@Ruby Starheart

Not familiar with either of those entertainment e-visuals, however, we are all well aware that 'art' forms come in various tastes and more importantly, to serve various human needs, be it identity, group association, etc.

As social scientists, we are concerned with the creatively expressed promotion of ideas by artful means dramatically staged to challenge opinion and/or provoke purposeful action (Haviland 327), certainly, as with all art forms, these visuals some sociological cultural purpose, maybe ever contrasting purposes. Use your 'sociological imagination' to determine how you relate to them all the while being 'sociologically mindful' to avoid 'cultural-bound' prejudices.

In other words, what can you deduce as purposeful whether good or bad, who or what need might it serve?

The pitfalls are getting catch up in aesthetical interpretation, which is okay to admire what you enjoy as beautiful and/or entertaining.

Haviland, William A. Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge, 14th Edition. Cengage Learning, 20130306. VitalBook file.

@ Kenneth Alexander

Thank you for your response and the reference to Haviland.  Your ideas are along the lines of what I was initially thinking about how to analyse these media, so it is good to have that clearly set out.  I was wondering whether I needed a more formal analysis approach to fully assess all the information (visual, spoken, signs etc) presented in this type of media, given that there are different methods of analysis for visual media.

Just to say a little more about the two media I'm looking at .  They are contrasting.  Benefits Street is an observational reality television documentary which portrays a stigmatized view of people living in one street, the majority of whom are out of work and receiving benefits.  This is one example of the myriad television programmes which have arisen in the UK since the benefit reforms brought on through austerity measures since the financial crash of 2008.  Ken Loach produced I Daniel Blake, a cinema film, to respond to the political and media stigmatization of benefit recipients.  Through fiction he portrays what the benefit reforms are like for benefit recipients and the challenges of the system itself.

@Ruby Starheart

Okay, Ms. Starheart, you got attention now as I find it amazing how 'art' forms are used not only aesthetically, but also to convey worldview perspectives social conditions. And I already have ideas of how you may want to approach your project.  

Unfortunately, I am not currently in the U.S., on extended stay here in mysterious Jerusalem, Israel learning the Holy languages and writing, and I need to take this day for my scheduled writing project.  I hope your project is not time-sensitive. I will look more closely at those media and be in touch in the next 24-48 hours. Very interesting!

 Definitely treating reality series TV shows as case studies could be interesting. Just remember that some of it is staged and some of it is probably scripted. In this case you could analyze the symbolism or the metaphors.   Perhaps symbolic interactionism could be used to analyze how the character uses resources.  You might be able to look at how this show and her experiences could help other single mothers and why.  You could use this reality TV show to analyze how single motherhood is affecting that particular person. Of course you wouldn't be able to generalize the characters experience to all single mothers.

Thanks for your replies and apologies for the delay in responding - I have been dealing with a family bereavement.

@Kenneth Alexander

Hope things are going well in Jerusalem.  If you still have time to look at these media and let me know your thoughts, that would be appreciated :)

@Sandra Kroeker

Thank you very much for your input.  This will really help me engage more fully in the analysis and has opened up more questions for me to investigate :)