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Are celebrities bad for you?
Celebrities are everywhere nowadays: on TV, in magazines, online. Is this preoccupation with famous people harmless fun or is it bad for us? How many people are truly obsessed with modern media idols? And on the other side of the coin, can fame be harmful to the celebrities?
Studies suggest that the vast majority of teenagers do not really worship celebrities. Researchers have identified three kinds of fans. About 15% of young people have an ‘entertainment-social’ interest. They love chatting about their favourite celebrities with friends and this does not appear to do any harm.
Another 5% feel that they have an ‘intense-personal’ relationship with a celebrity. Sometimes they see them as their soulmate and find that they are often thinking about them, even when they don’t want to. These people are more at risk from depression and anxiety. If girls in this group idolise a female star with a body they consider to be perfect, they are more likely to be unhappy with their own bodies.
That leaves 2% of young people with a ‘borderline-pathological’ interest. They might say, for example, they would spend several thousand pounds on a paper plate the celebrity had used, or that they would do something illegal if the celebrity asked them to. These people are in most danger of being seriously disturbed.
What about the celebrities themselves? A study in the USA tried to measure narcissism or extreme self-centredness, when feelings of worthlessness and invisibility are compensated for by turning into the opposite: excessive showing off. Researchers looked at 200 celebrities, 200 young adults with Masters in Business Administration (a group known for being narcissistic) and a nationally representative sample using the same questionnaire. As was expected, the celebrities were significantly more narcissistic than the MBAs and both groups were a lot more narcissistic than the general population.
Four kinds of celebrity were included in the sample. The most narcissistic were the ones who had become famous through reality TV shows – they scored highest on vanity and willingness to exploit other people. Next came comedians, who scored highest on exhibitionism and feelings of superiority. Then came actors, and the least narcissistic were musicians. One interesting result was that there was no connection between narcissism and the length of time the celebrity had been famous. This means that becoming famous probably did not make the celebrities narcissistic – they already were beforehand.
So, what can we learn from this? People who are very successful or famous tend to be narcissists and are liable to be ruthless, self-seeking workaholics. As we can see from celebrity magazines, they are also often desperate and lonely. They make disastrous role models.
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Discussion
Do you agree that celebrities make disastrous role models? Which celebrities do you think are good role models?
Comments
In my opinion, although the idolization of celebrities can be negative because it affects to young people's character and behavior, it is not all disadvantages. I think that the best role models are people who possess qualities we admire, like passion, hard work or determination. Often times, celebrities only let the public see their facade which means that we the audience, never get to see what they really are. Just because someone is famous and rich in the public eye, does not mean that they have done something worthy to be there. I don’t mean to say that celebrities aren’t nice, decent people, as some are genuinely positive role models who achieve something worthwhile.
The person I’m gonna talk about is my bias ever since I was a teenage girl-Miley Cyrus. I guess most people at the same age as me grew up with Disney Channel and among its successful series, Hannah Montana starring Miley Cyrus would always be on top of my list. Although now she’s grown up, I’m still a big fan of her amazing voice and highly inspiring songs.
I don't think that there's any celebrity who is a good role model. They behave in an undesirable way, at least most of them. But I learnt english by being a fan of one famous guy that I don't wanna mention name. Believe or not, being one of the 5% group guys mentioned in the article is not a good thing, although I was. I'm happy that I don't belong to that group anymore,
Celebrities..... well, I'm not really a fan of any of them. And that's because the most popular celebs nowadays didn't really accomplish anything. Most. I'd say the least narcissistic and
truthful celebs are writers, though some use ghostwriters. (Writers let other people write for them and pay money, those are ghostwriters)
Actually I am not interested about celebs .Those who are real should get more respect and love
Not all the celebraties are standing in the same zone.they have regardless inclination irrepectively...we can't hoot every one because some of them r really holding amiability...influential celebraties are helping the destitute by creating charity.so we should follow only those who are worthy of fame in the true sense of the term.
I agree with that statement, most of them are disastours role model, bad entertain, and bad manners for sure. In my opinion there are still good role model for celebrities, I dunno actually bcs I seldom watch TV program but I guess Yon-Sama. If you know him, an korean actor :)
i really liked this text about celebrities my favorite celebretie rapper sjors i really liike his song and i hope he is making new songs soon.
I'm inspired from some celebrities such as Eminem,mad Demon and jet lee. They are attract us whenever I watch Film or TV. But some celebrities ridiculous. They wants to make media attention from what they do.Some celebrities over rated.They are lucky because They are related rich family.They have not talent .I have jealous to some celebrities .I want to live in big house .I want to learn high salary.Celebrities have huge money.
A demon loves narcissists....
Wow, I feel scared but I can hoot them with laughter......!
Beyond all things, with Anpanman is around, we don't give a hoot!
Y^Y^Y^ Y^Y^Y^Y^Y
I´m not really interested on celebrities. My personal opinion is that It is weird to be obsessed with a celebrity besides It is really a problem for your psychological health. We must do things prudently. Do not cross the line.
I personally like humble celebrities. Not all celebrities are bad, a lot of them really do try to make a change and the world a safer place. Take Shailene Woodley as an example. She always takes part in charity works and always lets her fans know about problems all around the world. She is an amazing idol for teens and younger kids as well.
I dislike celebrities who pretend like they work hard when in reality everything is handed to them. They are not appreciative of their fans and they are very rude from time to time. They also often complain that they want to be normal like everyone else.
I think celebrities who get famous for doing nothing are usually the type to do the things I mentioned above.
I'm not really interested at celebrities because I think that they all are fake. As some of the users said, real celebrities are scientists and sports people because they're showing us the right way to be healthy and they develop the humanity. Although, not all the actors and singers are bad, because some of them help poor people by donating for associations, which is real generous.
In my opinion,celebrities are one of our life teachers.They can teach both good and bad things.Sometimes we can learn bad habits from them.Sometimes we can learn good deeds from them.For example,Angelina Jolie is the most popular and influential person among celebrities.She has won many movie awards.Further more,she has awarded by United Nations for her humanitarian efforts.Because of her more and more people are interested in the problems faced in Africa.People don't want to listen to the boreing speech of politicians.So in that ways,celebrities can give good things.
In my college, there're few fans which even say they'd rather didn't have parents more that didn't have their idol. And I aggressively disagree with this. How sad for their young minds-
I'm not really interested in celebrities, you know. I don't think they show off or something, but I think they shouldn't take the common people for granted. Many people are mad on celebrities, and the celebrities just pick the rich ones and push away the poor. That's arrogant, in my opinion.
I love celebrities!!! They are OK
Well, when we talk about celebrities, we immediately think about famous singers or actors, but we forget about clever scientists who made a huge difference in this world, and who truly deserve to be talked about, imitated, and to be extremely wonderful role models. Creative minds and inventive spirits have a large effect on our life style, and we have to be grateful for them. And I think that they're not harmful for their "fans", nor for themselves. They've only the candles that God sent to us so that we're leaded to the right path.
I'm not interested in celeboorities actually.
They're mostly fake....
There are celebrities who don't deserve to be seen as role models, because they haven't done anything right and appropriate. I think that good role models are the sportspeople, because they promote a healthy lifestyle and dedication. Also good role models are the activists such as Malala Yousafzai. Unfortunately everyone today is obsessed with people who don't motivate them to be a better person.
I guess if your idol is Nandi then u hav nothin to worry mbout. Am I rite Selena??
Fame is not completely good but I thing that Anglina Jolie is a good role model
No, I don't think that it should be the celebrities responsebility to make sure that no one is jealous of them or any other thing that eople might feel for them
I depends....if your idol is justin bieber than yes.
My idol is justin bieber
Is it the same as you?
Yes, I do. Celebrities make often disastrous role models. For example teenagers idolise female stars with a perfect body because they are unhappy with their own bodies. Many celebrities are narcissistic and worthlessness.
Luis Suarez, one of the best soccer players on the planet, has a history of biting his opponents during matches. He is probably the worst role model.
Talora Swift is an example of good role model. Her cencerts have a positive message for young girls and she always conduces herself as if her parents arte watching her every more. I like this example of role model.
Looks can be deceiving...
I like your comment.
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I think that here are so many reasons why celebrities are bad role models that it seems puzzling that anyone should look up to them. Of course, some are genuinely positive role models who achieve something worthwhile. Yet it seems to be expecting a lot of people who are just paid to perform. Here are some of the reasons why celebrities are bad role models …
Speaking to myself, I think celebrities are both good and bad. it's depend on the ways we learn and imitate them
is my manny pacquiao idol, and she have a good effect on me. She is a really good ! :)
In my opinion, any celebrity should be a role model. Because they are just like the ordinary people(they make mistakes and also good things). Sometimes I feel like celebrities do things that are out of their original behaviour just because they don't want to disappoint the people that like them, sometimes I feel like they feel pressured to be perfect. But, if somebody still wants a role model they have to look for good people, somebody who have the same beliefs that you have, not always a celebrities are disastrous role model.
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