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Putting Celebrities in Their Place: A Discussion

By Christina Mulberry

Pretty much everyone would agree that children learn by example. They observe how others behave and store that image, which either consciously or unconsciously influences what they think, how they perceive the world, how they feel, or how they act. Children observe parents, neighbors, friends, peers, teachers, and others in their environment.

Increasingly however, they observe actors and actresses, as well as the characters they see on TV. The way these individuals behave as reported in the media or the way they behave when playing a character is influential in forming a child's perception of the world, and possibly of themselves within it.

These celebrities aren't just present in TV shows and movies. They are in commericals, magazine ads, blasted across the internet, plastered on billboards, and highlighted in magazines. They may even star in video games and show up on popular social sites online. They grace book covers, book bags, clothing, jewelry items, perfume boxes, and so forth. The marketing of celebrities saturates a child's entire world.

In addition, celebrity news is quickly overtaking traditional news stories in readership. These stories tend to focus on the personal tragedies, missteps, and transgressions of these stars. Most kids can tell you who is dating who, who broke up, what hair style they have, who is in trouble with the law, and so forth. They aren't however, able to tell you the capital of Idaho or who was the 16th president of the United States.

It's not only the fact that celebrities and pop culture are eating up all of a child's brain real estate however that is the problem. In my eyes, it's also destructive that a child's most prevalent role model frequently becomes a celebrity. Not their parents, not a teacher, or even a coach. They spend far more hours observing and learning from various celebrities than from any other individual. And it's not just their talent that kids are watching. They are watching the most audacious celebrity behaviors and actions.

This means that we put a great deal of power into the hands of these individuals whom we don't really select. Many celebrities are talented. They act or sing. Dance or play sports. Or perhaps, they just manage to be sexy and rich. Who knows, maybe they are just an exhibitionist who knows how to get their name out there. At any rate, they aren't necessarily the same people we would choose for our children to emulate.

But nonetheless, that is how it is.

For parents, it is a challenging but achievable task to monitor and restrict what TV and magazines a young child sees. They can filter web content and so forth. But at some point, parents have to begin letting go and expose their child to the world. Certainly, teaching all you can to a child about values, a healthy self concept, and so forth will go a long way.

Unfortunately however, many adults seem to get sucked up into the furor over celebrity news and so forth as well. We worship athletes and follow them unfailingly, we click on celebrity news items every day, and love to discuss their transgressions in forums. A breaking news story about a brush with the law, an ugly breakup, or something similar runs for weeks. These stories run because they get an audience. That audience is what assures that more stories will follow, and that celebrities in general, and particularly at their worst, will gain the attention of our children. We fail to separate the talent of a celebrity from their overall worthiness as a role model. We elevate them by attending to all of this noise. And, we love tearing them down and witnessing their demise as well.

Hitler was a great orator, but you probably don't want him teaching ethics to your kids. Likewise, Serena Williams is a fabulous tennis player but do you want her to teach sportsmanship to your child? Do you really want Hannah Montana to show your 8 year old how to dress and how to conduct relationships with boys because of her ability to sell records?

I'm not suggesting that celebrities are bad or that our children shouldn't enjoy what they have to offer. However, I am suggesting that somehow we should put celebrities in their place. That we would be better off turning the tide and directing more of a child's attention elsewhere. That we help them discover better role models. That we force a leadership change rather than handing it off to the media and the celebrity gossip hounds. Celebrity gossip has always been around and always will, but in recent years it seems to have gotten the upper hand.

Now the question is, how can we achieve this?

PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE

The Influence of Media on Children
A look at the influence of media on kids
www.squidoo.com/influence-of-media-on-children

Thank you for sharing this information, Christina. I really believe that parents need to spent more time actively working with their children. They need to restrict the amount of time their children are using electronics.
Best to you.
Frederick

Parenting is a tough job, but yes, I think parents need to take a bit of control when it comes to how kids spend their time.

Hi Christina, the media is our biggest enemy in today's culture. I couldn't agree with you more!! Thanks for sharing, have a blessed weekend. Happy Easter!

Somehow we need to take back the control that media has in our lives.

This is quite a coincidence. My friend and I just had a conversation about celebrity and how peculiar it is that so much attention is directed to people for what often seems like no good reason. It must be very confusing for children. If parents could help direct their kids' attention toward other role models, surely it would be a good thing.

I guess we need to choose more "local" role models, teachers, coaches, grandparents, etc. It seems if they have a name then the media exposes their every vice and escapade.

One of the things that I find disconcerting about society today is the amount of idolatry people throw at celebrities. The fact is, most celebrities have very little education, and therefore (in my view) people should take their opinions with a grain of salt when they endorse an ideal or a product.

I think some celebreties are deserving of the attention for their talent or skill, but with being in the spot light 24/7 we begin to "idolize" them entirely. It's like we begin to think they are a life role model not just an athlete.

Somewhere there is a medium. Trying too hard to protect children from media promotion, and celebrity and sports idol misbehaviour can, more often than not lead to peer pressure and your children being bullied as they aren't normal. I think you know what I'm trying to say here.

Yes, I think I understand. While I don't think allowing your kids to do something just because other parents allow it is good, I agree that socially, kids are going to need or want to experience certain things that other kids are doing. I also think it's possible to over protect kids to the point that is detrimental to their development over all. Good teaching and guidance is needed...later you turn them loose and monitor.

Your'e right Christina. There's this debate about whether celebrities should be more conscious about being a role model. Many of these people don't want that kind of pressure. I think that many of them don't really have an appreciation of how they affect other people (fans). They have "made it", and they live in their own little worlds, forgetting where they came from and what they had to go through to "make it". Plus some of them just are not nice people. But most of them, I think, just get caught up in their success. Their admiring public, especially kids don't have the experience, or the frame of reference to realize this.

Sometimes I think it really is up to us as consumers to limit our consumption, to get the 24/7 focus off of these people. Pushing the media to find better, more newsworthy or valuable things to cover.

I would hope that he would be a better role model. But I think it's the bad behavior that attracts us most often. It's shocking and gives us something to talk about. I'm sure we would be focused on the tradgedies of his children's death, his nutty wife, and his controversial decisions rather than the important lessons he had to offer.

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