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A national Girl Scout survey reveals regular reality TV viewers differ dramatically from their non-viewing peers in their expectations for peer relationships, their overall self-image and their understanding of how the world works.

(Chicago) As reality TV shows continue to dominate nightly programming, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, the largest council in the nation, is calling on all girls ages 13-17 to share the "real" realities of their lives on video. Reality Check, an interactive video campaign, is designed to empower girls (Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts) to share the realities of their lives.

Simultaneously, the results of an eye-opening national research survey reveal that 47 percent of girls ages 11 – 17 watch reality TV regularly and perceive it to be an accurate depiction of real life. In fact, girls who regularly view reality TV accept and expect a higher level of drama, aggression, and bullying in their own lives, and measure their worth primarily by their physical appearance, according to the research entitled Real to Me: Girls and Reality TV.

The research shows significant differences between those girls deemed regular reality TV viewers and those who are not. Many girls think these programs reflect reality, with 75 percent saying that competition reality shows and 50 percent saying that real-life reality shows are "mainly real and unscripted."

"From Jersey Shores to Teen Moms, dramatic reality TV shows are now dominating mainstream television. Girl Scouts aims to educate all girls about healthy media choices and provide them with critical skills to make smart decisions that are based on their own lives, and not those of television shows," said Maria Wynne, CEO, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. "We are the voice of girls – Girl Scouts and non Girl Scouts – today. Reality Check helps put each girl's voice into perspective in today's world."

All of the girls who were surveyed believe that reality TV shows promote bad behavior. The vast majority think these shows "often pit girls against each other to make the shows more exciting" (86%), "make people think that fighting is a normal part of a romantic relationship" (73%), and "make people think it's okay to treat others badly (70%)."

Girls who view reality TV regularly are also more focused on the value of physical appearance. Seventy-two percent say they spend a lot of time on their appearance vs. 42 percent of non-viewers, while more than one-third (38 percent) think that a girl's value is based on how she looks.

At the same time, 62 percent of girls say that reality TV has raised their awareness of social issues and causes. And, girls surveyed who regularly view reality TV are more self-assured than non-viewers when it comes to personal characteristics, with the majority considering themselves mature, a good influence, smart, funny, and outgoing.

The "Reality Check" campaign launches with a live, television studio discussion at Columbia College Chicago between a panel of experts and girls about the results of a national research survey on teens and reality TV. Maria Wynne, CEO, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, along with Kasia Pilewicz, volunteer spokesperson, America's Next Top Model contestant and a "fiercely real" model, will serve as the talk show hosts. Reality Check partners, including Columbia College and The Mash, will also share their expert perspectives.

Resources:

http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org
http://www.girlrealitycheck.com