Role Model is define as “a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people” (Dictonary.com, 2019). In this composition, I will explain how media depictions, celebrity experiences, and positive and negative role models can affect a young person’s life.
First, the media has a way to normalize the parts of television, movies, and music as they show to a young person. If a young person sees a favourite star having fun doing drugs in a movie, especially if the favorite star is involved in the scenes, then a young person could minimize this danger and participate in trying drugs as well.
Additionally, observing celebrities from outside as they live the extraordinary life, participating in risk-taking acts and carelessly spending in pursuit of happiness, may entice a young person to mimic this lifestyle. Prominent people sometimes seem to be unaffected by reality and their behavior’s consequences seem to skate intact. Nonetheless, a star that makes severe errors in judgment will ultimately face consequences. The way the consequences are treated by a star can have an important effect on how the youth sees the mistake with a young person watching.
Also, superstars can have positive and negative consequences on a young person depending on their behaviors and actions. For example, a celebrity engaging in assisting people in a natural disaster, domestic terrorist act or providing time and energy to help specific causes can serve as a noble behavioral role model. Celebrities who drink, uses drugs, womanizer, party too much, or have substance abuse issues can, through negative examples, have a very unfavourable outcome on a young person. A celebrity fighting an addiction can be a very useful role model showcasing how he fought and overcome drug addiction.
All in all, when you identify or overhear about a media celebrity’s latest mistake or offensive remark, you can have a dialogue with your child about it to emphasize your personal beliefs and principles as compared to the star’s example. You can focus on the good things and dissect the negative things to make it a moment of teaching.
