MTV’s Jersey Shore Won’t Exploit Violence Against Women… Except When It Does

Unless you live in a lead-encased cave, you’ve heard all about the punch that decked Snooki, the tiniest cast member of MTV’s controversial new reality show, Jersey Shore. After showing the punch in previews for episode 3, MTV high-mindedly redacted the blow from the actual episode, and ran a PSA-style disclaimer at the end of the show.

“Violence against women in any form is a crime,” the message began, followed by information about getting help for domestic abuse. Scenes from the next episode followed, including this example of MTV’s new commitment to preventing violence against women:

So, the takeaway is what? That violence against women in any form is a crime, but girl-girl action is too good to pass up?

I got roped into watching this series as part of a writing assignment, but as a lifelong Jersey boy, I’ve continued to watch this trainwreck in my back yard. The show has drawn the ire of many Italian-Americans for its depiction of cartoonish “Guido” stereotypes, and angered many Jersey Shore boosters for its choice of the worst hellhole at the shore for a location.

What surprises me is that it took a punch in the face to raise concerns about the show’s treatment of women. While I would risk being called “Sherlock” for observing the meat-market aspect of the show, what struck me in the first few episodes was the sexual slang that these guys use.

The show specializes in the creation of catchy, often hilarious phrases. One character, Mike,  has nicknamed himself “The Situation,” a reference to his abs. In episode 3, Ronnie tells Sammi that he was beginning to feel strongly for her by saying, “I was about to put you in the equation.”

But when it comes to sex, these guys say they’re going to “pound her out.”

What? Are you having sex, or preparing a cube steak?

They even say it in front of the girls, who don’t miss a beat.

I get that there are all sorts of crude, aggressive terms for sex, but this one is about as sexy as saying, “Yeah, ‘Situation,’ I’m gonna put the lotion on its skin!”

MTV can laugh all the way to the bank all they want, but they can stick their concern for women up their blurred-out area.

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.