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The Real Housewives of New Jersey

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring Caroline Manzo, Dina Manzo, Danielle Straub, Where to watch: Bravo, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    More of the same "reality," this time in the Garden State.

Themes in this show include:   family relationships, friendship, materialism

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Lots of materialism and pettiness on display. The show promotes lots of stereotypes about "New Jersey girls" and Italian Americans. The women go to Atlantic City to gamble.

  • Role models:

    The series' subjects are all wealthy and materialistic, but some are more down to earth than others. They also place great value on family and motherhood, but some of them treat their kids more as friends than as children. Some of the women value their own education; others don't. The women are Caucasian, and the majority of them are proudly Italian American.

  • Violence:

    Lots of arguing among the women, ranging from catty exchanges to all-out yelling, screaming, and minor destruction of property. Sometimes husbands get into the act as well.

  • Sex:

    Some kissing. Conversations about "boob jobs" (often referred to as "boobies"), as well as explicit discussion of phone sex and other specific sexual behaviors. Danielle posts naked pictures of herself on the Internet; she's accused of being a former prostitute. Caroline's youngest son wants to open a "classy" strip club.

  • Language:

    Words like "whore," "bitch,""ass," "douche," and "balls" are audible, while stronger curse words ("s--t," "f--k") are bleeped.

  • Consumerism:

    The women spend their money on high-end items like La Perla underwear, Gucci jewelry, and expensive cars (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Range Rover). The Manzo family is the owner of The Brownstone, a well-known and exclusive New Jersey restaurant.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Lots of drinking (wine, champagne, mixed drinks) during meals, cocktail hours, and other social gatherings. Danielle is subtly accused of being involved in drug smuggling.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Parents need to know that this installment of the Real Housewives franchise follows the same formula as its predecessors. Material wealth and social status vie with raising children and maintaining relationships, and, true to form, lots of high-end brands (Gucci, BMW, etc.) are prominently featured. Expect lots of catty arguing, strong language (though the worst is bleeped), and drinking, as well as some rather explicit discussions about sex. The series also feeds into existing stereotypes about Italian-American families and women from northern New Jersey.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the popularity of the Real Housewives "brand." What's the appeal of these shows? What kinds of messages do they send about consumerism?
  • Do you think people really want to be like the women in these shows? What would be the hardest part of living like them? The easiest?
  • Do you think the show is stereotyping elite communities to make the show more entertaining, or are they just showing “real people” as they truly are?
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