The Controversy Of Positive Role Models

Children learn by imitation, a fact that makes it incumbent upon the adults in their lives to be positive role models. In today 's media-saturated environment, however, parental influence is often diminished by the fixation that children have on the glamorous lifestyles of celebrities and athletes. When parents allow them to be their children 's primary role models, the line between fantasy and reality becomes too blurred for imparting lessons about ethics, character, and responsibility.

To start with, the media 's ongoing glamorization of celebrities behaving badly often seems to make them that much more appealing to impressionable children. No matter how many times a child is told by her parents that certain behaviors are inappropriate, disrespectful or dangerous, the double standard is still pervasive. Diminished emphasis on the actual consequences of wrongdoing confuses children into believing that whatever bad things celebrities do are excusable and, thus, should apply to them as well.

Furthermore, the emulation of sexy female celebrities runs counter to the physical and emotional development stages of young girls; it puts them at risk of predators.

When celebrities portray parents on TV sitcoms, children may not make the connection that the stars are only playing roles. In addition, children and adolescents who realize they will never be as attractive, thin, rich or accomplished as the celebrities they vicariously admire might decide to give up completely instead of embracing their own uniqueness and talents. Feelings of failure can potentially lead to obesity, substance abuse, withdrawal, and suicide.

To sum up, when children choose celebrities as their role models, it 's important to discuss with them the specific traits they like, respect and want to imitate; talk about whether these actually reflect the idol 's true