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Original poster

To worry about how young people feel about love island

55 replies

getmetothebeachplease · 12/07/2021 21:28

Ok don't get me wrong I love love island, watch it every series. However I also feel quite crap about myself while watching it. I constantly think how bad I look compared to the women on there. I'm in my 30s and know that I don't look like that because of my own faults (I bloody love food! Haha) but it still makes me feel very insecure. But once I turn the programme off I don't think about it again and it doesn't affect me.
But I suppose my point is that at 30 I feel like I compare myself constantly to these ladies and during the programme even daydream about
Coming in to some money and being able to afford surgery to look better. But I also know that I can switch off from this and they don't represent the majority of people. What worries me is young people watching this and having the same thoughts but not being able to separate reality tv from real life. As a mother of a boy and girl I worry for both of them that people are being shown on tv to be 'perfect' and yet they still get judged on the programme for not being the most good looking ect. What does this message send?
Like I say I do watch the programme so
I will probably be roasted as a hypocrite but it just worries me for young people watching

OP posts:
boobot1 · 12/07/2021 22:01

@Scrunchies

Gosh I find this surprising. I watch it because I think they all look ridiculous and caricature like and that’s part of the fun.
I agree, they look odd. Not something to aspire too.
malteserheist · 12/07/2021 22:02

www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Self-Esteem

If you want to change how you feel.

DillonPanthersTexas · 12/07/2021 22:04

They all look just weird, stupid fat lips, fluorescent teeth, plastic tits, shit tattoos and fake tans. Watching them wobble around on massive heels with their strappy hungry arse bikinis I am left wondering why some folk aspire to that look like that. The blokes are big lads but don't look like they actually play any sports, they are just gym monkeys for vanity reasons. Collectively they come across as thick as shit. It's fascinating TV in a slow motion car crash kind of way.

MsTSwift · 12/07/2021 22:05

My two (13 and 15) wanted to watch it so I watched it with them. I turned it off and banned it. The older one may watch it secretly but I don’t want to endorse that crap by watching it with them - dreadful. Not sure it’s harmless fun either.

Zampa · 12/07/2021 22:10

You cannot be a feminist and watch this programme

What a lot of nonsense.

Yes, the contestants are selected on their looks but that's only a very small part of it. The most popular contestants are the interesting, funny, clever contestants who win the hearts of viewers with their personality.

There have been some great women on the show, demonstrating positive traits such as valuing careers and female friendships.

It's a show about romantic and platonic relationships that provides key learning points for young people on how to conduct those relationships.

jessyjo2 · 12/07/2021 22:34

When i initially see the girls come in, I always think they look perfect, absolutely stunning appearance. However as time goes on when u see them without make up, how artificial certain features are it actually makes me realise they really aren't perfect. Skin behind the make up no better than the average girl etc. Yes i do think love island is damaging in so many ways but also may make people realise that nobody is pefect behind the make up, airbrushed photos etc.

DillonPanthersTexas · 12/07/2021 22:35

It's a show about romantic and platonic relationships that provides key learning points for young people on how to conduct those relationships.

Its a popularity contest with participants cynically eyeing up the best match that can see them to the end of the show as winners and the lucrative D rate celebrity circus that comes with it. If 'young people' are going to learn anything it is how not to treat relationships as shallow, vapid, duplicitous interactions that can be traded in the moment a better option comes along. Let's not try and pretend its some kind of valuable education programme.

AuntieStella · 12/07/2021 22:39

I watch with my teen DD fir that reading.

She's way more knowing and cynical about it than I am, and can spot the hand of the producers in many of the set up scenes,

I don't think she or any of her friends believes it is remotely realistic, and I don't really think they are outliers - just normal teens brought up as digital natives.

AuntieStella · 12/07/2021 22:41

"Yes, the contestants are selected on their looks but that's only a very small part of it. The most popular contestants are the interesting, funny, clever contestants who win the hearts of viewers with their personality"

I think this is only true up to a point. Because we only see what the producers show us. We don't really get to know their personalities, and we vote on who we like to watch. That may well not be something worthy or edifying, just something entertaining

Haudyourwheesht · 12/07/2021 22:47

@Zampa

You cannot be a feminist and watch this programme

What a lot of nonsense.

Yes, the contestants are selected on their looks but that's only a very small part of it. The most popular contestants are the interesting, funny, clever contestants who win the hearts of viewers with their personality.

There have been some great women on the show, demonstrating positive traits such as valuing careers and female friendships.

It's a show about romantic and platonic relationships that provides key learning points for young people on how to conduct those relationships.

GrinGrinGrin
AuntieStella · 12/07/2021 22:48

@lolacola77

It's toxic. Pure poison. A feminist would not watch this. It's horrible towards men and women and promotes a very unhealthy attitude towards self image and sex.
I agree with the last bit of that - Hugo was pilloried for saying he didn't like 'fake' looks, by those who have had fillers/Botox/boobs done (one saying still in her teens)

But those who liked blondes weren't turned on, nor those who said they liked natural looks. All very peculiar (and probably set up)

(And of course Hugo is the one who has had extensive surgery to correct the club foot with which he was born, and who still walks a little differently - he's got a lot of fans now because the 'mean' girls turned on him)

TeaAndBrie · 12/07/2021 22:49

My DD 15 watches it, if I didn’t let her I know she would secretly watch it. We have open conversations about the themes and outfits and have actually been able to have a good discussion on why they may behave how they do, as well as being able to see how much the producers influence what you see. There is nothing real on reality tv.
We discuss healthy Relationships and respecting your body and the lengths people will go to to get attention, and the fact that the attention can sour quite quickly.
It’s basically big brother with arse cheeks and underboob and in my DDs words they need to stay classy!

Rhinothunder · 12/07/2021 22:50

@Scrunchies

Gosh I find this surprising. I watch it because I think they all look ridiculous and caricature like and that’s part of the fun.
Agreed! They look hilarious!
leonpride · 12/07/2021 22:53

What specifically do you object to? There aren't any sex acts. Examples of misogyny I may have missed?

It's reality TV, it's not much different from any other show. They want young, attractive people on there. It's hot, they wear bikinis and the men go shirtless.

Anyone who feels their mental health and confidence is affected should ideally not watch. The contestants on the show are fairly normal people in swimsuits.

Watchingyou2sleezes · 12/07/2021 22:58

@Hyperion100

Love Island is poison for young minds. That might sound dramatic but its really not.
Agreed.
Zampa · 12/07/2021 23:00

Let's not try and pretend its some kind of valuable education programme

Oh, it's definitely not that. It's light hearted fun. It's also not the toxic poison that others (who've probably never watched it) try to make it out to be.

PattyPan · 12/07/2021 23:11

I don’t watch it because it’s on itv a load of crap. I’m 26. I’m not affected by it and most people I know who watch it seem to treat it as a bit of a joke. Have you tried seeing someone for your insecurities, like a life coach or something, to build up your confidence? I think you need to be more careful how you act insecure (or not) around your DC than worrying about something on tv

whatswithtodaytoday · 12/07/2021 23:25

I find it strange that people want to emulate Love Island contestants, not because they're weird looking (though they are), but because they're thick as shit. Just utterly vacant. I tried watching to see what the fuss was about but they don't say anything, or have any thoughts. They just bimble about gossiping and wondering what people think of them. It was excruciating.

Fair enough wanting to be beautiful, but you need something else as well.

Mistressofnone · 12/07/2021 23:45

I enjoy Love Island. It's nice to turn my brain off after a hard day and watch some young-person antics. A few years ago I would have been envious of the girls on there, but now all I see are normal faces painted and plumped, totally unintimidating.

Imagine how much they crash diet beforehand, knowing they will have to walk around with their bum cheeks wobbling and underboobs on show.

As a teen I used to watch Big Brother and definitely didn't feel heavily influenced to strip & get flirty on TV.

I'd probably watch it with my kids when they're older and make light of the whole thing. Point out the smarter contestants or remark on how sad that an attractive girl feels the need to change her breasts before they have even finished developing etc.

tallduckandhandsome · 13/07/2021 02:21

I tried it once and only lasted 10 minutes. Vacuous TV for vacuous minds. Sorry not sorry!

Crankley · 13/07/2021 02:48

Why would anyone watch such utter garbage?

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 13/07/2021 03:01

I've never watched it but I can imagine what they're all like.
Posing and pouty Clones with no individuality. Its so predictable.

Letthelightoflove · 13/07/2021 03:42

@Woodmarsh

You cannot be a feminist and watch this programme.

I don't want to be a feminist, I'm OK with that

The definition of “feminist” is to support equal rights. No more than that. Are you really ok with not being a feminist? Confused
Classicbrunette · 13/07/2021 03:45

I’m watching it for the first time ever to see what the fuss is all about.

It’s strangely addictive, although nothing happens (except for change of people) the pouting lips, plastic boobs are sad, I mean why would you do that to yourself ?
And the men’s physics are even more worrying to think a youngster has to spend hours in the gym to be acceptable.
And if they are going on personalities in the end, (and I don’t think any of them has a personality) why even bother with the good looks in the first place ?
Why not have a bunch of fat ugly youngsters on ? Maybe there will be one day.

Woodmarsh · 13/07/2021 07:00

@letthelightoflove in its extreme yes, men and women are different, I don't want to be treated equally in every single situation I just want to be treated well

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