Celebrity Influence on Teens
It’s a shame that teenagers don’t idolize the doctors, scientists and teachers of the world as much as they do the pop celebrities. When I saw Beyonce’s latest video, “Partition,” I felt like I was watching pornography, and I wish I could say I was shocked. It’s clear that sex sells, and most celebrities have no problem selling out. They could use their fame as a platform to promote a much more empowering message, but as independent adults, what they do is their own choice. It’s up to you to provide a better influence for your young children.
Studies Show That Celebrities Have a Strong Influence
The trouble is, it can be very difficult to keep your children from the world of media and entertainment. All of their friends listen to Miley Cyrus, Rhianna and Beyonce, so why shouldn’t they? To them, it seems innocent and normal, but many experts agree that celebrities have a huge influence on young people. A lot of the pop stars who are in their twenties or thirties have a fan base of girls who are younger than 10 years old. Being exposed to such highly provocative content can set children up to become sexual far too early in life. Without the wisdom and maturity that comes with age, entering into the world of sex and dating could result in a life-ruining mistake. Celebrities influence young people in other ways as well. Not only do our kids have to see them dancing around in minimal clothing and singing about getting wasted, but they also witness the many different relationships, marriages and breakups in the entertainment world. This sends a message that relationships are meant to be short lived and superficial. A study by USA Weekend done in 2006 found that nearly half of all teenagers agree that seeing a celebrity smoke or drink makes them more likely to try it themselves. As many as 60 percent say that they would copy their favorite celebrity’s body piercings or tattoos.
What You Can Do as a Parent
Celebrities are going to do whatever they can to make a buck, and aside from not buying their albums or doing anything else to support them financially, the only thing you can do is educate them around sex, and feeling good about themselves through healthy communication. If you see your daughter obsessing about Beyonce, ask her what it is about Beyonce that she likes. If she says it’s her beauty, talk to her about the importance of being smart, driven and well educated. These things that last far beyond the point when looks fade. Understand that this won’t be a one-time conversation. Our daughters are being bombarded by sexual images in the media every day, which means you have to work twice as hard to get the right message across. Talk to your daughter often, and do everything you can to make sure she understands her true worth.
