Voyeurism

Voyeurism is defined as 1: one obtaining sexual gratification from observing unsuspecting individuals who are partly undressed, naked, or engaged in sexual acts ; broadly: one who habitually seeks sexual stimulation by visual means. When someone says voyeurism we usually think of this. But there is a second definition - 2: a prying observer who is usually seeking the sordid or the scandalous.

Voyeurism became "accepted" in some forms with the mass production of pornography. Where once pornography as actual photographs was a clandestine, rare find passed eagerly through men's clubs and from friend to friend, pornography is now a part of our everyday life from magazines to movies, even on our television. In a world almost smothered with pornography it is easy to understand why humans may have a hard time being titillated by anything. And we need to be, it is in our nature to crave stimulation both for our brains and our bodies.

But voyeurism does not stop at mere sexual gratification. There are many forms of voyeurism. One common factor is - the person usually being observed is a stranger to the observer. In 1937 a "soap opera" called Guiding Light premiered as the first radio drama. Sponsored by soap companies, the new drama's were aired during the day and aimed at housewives. The soap opera transitioned smoothly to television gaining even more new followers. With actors who remained show after show, viewers became wrapped up in these fictional characters "lives" - lives so much more exciting and dramatic than that of changing diapers, ironing, and housework. People lived vicariously through the roles of their favorite character much as they could through a movie or a book with one difference - the show never ended. Soap opera's were, in some ways...the paving blocks to a new form of voyeurism.

Watching invented dramas was bound to eventually not be enough to stimulate. Now...nothing would do but the peeking insidiously into the lives of real people! Reality T.V. was not a new concept. In 1948 Candid Camera debuted and viewers came eagerly to the show that showed normal peoples reactions to being the object of pranks. These type of "reality" shows became more and more popular but it wasn't until the 1970's with PBS's An American Family , a series done in a documentary style that showed a "nuclear family" (a family consisting of mom, dad, and children) going through divorce, that the concept of modern "reality" television morphed into the "reality" nightmare television has become.

Reality television is to me nothing more than a form of voyeurism - people looking for the sordid or scandalous. Peeping into other people's lives, watching with breath held to see each new fight, or affair, or ugly comment - is voyeurism. The movie The Truman Show" starring Jim Carrey gave a good depiction of how addictive reality television could become. Often, "reality" programming is no more real than the world Jim Carrey lived in on The Truman Show. Ratings are important and drama seems to be the guiding factor in pulling in an audience, and producers will not leave this to chance. If sordid is wanted...sordid they will get.

How big is this form of voyeurism? Obviously...big; for the past month news headlines have been screaming "Will Jon & Kate Divorce?" or "How is Kate taking Jon's Infidelity?" Gosh...whatever happened to "news" being someone bombed someone or something? Ahhh for the good ol' days! For those of you who may not know (pffffttt!) who Jon & Kate are...they are the "real" stars of a show called Jon & Kate Plus 8. I look at these headlines and I think "how pathetic". Not only because it is listed as a news item, but because people are actually watching this couple's rather (to me) boring everyday life with their eight children. Can't you watch your own everyday life with your children??

I understand why a couple with eight children to feed would actually agree to do this show. They have guaranteed their children every luxury possible. But they have also sold their family's privacy. Every laugh, every tear, every emotion has been sold. The precious part of a family is now...precious to every voyeur who turns on this show. And this is only one of MANY "reality" shows playing in people's living rooms, bedrooms and dens. Television long ago quit being entertaining for me and now, it is even less so.

People might ask what is wrong with watching reality television or television dramas. I don't know....what is wrong with peeping through someone's window? Sometimes, as in all forms of voyeurism, the act of observing no longer provides enough stimulation. Knowing this, the producers experiment with and introduce different forms of drama to entice their audience. And as humans will do...they themselves find a way to heighten what they are addicted to. With reality shows, the sometimes blurry line between fantasy and reality become even blurrier and the "show" may start affecting the response to normal life experiences.

Where do we go from here? What is next? In the time period when warfare and blood shed were common and people were almost immune to atrocities...the Gladiator sports rose to a fever pitch of popularity. Public executions thrived as sources of entertainment for centuries. Pornography has progressed from mere drawings of the human body to full fledged depictions of the sexual act in every media form possible. Sexual deviance has turned and twisted until almost nothing is taboo. It is almost impossible to see how much further we can go.

Voyeurs have existed throughout time. But there are also those who have no need to participate in voyeurism and find their joy and stimulation out of doing - not observing. But for those who crave this type of titillation for their senses - there will always be someone who finds a method to feed the need until there is no longer a need to cater to.

Until then, recognize voyeurism for what it is. If someone is an avid watcher of Jon & Kate plus 8, or maybe Little People, Big World - or any of the other "reality" shows - yet condemns the "Peeping Tom" or the purveyor of pornography - they need to understand they too are a voyeur just with a different taste. People observing strangers in acts that should not involve anyone but themselves are - voyeurs. The truth is...the "Freak Show" has just moved into our homes. From prostitutes to sorority girls, little people to big people, musicians to almost dead musicians, couples with too many kids to couples trying to get kids, people trying to potty train their kids (like every parent has not done this before? I of course am holding my hands over my face in complete awe at the moment!)....our televisions have become a not so twisted version of our society. How is this...entertainment? Personally, I would much rather be entertained by things I can only imagine...not by what I can see every single day. But then...I am not a voyeur. I think. Maybe...I just have not found my flavor yet. Have you?

Sources:

GoogleNews

Merriam Webster
Soap Operas