US TV entertainment format reflect their scoiety?

[mids2019]

My family watches a lot of American television on Netflix ,Prime, Disney etc.

I have noticed that a lot of the drama and comedy doesn't quite reflect true American society (especially with teen shows). To my early teen daughter the US seems some sort of cool utopia full of beautiful people with liberal attitudes. In reality the US is a relatively religious conse pmrvative society with views that are I think in contrast to a lot of UK views e.g.gun law, abortion etc.

I really do think teens in their formative years should watch the news to get the real political pulse in the US rather than the slick PR that is presented in a lot of its huge media industry content.

Doesn't in title

I suppose the television shows don't depict real life because they are works of fiction. Scriptwriters write whatever they want to depict.

For example: Latinos, such as myself, make up 19% of the population but are not represented in 19% of fictional television shows. If they are found in a show at all, they are either domestic help, criminals or "undocumented" people. Yes, there are many who live those lives but there's also so much more to us. Scriptwriters like that depiction and that's what is shown on tv.

This happens the other way too. My husband is from England and many people in the US are always a little bit confused that he didn't grow up in London or grow up in a cute cottage village in the Cotswolds, attend a private school like Eton and go to Oxford. They are pretty shocked that he was brought up in a council estate in Greater Manchester, attended a local comprehensive and didn't attend university. The idealized view what is depicted by British television scriptwriters and sent over to us to see.

I understand that you want your children to see news to have a balanced view of the US but there isn't only one view. My experience in my city, in my state and my culture is one view. The issues that are happening in my specific part of the country is not the same as someone from the opposite side of the country. Additionally, news isn't always impartial.

I'm wondering really why you feel you should "balance" the views of the US for your children. That needs exploring.

I think US TV is mainly written and filmed in California so that is reflected in the output.

@elp30 have you watched 'the rookie' and 'the rookie FBI'? I know they are not serious dramas but I have noticed there is a wider spectrum of people depicted.

Niecy Nash-Betts is 50+ not a stick insect and not white, so rare for a main character and so refreshing.

@elp30

I get your points

I suppose 'balance' isn't the right word but perhaps we should aim to make children aware of the nature and politics of America when they digest so much drama from there

For instance my daughter watches a lot of teen drama and it would probably surprise her to know that roe v wade is actively being dismantled as simply such divisive yet important topics don't filter through.

In these dramas no one goes to church for instance yet we know parts of the US are religiously conservative and this is part of US society that isn't really portrayed.

I guess like the UK identity politics is important but I think the US has its own distinct issues and these get highlighted on dramas where an understanding of the politics might heighten appreciation.

It is curious to see th impression of the UK the Americans have but I don't know how much UK drama is viewed there. Do any of our programs link with American TV tastes?

They should watch the wire

@yoga4meinthemorning

My children are a bit young ...

There are some really good US TV series I just feel there is a lot that needs a little understanding of US culture