glamorization

This term carries a strong critical or pejorative connotation, typically used to describe a deceptive portrayal that masks danger, hardship, or immorality. It is frequently employed in sociological or cultural critiques to argue that a romanticized image prevents people from seeing the grim truth of a situation.

In professional and academic registers, it is often paired with subjects like crime, war, or mental illness to highlight the gap between a polished public image and a harsh reality. It differs from "idealization" in that glamorization specifically emphasizes the allure, prestige, or superficial excitement of the subject.