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Wife Swap (ABC)

common sense media says

Fish-out-of-water reality show -- fine for all.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series features families living according to others' rules. It can be mildly upsetting to watch when parents are forced to go against some of their dearly held beliefs (albeit only for a week). Arguing is common between "spouses" and sometimes with children. Otherwise, this series is very family friendly and can be enjoyed by adults, teens, and kids old enough to be interested in the concepts it tackles.

Positive messages: A variety of lifestyles appear; some families are more conservative, and others much less so. Kids' behavior may seem out of line to some -- burping loudly, teasing, etc. Not much racial or other diversity, though one episode features a lesbian couple.
Violence: Some minor physical violence between or by kids -- kicking, slapping.
Sex: Discussion of dating practices.
Language: Nothing major -- "stupid," "I hate you," etc.
Consumerism: Brands are generally blurred out. No other obvious commercialism.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Wife Swap

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what it would be like to switch households. What changes do you think someone else would want you to make? What would be the most difficult thing to change about your family? What things do you wish would change? What's the best thing about your family that you would want to introduce to others?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The provocatively named WIFE SWAP is actually a fairly tame reality drama in which families switch wives for two weeks. During the first week, the wives live according to their new family's rules, and during the second, they introduce changes. The two families are chosen for their stark contrasts, and tension and arguments often occur when the wives' style clashes with that of their new family. In one episode, for example, a workaholic mother whose husband takes care of the house and whose kids complain about her constant cell phone use switches households with a stay-at-home mother who home-schools, won't let her teens date, and sleeps in the same room with her husband and all seven of their kids.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

With such extremes coming together, the part of each episode in which the wives change the house rules is always difficult. But it's fascinating to watch as the families are forced to try on new behavior. Much of it chafes, and there's plenty of minor rebellion, but ultimately the wives and their families learn that their lives aren't as perfect as they may think and that a little change can't hurt.

Overall, the show is rather simplistic and predictable, but it can still be enjoyable to watch families grow and learn from each other. Many of the familiar reality-show elements come into play -- the producers clearly accentuate the conflicts through editing choices, and the ending is always optimistic, but it's less gimmicky and confrontational than its competition, Trading Spouses, which is refreshing.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: ABC
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: ABC

This review was written by Sierra Filucci
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13

Most useful reviews by all members

shmulik98
teen, 13 years old
 
SMART GUY MADE THIS ONE UP!
It is a great show! My mom sayd it helps change lives for the better and teaches ppl about things. It is a very goood show! I really reccomemed it!

TimStarz09
teen, 14 years old
 
Really Makes You Rethink Stuff
You'll notice I've put a young age for this show, though I put it as "iffy." This is because the show has some language and name-calling (though most is bleeped out), but it seriously has taught me and some other people some good life lessons on family and lifestyles. I was watching one just today about two families that differed completely. One family had the dad who slept wherever he pleased and the wife got up a around 3 AM to heat up his car, make him coffee and dinner, and other useless stuff. The other one had a mom who treated her daughter and herself like royalty and the daughter had reached a $500 cell phone bill! It has really changed my view on a lot of things. So if you're a parent who likes to teach their kids in an edgy way, pick this.

MikaylaaMadisonn
teen, 16 years old
 
This show totally rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxodrummer1313
teen, 15 years old
 
SO GOOD!
I am twelve and I love this show! Some episodes are better than others, but it is sooooo funny! I would watch it if you are ten and up because it is a MUST SEE SHOW.

cats_are_my_life
kid, 12 years old
 
.
good show

tayswift123
teen, 14 years old
 
little language
I love this show. Only problem is language.

briebrie
teen, 14 years old
 
i watch the show every time it comes on luv it

 
Don't Waste your Time
Wife Swap is a funny, slightly trashy guilty pleasure. There is not a lot of great stuff in these shows, except for the rare one or two episodes where the families really learn something from each other. Most often, though, the swap dissolves into a shouting, drama-filled, tense mess. There is yelling, swearing, trashy and immature behaviour in most episodes (that's where the money is made, of course). It is, however, interesting to see people from different backgrounds live together and teach each other about their views and habits.

aeona
kid, 11 years old
 

 
10 and up, not 5 and up... parents read--
Okay, this is not appropiate for 5 yearolds! Eight and up! But if you let your child see this, and he/she is under 8, dont worry, they most likely dont know the word "bi-ch", so you dont have to worry. People have sexual relationships in this show. Language: "b**ch" "ass" "crap" "D**n" and many others. Violence- people hit and throw things. Social behavior is bad. It teaches kids under eight to get angry with their perents. Now cut the content talk. This show is also good, because this helps perents learn about their kids and how to help them. I suggest this show to anyone over eight. My son is 10 and we both love watching it together because it is funny and a great show. There are no brand names shown. And this is one of my favorite reality shows I ever watch with my son. Kids his age should understand and have the thought to respect their parents for what they're like. That is what the message is (to me). The ending part, the part where the parents talk and fight is the neat part, because that is when something comes out of it, new parenting styles are learned. This show is great and informational to parents. Remember: Eight and up...

 
I like this show, but don't allow my son to watch because first of all it doesn't hold his interest (he's 8) and second of all the show often shows language and behaviors I don't want him to model. If you do let your children I would suggest watching it together and talking about the things that you find acceptable and unacceptable with your kids.

 
Worth watching together
We watch this show with our 14- and 17- year old kids. They are very interested to see how other people live, and how other parents raise their children. The "bad behavior" is evident and our kids get to see people deal with challenges to their lifestyles, parenting choices, and sometimes selfish obsessions. They have learned a lot about what makes families healthy (or unhealthy) and have a better appreciation for the rules we have and the sane way we live as a result. This show is better than a human behavior class.

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