Mar 3, 2010
Why this cross-dressing fever on TV?
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
AS AN avid fan of Singapore television programmes, I am disheartened to hear some negative feedback during home visits over Chinese New Year. The recent spike in the popularity of cross-dressing, promoted in the media, seems to have sparked controversy as to whether it could have a negative psychological effect on the younger generation.
The emergence of the comical Auntie Lucy in Paris and Milan has indeed brought joy and laughter to the general audience, including me. It seems fair then that the occasional appearance of such peculiar characters in the show adds life and colour to otherwise mundane TV programmes.
However, the recent appearance of crossing-dressed characters in sitcoms, such as The New City Beat, evokes a sense of deja vu - the familiar outlandish parading of a man with fake boobs and mascara, and in this week's episode, a woman with a moustache and a flat chest, but with a change in name.
The islandwide broadcast of these primetime variety shows, the inevitable appearance of these 'actors' and 'actresses' in public for filming and the showcasing of these characters in roadshows and charity events seem to support the claim among the older generation that the media, in its efforts to bring itself closer to the public, displays gratuitous cross-dressing scenes that are hard to accept.
It is reasonable to suppose that the rise in publicity of cross-dressing, in the name of entertainment, could subconsciously manipulate the minds of the young and possibly encourage them to emulate such acts, just as studies seem to show a correlation between violent behaviour in growing children and time spent on playing violent games and watching violent TV programmes.
This naturally worries parents, simply because adults believe they are better able to detach their minds at will. We can allow ourselves to be absorbed in a show and find ourselves back in reality when the show ends. But can young people take what they see with a pinch of salt or will those images be imprinted on their innocent minds, and have an adverse effect on their growth in both body and mind? Should cross-dressing then be encouraged in the media since the intended witty effects may backfire?
I believe parents will feel more at ease if MediaCorp could look into this significant topic of debate before deciding on the degree at which cross-dressing is so daringly publicised. It is important to note that I do not mean to besmirch the revered name of our media giant with this feedback, but rather propose that measures be carried out in time to mitigate the psychological effects such publicity could have on our still conservative society.
We look forward to more quality programmes that suit both the young and old, as the laudable Life Transformers has done, with the frankness and directness of its hosts, that touch audiences' hearts and create an awareness of the needy among well-off Singaporeans.
Eugene Low
<!-- story content : end -->
Why this cross-dressing fever on TV?
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
AS AN avid fan of Singapore television programmes, I am disheartened to hear some negative feedback during home visits over Chinese New Year. The recent spike in the popularity of cross-dressing, promoted in the media, seems to have sparked controversy as to whether it could have a negative psychological effect on the younger generation.
The emergence of the comical Auntie Lucy in Paris and Milan has indeed brought joy and laughter to the general audience, including me. It seems fair then that the occasional appearance of such peculiar characters in the show adds life and colour to otherwise mundane TV programmes.
However, the recent appearance of crossing-dressed characters in sitcoms, such as The New City Beat, evokes a sense of deja vu - the familiar outlandish parading of a man with fake boobs and mascara, and in this week's episode, a woman with a moustache and a flat chest, but with a change in name.
The islandwide broadcast of these primetime variety shows, the inevitable appearance of these 'actors' and 'actresses' in public for filming and the showcasing of these characters in roadshows and charity events seem to support the claim among the older generation that the media, in its efforts to bring itself closer to the public, displays gratuitous cross-dressing scenes that are hard to accept.
It is reasonable to suppose that the rise in publicity of cross-dressing, in the name of entertainment, could subconsciously manipulate the minds of the young and possibly encourage them to emulate such acts, just as studies seem to show a correlation between violent behaviour in growing children and time spent on playing violent games and watching violent TV programmes.
This naturally worries parents, simply because adults believe they are better able to detach their minds at will. We can allow ourselves to be absorbed in a show and find ourselves back in reality when the show ends. But can young people take what they see with a pinch of salt or will those images be imprinted on their innocent minds, and have an adverse effect on their growth in both body and mind? Should cross-dressing then be encouraged in the media since the intended witty effects may backfire?
I believe parents will feel more at ease if MediaCorp could look into this significant topic of debate before deciding on the degree at which cross-dressing is so daringly publicised. It is important to note that I do not mean to besmirch the revered name of our media giant with this feedback, but rather propose that measures be carried out in time to mitigate the psychological effects such publicity could have on our still conservative society.
We look forward to more quality programmes that suit both the young and old, as the laudable Life Transformers has done, with the frankness and directness of its hosts, that touch audiences' hearts and create an awareness of the needy among well-off Singaporeans.
Eugene Low
<!-- story content : end -->
