‘Married at First Sight’ is set to be the next Reality TV show to hit our screens, courtesy of the Nine network.
The extreme social experiment which is modelled on a Danish format, follows the experiences of four men and four women looking to find ‘the one.’ Unlike other dating shows, like Farmer Wants a Wife, and The Bachelor,  participants in the show will meet one another for the first time at the alter, and marry.

Despite the show’s hype that ‘statistic suggest that arranged marriages tend to last longer,’ the show has caused other concerns.

April Murphy from Adelaide, SA, has launched a petition on change.org to stop the reality show from going to air saying ‘this television show is a disgrace. It is morally unsound and should not be aired on Australian television. It is appalling that we live in country that will not support marriage equality but will support a television show such as this!’

To date the petition has attracted over 11,000 signees, with many leaving comments as to why they support the petition.

‘Some of us don’t have the option to marry and this show in my opinion is a slap in the face to those of us that don’t have a choice,’ said Billy Hinves.

‘I believe marriage is a serious choice to make in life and it shouldn’t be luck of the draw! I also support gay marriage and this show spits in their face. Disgraceful!’ wrote Cherie Farr.

Another signee A Shaw says: ‘This is just sickening to think about what we are teaching our children about love, and marrige. Hell even the ‘Bachalor / Bachalorette’ series is bordering on abusive relationships live. I would rather see a show where you follow people of all genders, races, classes fall in love and get married – but we cant in Australia, how about a show that normalises ALL love not just straight love.’

James Rankin agrees stating ‘the idea that people marrying complete strangers for entertainment and/or social experiment while others who have loved and been part of each other’s families for years are unable to marry at all because they happen to be the same gender is appalling and outrageous.’

You can view more comments and sign the petition here. 

What do you think?