Controversial reality shows such as Geordie Shore are helping divert young Scottish men away from street violence, researchers claim.
Academics say stars of the series – who were filmed having frequent booze-fuelled bust-ups – demonstrated “masculinity that is more refined and aspirational”.
The investigation focused on offenders and was carried out by the University of the West of Scotland and Metropolitan State University in Minnesota.
Criminologists have published their “socio-historical analysis” in a new book, Scotland’s Gang Members.
They discovered that Geordie Shore stars, including Scott Timlin, and Anton Danyluk on Love Island had become role models for gang members.
Researchers also say that the shows have helped to cut violence among young people along with anti-crime projects such as Police Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit.
Their findings revealed that “shows like Geordie Shore, Jersey Shore, Made in Chelsea and Love Island all demonstrate a perma-tan and gleaming white teeth form of masculinity that appeals to the younger generation in Scotland and is the antithesis of young team life”.
Professor James Densley, of Metropolitan State University, said: “What it means to be a man is no longer exclusively defined by local traditions and expectations.
“Young people today have access to many more models of masculinity, some non-violent. While Geordie Shore is full of punch-ups and binge drinking, it also celebrates freedom of expression and a form of masculinity that is more refined and aspirational.”
But Densley also warned that he was still shocked by the level of violence his team found.
He added: “Violence was, by far, the most common theme in the data. In fact, it wasn’t just common, it was constant.
“The quantity and quality of the violent episodes reported to us was, frankly, ridiculous.”
The lecturer said that exposure to violence was one of the primary mechanisms for keeping poor people trapped in a cycle of poverty.
He added: “There is nothing glamorous about gang life. The prospects are grim.
“Street gangs can even evolve into organised crime groups.
“The book is a retrospective look at gang life in the 1990s and 2000s.
“We need to make sure it stays down. This book is a timely reminder of what could happen if Glasgow ever takes its eye off the ball because violence costs society greatly and gangs are both a symptom and the cause of it.
“The book also describes people turning their backs on gangs and crime. It shows that even the worst offenders can change, which is certainly hopeful.”
An ITV spokesman for the Love Island show declined to comment.
The makers of Made in Chelsea at E4 and Geordie Shore at MTV were contacted but were unavailable.
