchic heterosexuality by a male-initiated marriage proposal in the so-called "feminist" The Bachelorette. Overall, gender stereotypes were portrayed as normal and desirable, and female stereotypes continued to persist over male.