Celebrity Impact: Molding Youth in the Media Era

Introduction

To embark on this exploration, it is crucial to recognize that the allure of stardom doesn't come unaccompanied by a weighty responsibility. Stardom brings not only fame, wealth, and glory but also a profound burden of maintaining mannerism and adopting a cautious attitude. The assertion that celebrities bear colossal responsibilities to act as role models is not to be dismissed lightly. This essay delves into the multifaceted influence of celebrities, primarily focusing on their impact on the youth and the broader societal implications.

Influence on Youth

Living in a media-centric world, it's unsurprising that celebrities are constantly in the limelight, pursued by cameras eager to capture their every move. The most profound influence is exerted on the youth, who often find inspiration in the lavish, colorful, and expansive lifestyles of these figures. The imitative tendencies of young people extend beyond mere emulation of clothing and hairstyles, progressing to the adoption of behaviors. While emulating certain aspects remains tolerable, issues arise when impressionable young individuals mimic harmful activities like smoking and drinking, perpetuating negative trends.

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It's not merely an external mimicry; the youth often adopt the worldview of these celebrities, shaping their thoughts and ideas accordingly. Young women, for instance, may expend substantial sums on dressing like their celebrity idols, succumbing to a consumerist culture that values appearance over substance. T-shirts adorned with celebrities' names and pictures become more than clothing; they become symbols of emulation. Young boys and girls may find themselves aspiring to be the next Leonardo DiCaprio or Angelina Jolie, expecting their partners to mirror the behaviors of their celebrity role models.

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Media's Role in Youth Influence

This inclination of young people places a significant responsibility on both the celebrities and the media. Celebrities must comprehend that their every move is scrutinized with curiosity and avarice. Consequently, they ought to embody symbols of honesty and welfare. The media, as the intermediary, plays a vital role in amplifying the influence of celebrities. Interviews, often read with keen interest by the youth, provide insights into the personal aims and attitudes of celebrities. Young individuals observe celebrities closely and mimic them in every facet of their lives, sometimes even eclipsing the influence of parents, teachers, and well-wishers.

Hence, the responsibility of celebrities extends beyond public appearances; they must exhibit trustworthiness and honesty in their private lives. The impact of their attitudes can be more profound than the collective wisdom found in books and lectures. In an era dominated by media, where trends are blindly followed, celebrities wield immense power to make a positive impact on today's youth.

Media Role Models Have a Huge Influence on Kids

As our children enter middle school, they naturally begin to seek social cues from their peers, looking for what's deemed socially acceptable or desirable. The choice of role models becomes crucial, and while parents instinctively guide this choice, the pervasive influence of media, or "the other parent," cannot be understated. Kids may spend more time with media than with their parents in today's 24/7 media environment, and positive role models become paramount.

Just as parents choose friends for their children, they must also guide them in selecting positive media role models. The competition between parental values and media influence intensifies during adolescence, a stage characterized by a natural separation from parental influence. Yet, media, with its vast reach, can shape values that may conflict with those parents wish to instill. The characters and personas kids idolize can significantly impact their behavior, creating a necessity for careful curation of role models in the media they consume.

Negative Influence of Media Role Models

The influence of media extends beyond traditional television, reaching children through various platforms like YouTube, video games, Twitter, and music. The characters gaining popularity through these channels don't always boast stellar role model credentials. Smoking, for instance, is portrayed as cool by media stars, with studies revealing a doubling of the odds of kids starting smoking due to exposure to pro-tobacco marketing and smoking in the media.

Negative role models, especially those avoiding consequences for their actions, can inadvertently encourage anti-social behavior, perpetuate stereotypes, and even endorse cruelty. Recognizing this, parents need to actively guide their children toward positive role models who promote healthy choices, respect for others, goal achievement, and discourage anti-social behavior.

The Need for Role Models

The intrinsic human inclination to look up to others and make them role models manifests early in life. As children, our closest individuals, be it parents or elder siblings, assume superhuman aspects, becoming our initial role models. This innate need for role models continues into adolescence, with peers, cool kids in the neighborhood, and celebrities becoming influential figures.

While the idea of having a celebrity as a role model might initially seem questionable, considering the prevalent negative stereotypes associated with them, it's essential to remember their humanity. Celebrities, despite their fame, are people with both positive and negative aspects. While some may not be fit for the role model designation, there undoubtedly exist celebrities who exemplify the traits and characteristics worthy of emulation. It's a nuanced perspective that recognizes the potential positive influence of certain celebrities.

Celebrity Role Models

Despite the prevalence of negative attributes often associated with celebrities, it's crucial to acknowledge that positive role models within the celebrity realm do exist. The key lies in discernment - recognizing that celebrities, like anyone else, possess both virtues and vices. The responsibility, therefore, falls not only on celebrities to project positive behaviors but also on society to critically evaluate and uplift those who genuinely serve as commendable role models. In doing so, we contribute to shaping a generation that navigates the complexities of life with wisdom and integrity.

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Written by Noah Jones
Updated: Jan 18, 2024
Keep in mind: this is only a sample!
Updated: Jan 18, 2024
Cite this page

Celebrity Impact: Molding Youth in the Media Era. (2017, Jan 19). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/celebrities-responsibility-to-act-as-role-models-essay

Celebrity Impact: Molding Youth in the Media Era essay
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