The Bachelor Embraces the American Fairytale

American society has come a long way over the years to a place where all are equal, but gender stereotypes are still very much alive and in some sense even embraced. Despite being constitutionally equal to A. Areias 1 5 men, Women are not always viewed this way by society the reality television show, The Bachelor, is the best example of this inequality, proving that many women still prefer a fairytale ending of being saved by Prince Charming to equality in romantic relationships. On the show, "women agree beforehand to claim [the bachelor], sight unseen, as their ideal spouse."[1] The bachelor has the absolute power in determining the outcome of the women's future. "[B]y far the most successful of the group (and the model for the rest), ABC's The Bachelor."[2] Even in the spin­off series The Bachelorette, when the roles are reversed and the woman holds the power, weak audience ratings make it clear that society is not as accepting of a "Princess" Charming.