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Writer's pictureAfton Turner

"It's Time to Talk About 'Dance Moms'... Again"

Updated: Jun 2

Ethical Consumption of Reality TV

Reality TV footage is carefully edited to portray a specific narrative. While fictionalized, it can still offer insights into human dynamics relevant to our lives. Although devoid of the complexities of real life, viewing with empathy allows us to learn valuable lessons about human behavior and relationships.


  • Reality TV, including 'Dance Moms,' should be viewed as fictional due to the significant influence of producers and editing.

  • The carefully crafted public images of cast members do not accurately reflect who they are in real life.

  • Analyzing and judging cast members based on these edited portrayals can lead to unfair public opinions that damage their mental health.

  • Abby Lee Miller's role as both mentor and adversary adds complexity, as she guides the girls towards discipline and resilience, fostering both technical skills and life lessons.

  • By understanding the humanity behind the edited portrayals, viewers can enjoy reality television in an ethical manner, fostering empathy and extracting valuable life lessons applicable to their own lives.


In the mesmerizing world of reality television, 'Dance Moms' shines as bright as Maddie's eyes at the end of a lyrical solo. This cult classic invites viewers to delve into the intricate and compelling lives of elite competitive dancers, specifically highlighting the experiences of the moms. Behind the edited footage and soundbites lies a rich tapestry of human emotions and aspirations. Beneath the carefully crafted storyline, each dancer and mother navigates a unique emotional journey, shaped by their families, dreams, and interactions within the intense dance studio environment.


Season 1 serves as our entry point into this intricate web of aspirations and conflicts, where each mother's goals are deeply intertwined with their personal histories. Melissa Gisoni fervently desires for Maddie to shine as a star dancer, while Christi Lukasiak aims for Chloe to gain confidence and experience opportunities she herself missed out on as a child. Kelly Hyland's pursuit of balance for her daughters and Holly Frazier's quest for Nia's development and acknowledgment add further layers to the complex dynamics at play.


As we analyze these maternal aspirations through a psychoanalytic lens, it's important to recognize the explicit motivations provided by the mothers themselves. Christi, for instance, offers insights into her aspirations for Chloe, driven by her own unfulfilled childhood dreams. She tells us she wants Chloe to experience dance, a passion she herself longed for but never had the opportunity to pursue. In contrast, Melissa's goals remain speculative due to the edited nature of the footage we see. However, she shares with us that she is navigating a tumultuous separation from her husband and diving into a new relationship. Melissa's dedication to Maddie's success may stem from various factors, including a desire to provide stability and fulfillment amidst familial challenges. Through empathy and understanding, we gain deeper insights into the complexities of these mothers' motivations and the profound impact they have on their daughters' lives.



Amidst these aspirations, conflicts inevitably arise, influenced by the influential presence of Abby Lee Miller. Abby's multifaceted role as both mentor and adversary adds depth to the narrative, as she guides the girls towards becoming disciplined and resilient performers. Through her dedicated guidance, she not only fosters their technical skills but also imparts invaluable life lessons, laying the groundwork for their potential careers in dance.




As we journey through the eight-year saga of "Dance Moms," we'll continue to unravel the intricacies of this multifaceted realm, exploring the delicate balance between ambition, interpersonal dynamics, sacrifice, and personal growth. Join us in our endeavor to delve deeper into the psychoanalytic underpinnings of this enthralling reality series, as we strive to uncover the humanity behind the edited portrayals and foster empathy and understanding for the cast members. Through this lens, we aim to approach reality television in an ethical manner, extracting valuable lessons that we can apply to our own lives with empathy and integrity.



Ethical Consumption of Reality TV


It's important to remember that the footage we see is edited and curated to tell a specific narrative that the production team wants us to see. While there are many fictional elements, we can still learn important lessons as we may see similar dynamics in our own lives or even understand why an episode made us feel uncomfortable. Reality TV is not real; the only thing real about it are the humans behind it. Reality television does not account for the intricacies of the human experience. By watching with empathy and understanding, we can enjoy these shows ethically and learn valuable lessons about human behavior and interactions.

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