Parents' Guide to

The Bachelorette

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Televised search for love has an iffy premise.

TV ABC Reality TV 2008
The Bachelorette Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 7 parent reviews

laineywhite
laineywhite Adult
August 4, 2019
age 18+

I will throw up

Greatly disgusted and massively disappointed in this show - The Bachelorette fails to teach good morals or realistic standards. Unless you want your child to have a false mindset of a relationship, and to be exposed to adult content, then flee from this show. The storyline itself lacks respect - it is not hard to fall in love when placed around a group of handsome men, flown throughout the world to have sex in the most carefree locations, and given a hearty budget to work with. The show is over-glorified and if on the hunt for a show with good/pure intentions and standards, the opposite of the bachelorette is what you need to be searching for. It does not honor Christ in all that it encompasses, and for these reasons - I rate this show this lowly.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
1 person found this helpful.
cheryl52
cheryl52 Adult
June 9, 2016
age 17+

Not about finding love

The first several years of the show were fun, even endearing. The gowns and fashions were beautiful and the personalities and professions were varied and interesting. Now it is nothing but a show about sex, akward at best, disgusting at times, and half the contenders are unemployed. Everything is now focused on the sexual chemistry and how quickly the down your throat French kissing can start.

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Building on the success of long-running reality dating show The Bachelor, this spin-off gives a jilted bachelorette who didn't get the proposal she was looking for on The Bachelor a second chance to find true love among her own pool of 25 single men. In an elimination-style series of one-on-one "dates" and group challenges, she gradually whittles her prospective suitors down to just one lucky guy, who's presumably the man she's going to marry.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (8 ):

Unless you're a sucker for overwrought romance, THE BACHELORETTE is downright difficult to watch. The dramatic drive-ups in a limousine, the emotional rose ceremonies, the dramatically lit mansion with the glowing fireplaces -- it's all a bit much for a thinking person. But one thing's for sure: This show succeeds in preying upon our subconscious desire for fairy-tale endings.

While the bachelorette herself seems to have true intentions, it's unlikely that kids will learn any meaningful lessons from her search -- except that they should never, ever, sign up to become a future Bachelorette contestant.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the success rates of reality shows that purport to help people find "true love." What are the disadvantages to meeting your future spouse on a nationally televised dating show? Are there any advantages you can think of? Do you think the bachelorette's prospective mates are really looking for romance -- or their 15 minutes of fame? What about the bachelorette herself? Do you think her motives for being on the show are 100% genuine?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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