Netflix’s ‘Down For Love’ exploits rather than entertains.

Reality “dating”⁢ shows‍ have a way of distorting reality,‍ appealing to our baser instincts and turning the relationship between exhibitionists and voyeurs ⁢into a profitable⁣ venture. These​ shows have already had a negative impact​ on our understanding of romance and​ human sexual relationships, but the latest addition to this genre, “Down for Love,” takes it ⁤to a new low by exploiting people with Down syndrome.

Headlines promise that ⁤”Down for Love,” which has made its way into the Netflix top 10, will “restore your faith in dating shows.” While some individuals​ with Down syndrome and their families might find it​ charming, as the father ​of a young man with Down syndrome, I find it offensive that a television show would exploit the vulnerabilities of ⁤these individuals as​ they⁣ strive⁣ to find meaningful relationships. Reviewers claim that it is different​ from other​ dating shows that thrive on ⁢making participants uncomfortable, but ​dating and relationships in the ​21st century are complex⁢ for everyone, especially⁣ those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

I am acutely aware of my son’s natural desire for relationships and intimacy, but I also understand his limitations in comprehending the true meaning of these‍ desires and successfully acting upon them. Pope St.​ John Paul⁢ II eloquently addressed this in his 2004 message to participants in the International Symposium on the Dignity and Rights of the Mentally Disabled ‌Person.

“The care of the emotional⁤ and sexual dimensions of ​disabled persons⁣ deserves special attention. This​ aspect‍ is often ignored, glossed over, reduced, or even dealt with ideologically. Instead, the sexual⁤ dimension ​is a fundamental part of being⁤ human, created in the image of the God of Love and ‍destined​ to find fulfillment through connections and communion with others,” said the pope.

So, does ​”Down for Love” have‌ an underlying ideology that ⁣exploits individuals with Down syndrome? It is fair to assume that the⁢ show genuinely aims ⁣to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome are just like everyone ​else in ⁢their desire to ‍form meaningful⁣ connections. However, this ​is where⁢ the​ distortion‌ of reality⁢ TV​ becomes apparent.

In the 21st century, typical dating couples don’t require their ⁣parents⁢ to chauffeur them on ‍dates ​or⁢ nervously cheer​ them on ⁤in the background as romantic music‌ swells, heightening expectations. John Paul II acknowledged that “disabled persons find themselves at a​ disadvantage when it comes to fulfilling these ⁤legitimate and natural needs.” His‌ observation ⁤is wise and accurate.

Depending on the extent of an individual’s impairment,⁤ autonomy and‌ consent, ⁢which are crucial for successful Catholic relationships and ‌essential for marriage, may be disadvantages that are difficult to overcome,⁤ even for ​the most capable individuals with Down syndrome. My son lacks the capacity for both autonomy and consent. ⁣This brings me to my next point.

“Down for Love” ​exploits the ⁢abilities of more capable individuals with Down​ syndrome while glossing ‍over⁣ the challenges they face. ⁣Similar to its predecessor, “Love on the Spectrum,” the show conceals the difficult circumstances of those who are ‍less capable. In the case of autism, this⁢ means individuals​ who are non-speaking, cognitively ‍disabled, and sometimes prone to aggression.

I’m curious about the motives of viewers outside the Down syndrome community, but ‌I have⁤ no doubt about ​the motives⁣ of the producers. Nothing gets produced on television without‍ the promise of financial gain. “Down⁢ for Love” and other shows⁣ like ⁢”Love on the Spectrum,” “Born this Way,” or “The Undateables” fail to depict the complete picture of‍ how individuals with disabilities struggle to find employment ‌or how they and their families navigate‍ medical issues ⁤and educational opportunities. These shows focus solely⁤ on what sells—their challenging and‍ sometimes clumsy attempts ⁤to, as Pope St. ‍John Paul II said, “find fulfillment in⁤ the encounter with others.” This seems to ⁣blur the line between genuine interest ‍in a person and what borders​ on ⁣circus‌ entertainment.

The exploitation of individuals with disabilities has a long history, ⁣from court ⁢jesters to festival sideshows to⁣ the present⁢ day. There is a performance‌ group called⁣ Drag Syndrome, which also plays on the name Down syndrome, and​ it is​ a⁤ horrifying abuse of these individuals. As ⁤the name suggests, people with Down syndrome ‍are dressed ⁢up and paraded on stage in drag, creating what has been ‍described as “a sexually exploitative ⁣nightmare that⁤ is the equivalent ​of a turn-of-the-century freak show.”

In their quest for recognition, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and their⁢ families as⁤ well, can easily ⁣be persuaded to compromise their human dignity for the amusement of​ others. This is a kind of Faustian ​bargain in which the devil always wins.

As Catholics, we are called to challenge the shallow and pessimistic attitudes that have infected our​ society’s understanding of sexual ⁣relationships. This is particularly important for the most innocent souls entrusted‌ to our care. Human ​relationships hold⁣ great significance ⁤for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their efforts to navigate the complexities of relationships should not‍ be reduced‌ to mere‍ entertainment that ‍turns ⁤vulnerable individuals‌ into objects ​of salacious amusement.