Childhood is full of trials, growth, and learning. Children look to their parents, teachers, coaches, older siblings, and celebrities to lead them through the thicket of childhood. Unfortunately some of these role models are less than savory, and may not be able to properly communicate the messages they should.
A prime example of this is Lindsey Lohan. This young lady was once an adored child star, I remember having a crush on her back in the day, but now she is a punch line. What little influence she may have had is eclipsed by her inability to make good choices. Now, this doesn't mean that every child star runs out and becomes the paparazzi fodder for the tabloids, but the good children rarely get the media attention they deserve. What's more, Americans rarely get exposed to the good works of such people.
Rather, we are inundated with negative examples of celebrity. This in itself can actually be a positive example of how to live. The main distinction is to ensure we realize what not to do.
What each of these troubled stars lack is an introspective dedication to self betterment.
My parents were adamant that I learn the value of being told "no", at every turn it was "No you may not have a Mohawk," "No you can't stay out all night looking for the Great Pumpkin," "No you can't move to California to become a pro surfer, you don't even know how to surf!" Unfortunately it seems that our celebrity children are not told 'No' often enough.
This is, ultimately, a failure in the leadership in their lives. This does not mean that there aren't little hellions in a traditional, non celebrity, role; this simply means that the celebrutants are publicly documented in the media. The masses don't care about little Timmy getting hooked on blow and ruining his life. The masses care about Corey Haim's (please don't judge me for using Wikipedia...)travels down self destruction.
Unfortunately irreparable damage has been done. Gone are the days when children looked up to astronauts and people who truly add to society. This day has slowly crept up on us, and we watched helplessly as our heroes were transformed into side shows. We looked on as Neil Armstrong was replaced by Snooki. While we all share a stake in this blame, I contend that the story hungry media has perverted journalism to a new level. The availability of honest journalism is eclipsed by the supermarket checkout tabloids.
This laissez faire approach to media has taken away our heroes, discredited our leaders and raised the idiotic and asinine upon a pedestal. While it is perfectly acceptable to discuss celebrities, let us please remember that they are not special. They are, in most cases, just pretty people.
Really, why do we care.
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