n today’s media, many people are exposed to material they see or hear which affects their choices on a day to day basis. Teenagers are the most common victims of the media because they are so vulnerable. One of the main causes of this media influence on them is celebrity behavior. Celebrities can change how a teen looks at him or herself in the mirror. They can also have an effect on a teen’s choices in bad habits. They have the power to persuade teens into unrealistic shopping. Teens can also start thinking that it is easy to become famous by attracting the wrong attention. Although teenagers can learn about their society through celebrities, the media can provoke negative issues in self-esteem, habits, shopping and personality.
Firstly, it is a well known fact that the majority of celebrities seen through the media have ‘too perfect’ bodies that teens feel is the ideal image for their society. The impact of this idea is unhealthy both emotionally and physically and can lead to many problems such as depression or anorexia. Michelle New a PhD in Kids Health states, “Most celebrities in advertising, movies, TV, and sports programs are very thin, and this may lead girls to think that the ideal of beauty is extreme thinness. Boys, too, may try to emulate a media ideal by drastically restricting their eating and compulsively exercising to build muscle mass.” This explains how desperate teenagers can get to change themselves to fit the idea of celebrity perfection. Another way celebrities disapprovingly change the minds of teens and their bodies is by commenting on their own. An actress, Jennifer Lawrence, was caught guilty calling herself fat which could be hurtful to many teens her size. Abbey Stone from Hollywood News reports, “While it is beyond commendable that Lawrence points out how anorexic-seeming body types can be detrimental to young girls, her choice to call herself fat — even in a sarcastic manner — is a poor one.” Even by joking, celebs easily create more problems like body image that teens worry about in their daily lives.
The Essay on Media Body Image And Self worth
Media, Body Image and Self-Worth How the Media Influences the Development of a Woman's Self-Esteem Every women's dream... to be 5'10, 115 pounds or underweight as to be considered thin, have long slender legs, a flat stomach and to have generously proportioned breasts. Why? Simply because media has deceived young women into thinking as though that is the standard of beauty, and every woman wants ...
Also, celebrities live a wild and free life in which they can make poor choices just to put themselves out there. Everyone needs a role model and celebrities fulfill that place but their wrong choices can be attractive to the young naïve minds of teens. An example is many celebs enjoy tattoo and piercing their bodies which becomes trendy to teenagers and they start wanting to do these things in order to look more like their role models. In the article Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Teens author Shelle Rosenfeld remarks, “Along with exploring reasons behind teens’ interest in the practices-celebrity influence, self-expression, rebellion–the book addresses risks, such as infections, tattoo removal costs, or how modifications may hamper employment.” Sometimes, by following the ways of their favourite celebrity, teens put themselves at risk for trouble. Another issue could be celebrities glamorizing the usage of drugs and alcohol. An article Refuse to Use Drugs and Alcohol from Teen Health and Wellness comments, “The mixed messages you receive from society and the media—certain rock stars singing the praises of various drugs and alcohol while other celebrities die from overdoses.” This shows that many famous people use drugs and alcohol to highlight their talents. One more example could be Wiz Khalifa’s songs like ‘French Inhale’ ‘Medicated’ or ‘Still Blazing’ that emphasizes the usage of marijuana and how good it feels. This targets the curiosity in teens and can lead to drug related issues.
Furthermore, celebrities are used frequently to model for items as a deceiving marketing technique. By using the faces of teens’ favourite celebs on different types of items, they are attracting and influencing their shopping choices. In the show Media and Money by CNBC, a marketing specialist Andrea Kraushaar claims, “Factors that generally impact tweens and teens, one of them is obviously the media, marketing and advertising have a strong impact.” The media can hype new products that cause teens to buy them and then realize it being a waste of money. Spending money wisely can become difficult with celebrities manipulating adolescents. Melinda Shaw from the same show realized, “People want idols, you want to look up to somebody and aspire to having more than what you have in your little life.” By this statement, a conclusion can be made that teens are never satisfied with what they have-they always want more. Trying to be like their favourite celebs, they buy more than they need by keeping up with brands and this can be very costly.
The Term Paper on High School Drug Alcohol Drugs
Sociology High Honors April 11, 2003 How the Use of Drugs and Alcohol Affect High School Achievement student at Lakeside High School, called Ann for purposes of privacy, had a grade point average of 3. 6 through her sophomore year. During her junior year, she dropped out of extra-curricular activities and became withdrawn from other social activities. As she was introduced to the world of hard ...
Lastly, teenagers have been exposed constantly to things that are wrong because they are always see celebrities behaving like that in the media. Reality shows are more popular and appealing to them as they begin to realize that to become famous they can follow bad habits such as being a teen mom from the shows ‘Teen Mom’ and ‘Sixteen and Pregnant’ or a party person from shows like ‘Jersey Shore’. Psychologist, Dr. Brown-Holloway on the Today Show admits, “Unfortunately when you have an individual constantly fighting, drunk and hooking up in a movie or on television, it does glamorize it to a certain degree.” That bad girl/boy famous life is just glamour and drama for the cameras for which many teens cease to understand and continue to let it take over their life.
In conclusion, the impact of celebrity behaviour on young teenagers can affect their lives in many negative ways. There is a pressure on body image which can ruin their sense of self-esteem. Also, many celebrity bad habits are learned and followed quickly. The marketing side of celebs provokes unnecessary buying based on brands and fashion. As well, TV reality shows give the impression that anyone can become famous for committing themselves into bad activities. These issues in the media will never rest, but teens should always be aware and differentiate between reality and camera life. By understanding the media and society around them, teens can avoid problems and drifting away from their lives.
The Term Paper on The Contemporary Mulata and the Myth of Celebrity
Alighting from her limousine, she slowly glides into view, a caramel-colored goddess, amidst the bright, flashing lights of the enamored paparazzi. Dressed in a tight gown that accentuates her plentiful curves, she treads upon the red carpet, her every movement calling attention to her innate beauty: high cheekbones, doe eyes, a button nose. She looks upon her ardent fans who file behind a metal ...
References
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Refuse to Use Drugs and Alcohol. Retrieved January 13, 2014, fromhttp://www.teenhealthandwellness.com/article/279/refuse-to-use-drugs-and-alcohol-
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Does Teen Mom Glamorize Teen Pregnancy. Today Show. Retrieved January 12, 2014 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93jkO1R6KYg
Nal, Jackie. (Host).
(sept.22.2010).
Marketing to Kids and Teens Media and Money. CNBC Africa. Retrieved January 12, 2014 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iW9HD5gLWA
New, Michelle. (Nov.2011).
Eating Disorders. Kids Health. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/eating_disorders.html#
Rosenfeld, Shelle. Pop Culture Collection (Oct.1.2013).
Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Teens.
Retrieved January 13, 2014 from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA348978847&v=2.1&u=peel_dsb&it=r&p=PPOP&sw=w&asid=cd4aefe266ece4f68fbf6a75e2f811e4
Stone, Abbey. (Nov.9.2012).
Jennifer Lawrence Talks About Her Weight, Again. Hollywood News. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.hollywood.com/news/celebrities/43959185/jennifer-lawrence-talks-about-her-weight-again?page=all
