“Någon att komma hem till” : En studie av kärlek och tvåsamhet i Bonde söker Fru

Sammanfattning: In this study, the Swedish version of the reality-TV show Farmer Wants a Wife is analyzed from an MCDA perspective and method, using theories relating to heteronormativity, romantic relationships, and love. The aim of the study is to discover the connections between societal norms, values, and the text and visual material of the show in order to analyze the reproductions of constructs within the discourse surrounding love and romantic relationships. Through an analysis focusing on different aspects of the show's discourse surrounding the subjects, the result of the study is that the show indeed reproduces societal norms. Love is presented as something most people actively look for and want in their life, and that it is worth the pain of finding it. The show also reproduces the idea that adulthood and maturity is something you achieve through a normative romantic relationship and strengthens the understanding that a normative romantic relationship is critical for a person to be conceived as whole. Jealousy is also presented as a sign of true romantic feelings. In addition to this, the show consciously plays on connotations between itself and love stories, and thus the idea that love is an all-encompassing force existing between reality and dreams. Last but not least, the show reproduces the idea that a fulfilled romantic relationship is more important than the active and free choice to abstain from it.