2008 Woodie Awards
Lack of role models threatens morality
Kathleen Ryan '08
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Opinion
Our parents may be dating themselves when they tell us that times are changing, but they certainly have a point.
Kids have always wanted to act and appear older than they actually are, but recently that desire has been taken too far, largely due to what they are exposed to. The Journal of Adolescent Health states that the average American child between the ages of 8 and 18 is exposed to six and a half hours of media a day. What are we, or younger kids for that matter, supposed to think when we see our favorite celebrities on TV, in magazines, and on the internet drinking, drugging, putting out sex tapes, and using the revolving door at their local rehab clinics, especially when the media only publicizes stories of those who mess up?
Even those stars who should be considered age-appropriate role models, like Nickelodeon and Disney child stars, are posing nude and winding up pregnant.
Such behavior patters are having a terrible effect on today's adolescents.
Eating disorders have been at an all time high, of which 95 percent include those 12 to 25 years old, according to the Department of Mental Health.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says 48 percent of the population 12 years old and up consider themselves regular alcohol drinkers.
Perhaps most alarming, MSNBC states that the average age of loss of virginity is 17, resulting in just under one million pregnancies in a given year, according to the Center of Disease Control.
However, parents are sometimes the ones allowing or even inviting in the bad influences. Parents bringing the influence of celebrities that dominate popular media into the house are reassuring their kids that it is okay to fixate on the lives of celebrities and to imitate their actions.
Beyond teaching celebrity worship, parents teach their children about sex and relationships, at least as models for children to emulate. Nearly half of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Such a pattern does not build a strong foundation for future relationships in our youth.
But all these negative influences do not necessarily excuse bad behavior. After a certain age, certain things are no longer excusable and responsibility must be accepted.
Then the obvious answer is to get rid of the bad influences and to let more good in.
One of the best options is to make better role models. It is time that healthy, well-behaved, intelligent people start receiving the recognition they deserve.
Maybe they can solve the problem of the lack of morality in today's society.
Or at least help it.
Kids have always wanted to act and appear older than they actually are, but recently that desire has been taken too far, largely due to what they are exposed to. The Journal of Adolescent Health states that the average American child between the ages of 8 and 18 is exposed to six and a half hours of media a day. What are we, or younger kids for that matter, supposed to think when we see our favorite celebrities on TV, in magazines, and on the internet drinking, drugging, putting out sex tapes, and using the revolving door at their local rehab clinics, especially when the media only publicizes stories of those who mess up?
Even those stars who should be considered age-appropriate role models, like Nickelodeon and Disney child stars, are posing nude and winding up pregnant.
Such behavior patters are having a terrible effect on today's adolescents.
Eating disorders have been at an all time high, of which 95 percent include those 12 to 25 years old, according to the Department of Mental Health.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says 48 percent of the population 12 years old and up consider themselves regular alcohol drinkers.
Perhaps most alarming, MSNBC states that the average age of loss of virginity is 17, resulting in just under one million pregnancies in a given year, according to the Center of Disease Control.
However, parents are sometimes the ones allowing or even inviting in the bad influences. Parents bringing the influence of celebrities that dominate popular media into the house are reassuring their kids that it is okay to fixate on the lives of celebrities and to imitate their actions.
Beyond teaching celebrity worship, parents teach their children about sex and relationships, at least as models for children to emulate. Nearly half of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Such a pattern does not build a strong foundation for future relationships in our youth.
But all these negative influences do not necessarily excuse bad behavior. After a certain age, certain things are no longer excusable and responsibility must be accepted.
Then the obvious answer is to get rid of the bad influences and to let more good in.
One of the best options is to make better role models. It is time that healthy, well-behaved, intelligent people start receiving the recognition they deserve.
Maybe they can solve the problem of the lack of morality in today's society.
Or at least help it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Kim Maksymuik
posted 4/26/08 @ 10:15 AM EST
Hello Kathleen,
I couldn't agree more. The answer isn't in just turning off the TV. Until the media stops glorifying bad behavior, and paying attention to celebrities who make a positive contribution to society it will be tough for youth to choose better role models. (Continued…)
Rex
posted 5/10/08 @ 9:04 PM EST
1. The media always glorifies bad everything. And that seems to be what people want because they (we) keep watching. "News" actually means "information about recent developments", but "news" as defined by the media (and let's face it, all of us "news" watchers) has come to mean "information about recent bad developments". (Continued…)
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