Bachelor Tim Robard's bachelorettes in the wedding race at any cost - but why?

THEY'RE young, educated and beautiful, but the women on The Bachelor have one life goal - a big white wedding.

THEY'RE young, educated and beautiful with the world at their feet, and yet the women appearing on The Bachelor all claim they have just one goal in life - the big white wedding.

Ten's debut season of The Bachelor is already stirring up plenty of controversy. But it's not due to the show's ridiculous premise, or even the heavily scripted content - it is the 25 single women literally throwing themselves at one good looking and reasonably successful male on national TV.

The majority of these young women are no fools - among them is a doctor, an accountant, a criminal lawyer, a child psychologist - and yet all we see as viewers is a household of desperate women proving they will do whatever it takes to catch Bachelor Tim Robards' eye.

Sunday night's premiere was an hour of cringe-worthy emotion as the bachelorettes all fought for one-on-one time with Robards.

To say that possibly the worst version of themselves was exposed to the nation on prime time TV is putting it lightly. There was bickering, back-stabbing and aggression and it was not pretty to watch.

One bachelorette went so far as to snap another's 'first impression rose' out of spite, while another tried to kiss Robards after gushing about their "amazing connection."

And all for the heart of 30-year-old Robards, who has been dressed up in the series as an outdoors-loving successful chiropractor while completely sidestepping the fact that he's also a former adult entertainer and was reported to have been in a relationship weeks before signing on for the gig.

But what has really excited viewers who have tweeted their reaction over the last two nights is that in Australia in 2013 there are young women such as these whose only goal is to get married.

The Bachelor Tim Robards with one hopeful. Picture: Supplied / Ten

thanks to the cast of @TheBachelorAU for regressing the women's movement by decades. Would be mortified if my daughter went on that show.

The man in demand: 30-year-old Tim Robards. Picture: Supplied

Just saw an ad for "the bachelor Australia" and within seconds of meeting the guy on the show one of the woman says " I'm gunna marry him"

Omg these women auditioned to be on The Bachelor Australia without knowing WHO they are going to be vying for the attention of?! /o\

since Master Chef is finished, I thought Id watch The Bachelor Australia, couldnt help but chuckle at the cattiness of the girls

Contestants - some as young as 22 - have been pouring out their hearts to the cameras over the last two nights, claiming to have planned their wedding, children, the works. The fact that the prize is Robards himself appears to be secondary.

So is this really where we're at as a nation of liberated young women? Yes to fall in love is one thing and to want to marry that man another. But to have marriage as your only goal? Surely we are past this.

Have you been tuning in to The Bachelor? Share with us your thoughts in the comments section below or continue the conversation on Twitter. @lottiewillis | @newscomauHQ | @channelten

##