Non-Hegemonic Messages on Reality TV: Gender, Race and Ethnicity among Russian Jewish Immigrants

• In Event: 512 - Section on Sex and Gender Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 17. Gender and Media Discourse

Abstract

In the last 8 years, Reality TV has reached enormous popularity among various groups of viewers. Unlike other forms of media, the Reality TV producers argue that this form entertainment gives viewers access to people’s lives “as they are.” Does this mean that the images we see are less stereotypical and controlling of women and minorities? How does Reality TV represent groups whom the public knows little about? To answer the above questions, I conducted content analysis of a Russian Reality TV show, “Russian Dolls” 1st season, aired on Lifetime channel. I find that in most cases, the “Russian Dolls” TV show does not portray women in controlling images. Instead, it exposes women’s roles as they are stereotypically in the Russian culture. In it, strong masculinity can coexist with strong femininity. Even more so, women are portrayed via their “strength” at work and at home. This is one example in which hegemonic masculinity and emphatic femininity can empower each other. Ultimately, I question what the portrayals of “strong” femininity in a Russian Jewish culture may tell us about masculinities and femininities more broadly among ethnic minorities. Reality TV has a potential to be an important window into more positive portrayals of women, yet as of now these images continue to reinforce social inequality, although in much more conflicting ways.

Author

• Ilana Demantas, University of Kansas