This essay aims to investigate how gender is constructed, represented, and reproduced in the reality dating shows Hotell Romantik and Love Island Sverige. Additionally, it explores whether generational differences affect these representations. To investigate this, a critical discourse analysis and a comparative analysis of the programs are employed. Theories used include encoding/decoding theory, gender theory, feminist critical theory, and discourse analysis. Fairclough's three-dimensional framework was utilized to analyze two specific themes: the description of the ideal partner and the selection of a partner. The results indicate that while both programs adhere to traditional gender norms, they also challenge them to some extent. Notably, women in both programs take the initial step in partner selection, contrasting with traditional norms. The study also reveals a strong emphasis on physical attributes among participants, a focus present in both shows that cannot be solely explained by age differences. In the comparative analysis, we found both similarities and differences in the programs that could be related to the age of the participants. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of gender representation in reality dating shows, shedding light on their implications for societal perceptions and norms. Our findings reveal that reality dating shows play a crucial role in the construction, representation, and reproduction of gender, simultaneously reinforcing and challenging traditional gender norms.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-532762 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Rosenqvist, Alicia, Lindén, Johanna |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Medier och kommunikation |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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