To worry about how young people feel about love island

[getmetothebeachplease]

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

And the men’s physics are even more worrying to think a youngster has to spend hours in the gym to be acceptable

Sadly steroid abuse by young men is a growing problem where taking shortcuts is a an attractive temptation. I often get the sense that while they are big lads they would be crap at sports. I am heavily involved in the coaching side of my sports club and I have lost count the number of times some Love Island esque gym monkey rocks up to the rugby training ground with an arrogant swagger only to see them blowing out their arses 10 mins later as they have zero aerobic fitness and the smaller lads are running rings around them.

@NonShallot

I don't think the issue is how these men and women look and how it might affect the self esteem, its more about how it is a horrific exercise in objectifying misogyny. The gaslighting and bitchiness that goes on in this program is horrifying.

You cannot be a feminist and watch this programme. What sort of example is this setting to the younger generation? The only way to get a partner is to look and act a certain way, that performing sexual acts on TV is okay, that its alright for men to judge women and rate them according to their looks? Hard pass, thanks.

I've only just started watching it, I've always been anti this lind of crap TV but actually I quite like it. It surprised me how familiar this is. Its like fast forwarding through single/dating life and seeing what people are actually like - shallow and selfish. Looks rarely are a compromise for most people. But its nice seeing the funny people get a chance because they are funny. I don't know anyone with false boobs or lips or even false nails for that matter. I've always been a bit 'why would you do that?' and seeing the girls on there speaking and laughing about it made me feel differently. Of course they want to be beautiful, everyone does. Its nice seeing the girls have friendships too, something I struggle with in life. I feel like I can take away alot from this 'shit show' thats quite valuable, for instance help and pointers on interacting with women. I have a dh and children already so not too bothered about talking to the boys but its also nice looking at how obvious it is to outside viewers peoples feelings are. even when they are trying to hide those feelings. Something to reflect on. Also it is just a bit of fun isn't it? I rolled my eyes at a boys comments about a girl not wanting children and wanting her to be a sahm (?) but then I realised that he's fine to want that. I wanted that for myself and its not necessarily as sexist as it sounds. Makes sense when you think about breast feeding and siblings.

Although I do agree its sad that lovely looking girls are chopping their faces but I also think that may be more about the competition rather than the prize if you know what I mean.

when the presenter and 2 contestants killed themselves I was all for axing the show. but after actually watching it I think its not as bad as I first thought.
fuck off goggle box tho

The definition of “feminist” is to support equal rights. No more than that. Are you really ok with not being a feminist?

So... you can be a feminist and watch love island? Thanks for clarifying.

I get what you mean OP.
I have daughters and nieces in their 20's/30's and they all feel down after watching love Island.
I feel sorry for women these days. The standards they are held to. Needing on point eyebrows, fake tans, size zero figure, big boobs, etc. Just to be seen as 'beautiful.' The prettiest women I know are not perfect physically but they are natural and proud of that. Love Island gives a screwed perception of what beauty is.

@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.

Sorry, and I'm talking nonsense?

'Key learning points for young people on how to conduct those relationships'

I would be utterly horrified if my DD emulated any of the behaviours on this programme, or indeed allowed any man to treat her how some of the men on this show treat those girls. This is NOT how relationships or friendships should be conducted and I seriously worry for anyone who thinks that this is okay.