I reckon programmes like Big Brother are normalising terrible behaviour

[IAteRosemaryConleyForBreakfast]

OK, so behaviour like we're getting used to seeing on BB (Dennis spitting, Alex oozing venom etc etc) is obviously endemic in society because the individuals on the show reflect our culture as it is today. But I do think that seeing TV figures acting in this way contributes to a feeling that it's OK or at least not unusual for a person to behave with absolutely no respect for others.

I sound like a 60 year old Tory-voting member of multiple pointless committees, don't I?

I think what were seeing is normal behaviour when people are cooped up like that. But that is also the point.

Good and bad behaviour is 'endemic' in society.

The spitting hs been very publically punished. You can't send out a stronger message that that kind of behaviour is wrong. I think you have it the qwrong way around.

If people hate the people on BB, they aren't realising that it's a mirror of us all at our best and worst.

I haven't seen this years episode but agree in general. The first lot of housemates behaved themselves fairly well in the same circumstances. They were on the whole respectful to each other. I shudder to think what this lot are like. I am never going to allow my ds to watch it - hope it ends this year.

I think you are so right. I don't watch BB anymore but really think that the agression that is shown on lots of shows - Hollyoaks, Eastenders is awful. People 'slagging each other off' to their faces. IME people don't that often use abusive language + aggressive body language right up to people's faces. eg shouting 'Oi Bitch, leave XXX alone'. I probably lead a sheltered life but I'm sure that most people don't go round shouting at each other. I'm a teacher and really notice children copying this kind of aggresive manner. They see it and think it's normal, cool even. It isn't. Ooooo I'm angry now!

I don't think that actually. I think it is a fairly true representation of how people behave and react today.

Do you remember Big Brother 1 where the biggest scandal was how many men Mel would flirt with while she was in there and Nasty Nick got thrown out for telling a lie?

Times have a moved on and I think it is reflected in the latest Big Brother House. I live in a big city and used to run a bar and I used to see this type of behaviour all the time. BB isn't normalising it, just showing it.

LookingForward gets my point, I think.

It's the normalising thing - TV is meant to reflect society so our kids grow up thinking that life is like what they see on TV, spitting, shouting, swearing et al. They mirror this behaviour and then things cycle onwards. TV 'pushing the limits' is a great crowd-puller but it makes me wonder where we draw the line and what sort of effect it has on future generations.

The point isn't the agression but how it's handled - and it's been handled well imo

TV can influence yes, but not brainwash

I started a thread like this last week (or week before) about Alex. Here

I really believe that the soaps and the 'dramatic' behavoiur they present as a norm has contributed to the breakdown of respect and politeness.

All the mores that developed through time in order that people can live peacefully together, considering the needs of others and believing one is not the centre of the universe have been undermined.

Our local city centre is appalling, the behaviour of people in the local hospital this week has been appalling.

It has been 'normalized' and I have no idea how it can be remedied.

I didn't see that thread before Moomin, thanks.

I agree with your sentiments there.