A Sociological Exploration of Perceptions of Femininity on the Reality TV Show Love Island

Abstract

This research explores the perceptions of femininity on the popular reality TV show Love Island from women of two different age groups. The emergence of reality TV in the 21st century has created a new platform which merges with femininity representations and women’s body and beauty ideals. Through two focus groups one with women aged 18-25 and one with women over 40, this study exhibits the influence that the media and reality TV can have on younger women’s perception of femininity and the social ‘norms’of femininity reality TV reinforces.