What is Love? Part Deuce

In this post, I’ll focus in on how “That 70’s Show” could be a strong influence to a viewer’s opinion on courtship. The show connects with its audience through its hysterical antics and by arousing striking similarities between relationships in the 1970’s and today.

There are several on going relationships portrayed in this show. The most prominent is that of Eric Foreman and his next door neighbor Donna Pinciotti. After that would be the relationship of Eric’s parents Red and Kitty Foreman followed by the various and ever changing relationships (romantic or not) between Fez, Hyde, Jackie, and Kelso.

If you have seen the show even once, you probably remember the relationship between Eric and Donna. Eric is a kind of goofy guy. He’s tall and skinny with light brown hair. Most of his personality stems from the imbalance of having a strict father, and a very loose mother. Donna is a VERY laid back girl because she realizes that her parents are REALLY strange. They cheat on each other frequently and aren’t the smartest apples in the tree. She’s tall, has long red hair (which she dies to blonde towards the end), and dates Eric through most of the series. Now that you’re familiar with the characters, let’s see how they can have an affect on one’s opinion of what a high school relationship should entail.

Eric and Donna have been dating on and off since late middle school. They THINK they are in love and frequently speak about having sex. While some audience members see nothing wrong with this practice, some may disagree. A high school aged audience member could be STRONGLY influenced into having sex after seeing this show. After all, Eric and Donna have been together for years, they have lots of friends who are also having sex, and they all seem to live perfectly happy lives.

In Donna’s senior year, Eric buys her a promise ring. When Donna refuses to wear it, Eric dumps her. What kind of message does this send to an influential audience member? If you don’t get what you want in a relationship you should break it off, or maybe if the other person in a relationship is too committed the bond must be broken. There is no concrete answer, but without a doubt story lines such as these can really cause one to examine their relationship.

I am just cracking the iceberg on the potential influence of “That 70’s Show”, but it’s a good example of how a simple television show can have an impact on one’s view of courtship.