How Pop Culture Makes Us Set Unrealistic Friendship Goals

TL;DR

TV shows often depict friendships in unrealistic ways, leading us to have impossibly high expectations for our real-life friendships.

Transcript

had a breakup in the middle of a Wednesday afternoon have a 10 day long wedding celebration to attend feeding randomly low about something completely Indian and need someone to smilingly reassure you for the millionth time not to fear your TV friend is here in mainstream TV shows especially sitcoms a good friend is shown as someone who will either ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💔 On-screen friendships in mainstream TV shows, especially sitcoms, often depict unrealistic expectations of what a good friend should be like.
• 🏠 The first important criteria for on-screen friendship is always being there for each other, no matter the circumstances.
• 🤝 Friendship monogamy is another criteria, where one friend is the center of your social support system or where one group fulfills all your social needs.
• 🎭 Group friendship monogamy can lead to individuals being held within specific tropes, such as the funny one or the cleanliness freak.
• 📺 TV shows can contribute to unrealistic expectations of real-life friendships, which can lead to disappointment when friends don't meet these benchmarks.
• 🎥 Moving depictions of friendships in pop culture embrace the richness and complexity of real-life friendships, including messy relationships and divorces.
• 🐉 "House of the Dragon," "Big Little Lies," and "Frances Ha" are examples of movies and TV shows that portray the complexities of friendship.
• 🙌 It's time to move past idealistic tropes around friendship and embrace the nuanced depictions that allow us to accept friendship in all its richness and complexity.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do TV shows often depict friendships as always being there for each other?

TV shows rely on dramatic storytelling and idealized versions of friendship to create compelling narratives. This often means depicting friends who are always available and willing to support each other, even in unrealistic situations.

Q: What is friendship monogamy in TV shows?

Friendship monogamy refers to the trope where one friend is the central figure in someone's social support system. This means that all of their social needs are fulfilled by this one friend, leading to an unrealistic portrayal of friendship dynamics.

Q: How do TV shows contribute to unrealistic expectations in real-life friendships?

TV shows often create idealized versions of friendship, where friends are always available, willing to play any role, and have no boundaries. This leads to viewers expecting the same level of dedication and support from their real-life friends, which may be unrealistic.

Q: Are there any TV shows or movies that depict friendship in a more realistic way?

Yes, there are TV shows and movies that explore the complexities and challenges of friendship in a more nuanced manner. Examples include "House of the Dragon," "Big Little Lies," and "Frances Ha," which highlight the richness and complexity of real-life friendships.

Answer: Glorifying idealistic tropes around friendship can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment in real-life friendships. It is important to recognize that TV shows often create fictional and exaggerated versions of friendship for storytelling purposes. Embracing more nuanced and realistic depictions of friendship can help us appreciate the complexities and beauty of real-life friendships.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• TV shows often depict friendships as always being there for each other, even in unrealistic situations.

• Friendship monogamy is a common trope, where one friend is the be-all and end-all of someone's social support system.

• TV shows often create unrealistic expectations of friendship, leading to disappointment and dissatisfaction in real-life friendships.