When You Wish Upon a Star

We think it's cute and amusing when young girls go crazy, squealing and fainting over some teenybop rockers or TV stars. Yet there is a tragic element to a society where young girls are so devoid of any sense of self-esteem and self-identity, that they would throw themselves at strange young men. When did we teach our girls that they mean absolutely nothing unless they can get the attention of a more famous male?

Young boys are not immune to this. Their idols often consist of the most rebellious rock bands, video game icons and action movie stars. Not that these are always negative influences, but many of them are expounding violence, racism, rape, misogyny and sexual entitlement, weapons and basically teaching boys that it's cool to act like a testosterone-crazed madman. Some role models.

We need to teach our kids some perspective. With parents spending less time with their kids, and kids spending more time in front of the TV set, no wonder today's youth is blindly worshipping celebrities as their only role models for how to be a success in life. And hey, some celebrities are great role models, working hard to portray a positive influence, supporting charities and benefits, speaking out for causes they believe in. Let's face it, many charities would cease to function were it not for celebrity fundraisers!

So it's OK to look at these people as examples of how working hard at something you love can bring you success. But it's not OK to give them Godlike status and qualities.

Celebrities make mistakes. They screw up. They get into trouble. Sometimes, they even end up in jail.

Buddha never got busted. Krishna never did time. And although Jesus was quite a rabble-rouser, he never did a stint in the Big House. (Well, that's not entirely true...) Then again, THEY never worshipped any rock stars.

Celebrities are fun. They're often highly amusing. But they are now and always will be just famous, pretty people with cool jobs and lots of stuff and big paychecks (while they're hot).

People. Not Gods.

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