Reality TV and Society

Social Identity on Television Keeping up with the Karashians is a reality television program that illustrates several different aspects of social identity as it is conceived of and witnessed in the United States today. One of the most salient factors of social identity that is regularly evinced on this particular television show pertains to notions of class. In fact, one can posit the notion that the very premise of the show is that it allows viewers to literally watch the life and times of those who are exceedingly rich.

Social identity is represented in Keeping up with the Karashians as wealth and fame, as the most eminent members of this show inadvertently are. From the show's inception, as well as the inception of many of its more notorious characters, wealth and fame have featured fairly prominently in its depiction of reality. Almost all of the major characters have enjoyed wealth and fame for a good part of their lives.

Robert Kardashian, the father of the daughters who function as the main characters of this program, became famous as an attorney for O.J. Simpson (an occupation which also helped to contribute to its wealth). Robert was eventually replaced as the patriarch of this family by another famous, wealthy personage: Bruce Jenner. In addition to growing up with wealth themselves, most of the daughters on the show have married wealthy personages including athletes and musicians.

In this respect, the show's depiction of social identity as being rooted in wealth and fame is a trend among reality shows. An excellent example of this fact is found in Donald Trump's success in the reality show The Apprentice, which many people watched merely to see a profligate, irresponsible wealthy person act disrespectfully towards others-- "a formula that The Apprentice has perfected everywhere" (Mills, 2004, p. 79).

Another notable aspect of the way that social identity is represented on this particular show pertains to what Mills (2004) refers to as a "culture of humiliation." The mores of this culture are somewhat inverted, and celebrate notions of buffoonery, dislike, and disagreeable behavior. This concept directly relates to the Kardashians, particularly as it represents the lives and livelihoods of the three famous daughters in this family.

Because these girls have lived lives of privilege -- a tenet which is intrinsically related to the sort of wealth and fame that they both encompass and which is revered on this program -- there are numerous people that watch it because they dislike them. Probably the best example of this fact is all of the negative attention that Kim receives on Facebook from people who dislike the way she exposes her body to reinforce the fame that is part of her celebrity status.

Finally, social identity is represented in this particular show in terms of wealth and fame because these qualities have traditionally entertained people. Reality television shows are only possible because of the culture of celebrity that is widely revered -- and propagated -- within Western society. One might argue that it is perpetuated because it simply provides a distraction for people. Regardless, the wealth and fame that engulfs most of the characters on.