Role models in the media

[ViCtoria*]

The media. It's all around us, every day of our lives. We now receive information not only through our family, the radio or TV, but also from the Internet and other new means of information that are developing very fast. Among this storm of information, icons have emerged.

I'm not only talking about fashion icons here. I'm also talking about music artists, models, actors and actresses, even Obama or Oprah. You know, just those people some of us idolize every now and then.

I'm interested in knowing your opinions on the impact of these icons on your lives. For me, actors and singers definitely make an impact on my life. What interests me is how important these icons have become for some people. How artists like Lindsay Lohan or Beyonce or Kurt Cobain (sorry I'm mentioning you in the same sentence, Kurt) are influencing, not only young teenagers, but also adults!

Do you think these actors/singers/leaders/artists should stand up to their influence to society and try to "behave correctly", take seriously their role as models, or be more relaxed about it? Or maybe in between?

Any opinion is well-received!

[Zach]

This is a great question, Vic, and I look forward to hearing the responses of others!

I am very disappointed when celebrities and public icons say that they aren't meant to be role models and do not have the responsibility to lead a moral life. I think that because of the place that the public figures have in our society, they have a MORAL obligation to act morally themselves. In many ways, they have that position in our society BECAUSE of us, because we consume their personalities and because many people in our (at least here in the U.S.) society care so deeply about the lives of the rich and/or famous.

[ViCtoria*]

I think exactly the same way, Zach. We have given them their respective popularity, and that comes with a certain degree of responsibility. Of course, people can make mistakes and get tangled in their own problems, but I'm amazed to see the behaviours of some people.

For instance, there's this actress called Taylor Momsen from Gossip Girl who is barely 16 years old and is already smoking, has the whole "I'm a rebel" attitude and says she doesn't care at all about being a role model. I mean, seriously?! When every girl is looking at you? At least her parents should do something about it .

I also think that we, as part of society, are obliging the media to get more news about role models' private lives, which may or may not be entirely adequate as of now. With the lines between privacy and public living becoming more difuse, it's hard to ask the media to publish less things about them, of course. But there should be a way of being interested about other kinds of information so that newspapers don't try so hard on the "Hollywood" section, but on others.

(Don't know if the last paragraph made sense?)

Haha, anyway, I'm hoping for some good answers as well!

[forsah]

The mistakes our stras..Zidane, MJ etc have done for example show very frail the human being is and that rather than considering them as superhumans and strictly adhering to everything they do, we instead have to discern and make out good from bad in their various bahaviour

[Zach]

Right on Vic and Kwa. Celebrities have great power to make big changes. For example, after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, music stars from around the U.S. teamed up to raise money for the Haitian people to recover. They held a telethon for a few hours signing inspirational songs and had celebrities answering phones. In one night and the proceeds from the music album on iTunes, they raised a total of $57 million!

You see? Celebrities have GREAT power. Why don't they use it as frequently? Why do disasters bring so much awareness? Thinking about the oppressed and acting to help should be a daily occurrence

[ViCtoria*]

Fortunately there are some stars who take that responsibility seriously, especially UNICEF ambassadors and the like . Even new teen pop icons are more aware everytime of how they influence young people (Nick Jonas, for instance). Hopefully they will overtake the industry instead of others who don't take their role in society so seriously!

[darkme]

Great discussion.
I agree with what you're saying.

Everybody makes mistakes, but it's different when mistakes are only known by your family, and mistakes known by the whole world. Celebrities should be careful, but how much can you ask of a 16 year old really? Her parents should interfere, but also the parents of teenagers these days. They should be good role models to their kids, they shouldn't follow the news of stars so closely, and they should make sure their kids do the same. Engage them in other activities so that they can think about other stuff.

The media isn't going to change any time soon, all the hype and buzz these celebrities get when they haven't actually done anything good. I wonder at some icons sometimes, like I wonder does she sing? act? or what does she do that made her so famous?
Nobody can deny that these icons have impact on people, they make them do things; good or bad. I guess it depends on who they choose to follow.

I feel strongly about this, because it's just upsetting to see youngsters like Justin Bieber come out, and get all that hype. It'd be so hard to behave well at this age and have a normal life. I mean I don't have anything against him, but soon it'll be another one.

On the bright side though, icons like Oprah are great; not only do they do good things but they make you want to do good things in life too!