Impact of Reality Television Shows on Expatriate Indians in Sultanate of Oman

The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of reality television shows. The objective is to examine the impact of reality television shows among the expatriate parents and children. A sample of 50 households is taken for the study from Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman. The analysis revealed that mothers are more aware of the negative effects of reality shows than fathers. Parents feel that television reality shows help participants to showcase their talents and also to earn quick money. Among the children boys are highly aware of negative effects of television reality shows than girls. It is also found that there is a difference in the preference of channel, reality shows, viewing time between boys and girls.


Introduction
A television program that present impulsive, emotional or "humorous" situations and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors in a contest where a prize is awarded is a reality show.Reality television shows portrays a modified and highly influenced form of day-to-day life and sensationalizes to attract viewers and increase advertising revenue.The success of reality shows and its popularity among the viewers can be attributed to the following: Illusion of reality: Television reality creates a fabricated world of illusion in which competition/game is played out and filmed and aired.Participants are often placed in exotic locations or abnormal situations, and are often persuaded to act in specific scripted ways by off-screen "story editors" or "segment television producers".
Humiliation appeal: Viewers derive pleasure from the misfortunes of others.Reality shows satisfies the desire of viewers to peep into the personal lives of the contestants participating in the television reality.It also provides an opportunity to see others humiliated and enable them to connect it to their unfilmed personal lives.undermines these values and instead misleads children into violence, sex, smoking, cussing, disrespect for women, multiple sexual partners, premarital sex, fighting and dressing in a revealing style (Josephson, 1995).Children of the modern day take cues from these and apply them in their lives.Age appropriate reality shows are seldom viewed by children.An American child who watches an average of three hours a day of children's television programming will see 4,380 acts of altruism and 15,330 acts of violence each year (Wilson, 2008)."Early exposure to age-appropriate programs designed around an educational curriculum is associated with cognitive and academic enhancement, whereas exposure to pure entertainment and violent content in particular, is associated with poor cognitive development and lower academic achievement" (Kirkorian et al., 2008).
Reality television includes several subgenres, including talent competitions, dating shows, real-life shows, and makeover shows.During the past decade, reality television shows have regularly dominated the top 10 television show ratings.(Coyne et al., 2010).Nonetheless, research on reality television has been sparse.Some investigators have examined the issue of reality television viewing and appearance concerns.In one study, researchers found that watching cosmetic surgery programs increased disordered eating attitudes in women with pre-existing thin-ideal internalization but not other women (Mazzeo et al., 2007).In another study an author considered the impact of cosmetic surgery focused reality programming and found that such shows had little impact on body image but did promote positive beliefs about the benefits of cosmetic surgery (Nabi, 2009).The effects of such shows are probably not alarming but may have some subtle influences.Young adults are more likely to wish to alter their appearance through cosmetic surgery after having seen cosmetic surgery reality programming (Markey & Markey 2010;Markey & Markey, 2012).Other research has suggested that reality television connectedness (ie, feeling as if one relates personally to the show content) correlates with a focus on one's appearance (valuing physical appearance as a major facet of self-esteem), although did not relate to academic performance (Markey & Markey, 2012).Another study indicated that viewing reality dating shows predicted adversarial sexual attitudes, a focus on one's appearance, and sexual double standards, but these correlations were mediated by viewer engagement (Zurbriggen & Morgan, 2006).Negative outcomes were related more to viewers' desires to learn from the shows and beliefs that they were entertaining and valuable rather than from direct exposure.Dating programs did not predict real-life sexual behaviors of viewers.Other research suggested that watching dating shows was related to discussions of sex among teens, but not their expectations for dating relationships (Vandenbosch & Eggermont, 2011).Several recent studies have suggested the uses and gratifications approach is particularly useful in understanding the effects of reality television (Papacharissi & Mendelson, 2007;Nabi et al., 2006).The study conducted by University of Michigan provides adequate proof that Reality TV shows have resulted in a change for the worse.A serious disadvantage of reality shows is that they do not take into consideration the emotional wellbeing of the contestants.It lays abnormal levels of stress among contestants and even a single negative comment and score from the jury can demoralize them.

Statement of the Problem
New age children do not live life their age.The reason for this is mass media and the contents of the programs aired through these media.The modern age has seen a boom in the television industry especially with the onset of reality television shows.These shows basically have pros and cons.The pros are information penetration, enhanced creativity and innovation in entertainment, employment opportunities for the people behind the reality television shows, awareness on social issues and so on.The cons include children imitating vulgar gestures, watching adult content, listening to abusive language, creates rift in the family relationship, resorting to adventurous/dangerous game shows, placing importance on materialistic pleasures than value systems (Josephson, 1995).This is more so on the viewers of Indian channels abroad due to lack of social networking opportunities, lack of familial and cultural orientation in a foreign land, double income groups not able to orient their wards appropriately, insecurity, shift from reading habit to viewing and listening habits, nuclear families, weather conditions, lack of other entertainment avenues.All this has not only widened the scope and reach of reality television shows but also has its own positive and negative effects on the society at large and in particular Indian expatriates living in Oman.There has been enough studies on impact of reality television shows on society but impact of reality television shows on expatriate Indians living in Oman is not been carried out and to that extent this study is relevant.

Objectives of the Study
 To assess the impact of reality television shows among the expatriate parents.
 To analyze the degree of impact of reality television shows on their children.
 To assess whether there is any gender influence in the impact of reality shows among parents and children.
 To understand the viewing habits of children related to reality shows.
 To evaluate channel and reality television programs influenced by the expatriates.

Methodology of the Study
The study was conducted in Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman among the Indian expatriates.A sample size of 50 households is selected for the study at random.33 parents and 17 children from both the gender were chosen for the study at random.The study duration was from September 2013 to September 2014.Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire.Analysis of data was carried out by rating scale.The levels of impact were found by using the formula mean (+-) standard deviation.Coefficient of variation was used to calculate consistency and reliability of variables.Chi-square analysis was used to test the hypothesis.

Opinion of Parents
Among the sample respondents from parents 94% were in the age group 31-50.45% of the respondents were males and 55% of the respondents were females.85% of the respondents were employed and 15% were home makers.Only 3% of the respondents were educated up till secondary school and the rest of the respondents were either graduates or have acquired higher education.67% of the respondents were married and 30% of the respondents were married and with kids.91% of the respondents are with their family staying in Oman.

Television Viewing Habits
31% of the respondents have been viewing television programs for less than 3 years.51% of the respondents have been viewing television programs for three to 12.However, 18% of the respondents view television programs for more than twelve years.49% of the respondents watch television programs during leisure hours to pass time.Only 21% of the viewers watch television programs to improve knowledge and 12% of the respondents view for educative content on television.55% of the respondents view television programs during night hours and 24% of them view television programs in the evening.

Impact of Television Reality Shows
The impact of reality shows on adult television viewers based on gender is analyzed through the Parents strongly opine that television reality shows help participants to showcase their talents and also to earn quick money.Females like to watch television shows and reality shows more than males who opine that it is waste of time, energy and man hours to watch reality television shows.Male respondents strongly feel that some reality television shows goes against their moral principles and only focus on television rating points and revenue generation through commercials.Celebrity judges appearing on reality shows are less influenced by males.
The consistency and reliability is very high for the variable "reality television shows help participants to showcase their talent".Among all the variables stated in Table 2, this is the most consistent variable that impacts the viewers in Nizwa.However, consistency and reliability is very low for the parameter "reality shows often fulfills my desire to see humiliation of others publicly and their reaction".Among all the parameters stated in Table 2 this is the least consistent variable that impacts the television viewers.22% of the female parents have high level of awareness on negative impact of reality shows on themselves which is greater than the average (18%) while only 13 % of the male parents have awareness on the negative impact of reality shows.The following hypothesis is thus framed and tested.Ho: Awareness of negative impact of reality shows is more on mothers than fathers.The calculated value of  2 (0.6) is less than the table value (5.99) at 5% confidence level with 2 degrees of freedom.Hence it is concluded that there is a significant difference between male and female parents on the impact of reality shows.Thus it is proved that male parents are less aware of the negative impact of reality television shows than mothers.

Impact of Reality Shows on Children
The opinion of parents regarding the impact of reality shows on their children is shown in Male parents strongly feel that television reality shows are a mere waste of time and energy and also have a deteriorating effect on their children as is evident from Table 4.In spite of the high level of awareness of the negative impact of television reality shows among the female parents, they would allow their children to participate in reality television shows to showcase their talents and enhance visibility.Female parents strongly feel that these shows enhance the awareness on current and social issues in their children.The female parents feel the influence of celebrity judges on their children is medium while the male parents feel that the influence of celebrity judges on their children is low.
The consistency and reliability is very high for the variable "reality television shows have a deteriorating effect on my children".Among all the variables stated in Table 5, this is the most consistent variable that impacts children according to parents' opinion.However, consistency and reliability is very low for the parameter "children seek solution through television reality shows for personal problems".Among all the parameters stated in Table 5, this is the least consistent variable that impacts children.

Effect of Reality Shows on Children
The opinion of parents, whether reality shows had impact on their children is revealed through this analysis.The average score for males (3.01) is greater than the female parents (2.91).To test whether there is any gender difference in impact of reality shows on children the following table is prepared and tested.17% of the female parents opine that the negative impact of reality shows on children is higher than the average (12%).The opinion of male parents (6.5%) is less than this average.The following hypothesis is thus framed and tested.Ho: There is a significant difference between male and female parents regarding negative impact of reality shows on children.The calculated value of  2 (2.72) is less than the table value (5.99) at 5% confidence level with 2 degrees of freedom.Hence it is concluded that there is a significant difference in opinion between male and female parents on the impact of reality shows on children.Thus mothers feel that the negative effect of reality shows on children as high.

Analysis of Responses from Children
There are 17 teenage respondents out of which 9 (53%) are boys and 8 (47%) are girls.Their responses are also analyzed in detail as follows.From the Table 7 it is revealed that 78% of the males are regular viewers which are greater than the average (47%).Similarly 88% of the girls are occasional viewers which are greater than the average (53%).Hence the following hypothesis is tested.Ho: There is no difference between gender and frequency of watching television.
The calculated value of  2 (7.24) is greater than the table value (3.84) at 5% confidence level with 1 degree of freedom.Hence the null hypothesis is rejected and it is concluded that males are regular viewers and females are occasional viewers.Out of the sample respondents 24% opined that there are no restrictions by parents when they watch television.76% of them stated that there are restrictions in watching television sometimes from their parents.78% of the boys are restricted sometimes whereas only 75% of the females are restricted sometimes which is less than the average (76%).Similarly 25% of the girls are not at all restricted to watch whereas 22% of the boys not restricted which is less than the average (24%).Therefore the hypothesis is tested.Ho: Boys are more restricted in watching television that the girls.The calculated value (0.018) is less than the table value (3.84) at 5% confidence level with 1 degree of freedom.Hence the null hypothesis is accepted and it is confirmed that boys are more restricted by parents in watching television than girls.53% of the teenagers prefer to watch reality and television programs alone.It is clear that 56% of boys and 50% of girls prefer to watch their program alone.41% of them opined that they watch with their parents.13% of the girls prefer to watch with their friends.Thus the following hypothesis is tested.Ho: There is a difference is gender in watching television.The calculated value of  2 (1.2) is less than the table value (5.99) at 5% confidence level with 2 degrees of freedom.Thus it is concluded that boys and girls have their own preferences to watch television alone, with parents and friends.Table 10 reveals that the prime time for watching television programs is in the evening and night.59 % of children prefer to watch the program in the night.44% of the boys prefer to watch television in the evening which is greater than the average (41%) and only 37% of the girls prefer to watch in the evening.67% of the girls prefer to watch in the night which is greater than the average (59%) and only 56% of the boys prefer to watch in the night which is less than the average.Ho: There is a significant difference between gender and television viewing time.The calculated value (0.084) is less than the table value (3.84) at 5% confidence level with 1 degree of freedom.Hence the null hypothesis is accepted and it is confirmed that boys prefer to watch in the evening and girls prefer to watch in the night.23) 1 ( 11) 1( 11) 1 ( 11) 1 (11) 0 9 Girls 0 1 (12.5) 1 (12.5) 2 ( 25) 2 ( 25) 1 (12.5)1(12.5) 8 Total 3 (17.5) 3 (17.5) 2 ( 12) 3 (17.5) 3 (17.5) 2 ( 12) 1 ( 6) 17 Note.Values in parenthesis shows percentage.
From the table 11 it is clear that 33% of the boys watch sports channel.12.5% of the girls watch discovery channel compared with boys.25% of girls watch music channel and food channel than the males.Boys watch entertainment channel more than girls.This analysis shows the various channels watched by children.The various reality shows children are exposed are revealed through Table 12.37.5% of the girls watch Masterchef and 33.5% of the boys watch the same.It is found that boys (33.5%) watch Bigboss than the girls.None of the boys are interested in dance reality shows, whereas 25% of the girls are interested in dance reality shows.But both genders show equal preference in watching music shows.This analysis thus revealed their inclination towards watching their favorite reality shows.This analysis is calculated based on a rating scale where the negative effects of television and reality shows are rated by children.11% of boys state that the negative effect of television and reality shows is high.88% of girls stated that the negative effect is medium.12% of girls state that the negative effect is low.None of the girls mentioned that the negative effect as high level.Ho: Boys are more opinionated about the negative effects of reality shows than girls.The calculated value of  2 (0.94) is lesser than the table value (5.99) at 5% confidence level with 2 degrees of freedom.Hence the null hypothesis is accepted and it is concluded that boys are highly aware of negative effects of television reality shows than girls.Female children opined that television reality shows do not have deteriorating effect on them or their friends.However it tends to imitate the behavior of participants in reality television shows, while on the contrary they responded that they do not get influenced by the participants in the reality television shows.Female children do not subscribe to the view that reality television shows are a cause of obesity or that the parents try living their lives through them, they moderately seek solutions from reality television shows for personal problems, and it fulfills their desire to see the personal lives of participants.Male children opine that the television reality shows are the cause for moderately deteriorating them and their friends, imitating the behavior of participants in reality television shows, making their parents to try living their lives through their children, get influenced by the participants in the shows.Male children strongly feel that reality television shows; are a cause of obesity in them, would help showcase their talents and also fulfills their desire to see the personal lives of participants in the shows.However, the male children do not seek solutions for personal problems from the reality television shows.The consistency and reliability is very high for the variable "I discuss with my friends and seek advice to watch a particular reality show".Among all the variables stated in Table 15, this is the most consistent variable in the responses given by children.However, consistency and reliability is very low for the parameter "Parents in the present day are trying to live their lives through me".Among all the parameters stated in Table 15, this is the least consistent variable according to the responses given by children.

Findings of the Study
Parents strongly opine that television reality shows help participants to showcase their talents and also to earn quick money.Mothers like to watch television shows and reality shows more than fathers who opine that it is waste of time, energy and man hours to watch reality television shows.Male respondents strongly feel that some reality television shows goes against their moral principles and only focus on television rating points and revenue generation through commercials.
17% of the female parents opine that the negative impact of reality shows on children is higher than the average (12%).The opinion of male parents (6.5%) is less than this average.It is proved that there is a significant difference in opinion between male and female parents on the impact of reality shows on children.
The awareness of negative impact of reality shows is more on mothers than fathers.Mothers are fully aware of the negative affect on their children participating in the televisions reality show.11% of boys state that the negative effect of television and reality shows is high.88% of girls stated that the negative effect is medium.It is concluded that among the children boys are highly aware of negative effects of television reality shows than girls.
Among the children, boys are regular viewers of reality shows and females are occasional viewers.Boys are more restricted by parents in watching television than girls.Boys and girls have their own preferences to watch television alone, with parents and friends.Boys prefer to watch more in the evening and girls prefer to watch more in the night.
33% of the boys watch sports channel.12.5% of the girls watch discovery channel compared with boys.25% of girls watch music channel and food channel than the males.37.5% of the girls watch Masterchef and 33.5% of the boys watch the same.It is found that boys (33.5%) watch Bigboss than the girls.None of the boys are interested in dance reality shows, whereas 25% of the girls are interested in dance reality shows.

Conclusion
It is very obvious that the younger generations of the present day are fed with values that are contrary to their physical, emotional and social wellbeing.They are exposed to deteriorating demonstrations and displays in the mass media and internet.The modern day parents are the most cursed lots as all their efforts to facilitate their wards go in vain by the excessive and extreme penetration of inappropriate content into fragile minds.

Recommendations
 Mothers are well aware of the negative effects of television reality shows.In spite of that if they want their wards to participate in it then the motivation is only the prize money offered by the television reality shows.Therefore, the prize money offered by television reality shows will have to be banned at least for participants who fall under the category of children.
 Viewers intending to participate in television reality shows will have to be subject to thorough medical checkup and fitness certificate from a competent medical body will have to be obtained in accordance with the nature of the television reality.
 The age limit for the participants will have to be mandatory.
 School going children will have to be barred entry into television reality shows as it has deteriorating effect on the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of children.
 Parents of the participants and potential participants will have to be educated/oriented with regard to the long term consequences of the negative effects of reality television shows.
 If the intention of the parents of the participants and potential participants is to showcase talents of their children, then such parents will have to mandatorily sign in the disclaimer form stating that they will not expect any monetary benefits for the same.
 Children should be given awareness regarding the impact of reality shows.Parents can play a major role in providing adequate information to their wards.
 Extracurricular activities should be encouraged at school level and by parents to sharpen their psychological minds.
 Cultural competitions, sports events are to be organized for the children by social bodies and organisations to give more external exposure to the children.

Table 1 .
Opinion of technological and social change (values in %) Change for the better No change Don't Know Change for the worse Source: Boyse, 2010, University of Michigan.

Table 1 .
Table .1.1.The impact is categorized as low, medium and high based on the formula Mean + or -standard deviation.The average for males is 2.97 and the standard deviation is 0.Level of impact of watching television reality shows 61. Variables with more than 3.58 are categorized as high; less than 2.36 are low and score between 2.36 and 3.58 are classified as medium.Similarly the average score for females is 2.90 and standard deviation is 0.56.Values above 3.46 are classified as high; less than 2.34 are categorized as low and score between 2.34 and 3.46 are classified as medium.18 Reality television shows does no good for anyone except producers.Medium Medium 19 I would grab an opportunity to participate in a reality television show.Low Low 20 Reality shows often fulfills my desire to see humiliation of others publicly and their reaction.Medium Medium 21 Reality television shows fulfills my desire to peep into the personal lives of contestants and helps me connect it with my unfilmed personal life.Medium Medium 22 I get influenced by the celebrity judges in the reality television shows Low Medium 23 I get influenced by the participants in the reality television shows.Medium Medium 24 I seek solutions for my personal problems from television reality shows.Low Low 25 Television reality shows creates awareness on current and social issues.Medium Medium

Table 2 .
Coefficient of variation of the impact of reality shows on viewers 4.1.3Impact of Watching Television and Reality ShowsThe average score for males (2.97) is greater than the female parents (2.90).To test whether there is any gender difference in impact of reality shows the following table is prepared and tested.

Table 3 .
Gender and impact levels of reality shows

Table 4 .
The average level of impact for male parents is 3.01 and the standard deviation is 0.42.Variables with more than 3.43 are categorized as high; less than 2.59 are low and score between 2.59 and 3.43 are classified as medium.Similarly the average level of opinion for female parents is 2.91 and standard deviation is 0.21.Values above 3.12 are classified as high; less than 2.70 are categorized as low and score between 2.70 and 3.12 are classified as medium.

Table 4 .
Level of reality shows impact on children

Table 5 .
Coefficient of variation of the impact of reality shows on children

Table 6 .
Gender and impact levels of reality shows on children

Table 7 .
Frequency of watching television Note.Values in parenthesis shows percentage.

Table 8 .
Restriction by parents to watch television

Table 9 .
Watching reality television shows

Table 10 .
Television viewing time

Table 11 .
Favorite channel

Table 12 .
Favourite reality show Note.Values in parenthesis shows percentage.

Table 13 .
Level of impact

Table 14 .
Impact of reality shows based on responses from children

Table 15 .
Coefficient of variation of the impact of reality shows based on responses of children