Many are familiar with MTV’s program Road Rules, and on this cast they have a young man with ADD…The way the program protrays people with ADD is giving America a terrible idea of the disorder. I have ADD and I am upset at what is being showed on the TV. They show the young man without taking his medication and acting like a monkey in public. The rest of the cast memebers are telling the guy to take his medication, when it’s at 11pm. As most people know that if a person who has ADD takes their medication late at night, they will not be able to fall asleep and will be up for the rest of the evening. Also if the guy was to take his medication earlier in the day, it would take about 20-30 mins to kick in. The rest of the cast doesn’t understand what ADD is. They assume it is a problem where people are hyper bouncing off the walls and can’t pay attention. The cast and producers of Road Rules and very inncorrect and are just sterotyping the ADD population even further. I suggest who ever reads this post to watch Road Rules, trust me it’s going to be re-aired on MTV many times over the week. I would like to hear how others feel about this show. Thank you for taking time to read my post… G :)
Re: MTV -- more influence than people realize!!
I agree with Georgia. I don’t think people realize the impact that shows like “The Real World” and “Road Rules” have on young people. Why do you think they are into season number 10?? Kids do not just watch those shows and understand that it is a set up by the producers to create “good” telelvision. I think maybe an adult sees it for what it really is but a 14 or 16 year old kid does not. They see someone not taking there medicine, acting stupid, and enforcing a negative stereotype to America.
I have a brother who was diagnosed this year with LD’s and I know how he does not want to be singled out by his peers. He realizes that they do not know or understand what is happening with him. Some times he does not understand. So when a show comes on and they portray someone with a learning disability in such a manner it hurts young kids, like my brother, who already are being teased and tormented.
I think we can’t stand for this type of show because all it does it create more stereotypes and myths that people with LD’s must fight to dismiss.
Dawn
Re: MTV -- more influence than people realize!!
Tv does have a lot of influance of children. I did a communication research project on 90210’s portrail of LD. I found that those with LD’s self estem is often hurt by TV portrails and those who know nuthing of LD are educated some but not enough they are left asking if there is a cure for it. TV needs a real portrail of LD and I hope someday to help write it.
Did you also notice that there are no normal people on MTV? I think that people watch those shows to get hyped-up reality, along with a good dose of stereotypes. I think that most people also see it for what it is, so I wouldn’t waste much time worrying it. Do you think that they would do a show about functional people who are not terribly attractive who get up and go to work every day and don’t hook up with everyone in sight?