Parents need to know that this dating show is to parent show The Flavor of Love what The Bachelorette is to The Bachelor -- only cruder and more cringe-inducing. Through contests and conversations (most of which are accompanied by drinking and some sexual activity) one woman chooses a boyfriend from a group of 20 bachelors. Her choices are often based on extremely superficial characteristics. While most of the lessons to be gleaned from the show are simply immature, some -- like choosing a mate because he likes to drink a lot -- are borderline dangerous. The show features crass humor, wild behavior, excessive drinking, and highly sexual scenarios. Intense homophobia is at play, particularly directed at the effeminate, caricatured male personal assistant.

Families can talk about dating and relationships. What do teens and parents see in this show that goes against their beliefs about dating and relationships? What purpose does a series like this serve? Is it just meant to be a guilty pleasure? For parents: What are your thoughts about the dating process? Do you have ideas about what kind of person is right for your teen? For teens: What do you look for in a potential boyfriend or girlfriend? Do you think those criteria will change as you get older?