Similar to many other television programs on air; Jersey Shore is another typical program with sex, drinking, and of course drama! This in my opinion demonstrates gender differences because even though Ronnie cheated numerous times on Sammi, Sammi always forgave him or at least took him back. I think this shows how in society it is more acceptable for men to be promiscuous. However, if you take a closer look Jersey Shore also demonstrates the clothing that women are suppose to wear and how men are suppose to wear, as well as how men and women are suppose to physically look in order to be attractive for the opposite sex. All of the men on this show are "masculine" meaning go to the gym, and dress with baggy jeans etc.. where the girls always go to get their nails done and dress provocatively.
What's sex got to do with Jersey Shore? Everything.
First of all, I want to point out that I love the Jersey Shore. This show definitely is perfect for examining gender differences. I so agree with you about the Ronnie thing, since at the end of Season 3, the tables turned when it was found out that Sammie possibly hooked up with a guy after she loft the house. The think that struck me was that they technically weren't together. Ronnie jumped all over Sammie, bot mentioning at all about his indiscretions and how she might have felt with he feels now. All the guys jump over Sammie. Hilarious!
I will say that I do appreciate Jersey Shore for defying gender differences. The men here do GTL, (gym, tanning, laundry) and no one questions their masculinity. The guys get their hair cut every week, they even get pedicures. The girls are as sexually aggressive as the guys. They bring guys home to Smush and then be rid of them later, they have no shame about what kinds of guys that they want and they go get them. You can write a book about the different ideas of gender that are in this show, I Love It!
I think Jersey Shore is basically centered around sex. Which is pretty obvious if you've ever watched it. It went from a show that was like the east-coast specific version of the Real World to a sure purely based on Jersey kids having sex and getting drunk. Even their Sunday "GTL" (gym, tan, laundry) has to do with sex-- going to the gym and tanning to look more attractive. There are constantly shots of the guys with their shirts off, all of which have big muscles and are attractive. The girls are constantly dressed in few clothes--whether it's their legs or chest showing, or they're walking around in bathing suits. In every episode I can remember watching, someone ends up taking somebody home from the bar to hook up with, or is hooking up with a housemate. All the people in this house are EXTREME examples of traditional gender roles (men muscular, constantly out to get girls; women being sexual, constantly getting tan/doing their hair, nails, wearing form-fitting clothing). I agree with the commenter above that sex has everything to do with Jersey Shore. It's a playful way to look at sex and how it relates to the life of the average 20-something year-old person that's out to have fun and isn't in a committed relationship or serious job. Jersey Shore glorifies fun and the sex that comes with it.