Hero worship has reached fever pitch and it raises the question: just who or what is it that people are holding up as role models? The people that we may look up to today, are very much different than the role models of yesteryear.
There was a time when the world marveled at inventors and scientists who created something important or who solved something of global significance. In the past, a great author or a dedicated and honest national leader was held up as someone to respect and emulate. People like Gandhi, Amelia Earhart, Nelson Mandela and Eleanor Roosevelt were accomplishing great things and making the world take notice — ordinary people wanted to know more about them and they wanted to be just like them.
That Was Then, This Is Now
Ask a young person today who they respect and admire and you’re likely to hear the name of a celebrity or pro athlete — ask them why they respect them and you’re probably going to hear about how much money they make, how many homes they own or how many followers they have. The role models of today are most assuredly, not being respected and admired for the right reasons — and that means that many of them are in truth, are not worthy of being role models. This begs the questions: what has changed and why have things changed and does it bode well for the future of our youth? Only the answer to one of those questions is simple: no, it does not bode well for the future.
Our culture has become celebrity obsessed and this unhealthy obsession is centered almost entirely on being famous, even if for negative behaviors and having obtained obscene wealth, even if not having truly earned it. In other words, role models today are typically rich and famous and may have not contributed anything of true or lasting value to our society.
Throughout adolescence, your teenage son or daughter will go through the process of developing their identity, and they may feel they found that in a celebrity, influencer, movie star, rapper, or other notable figure. They may look up to these famous people to help them determine their own values, goals, beliefs, style, and more. As a parent, you may wonder, “Are these celebrities good role models for my teen?”- Embark Behavioral Health
Read the full article here: Are Celebrities Good Role Models for Teens?
The Influence Of Idolism on Positivity
Actually idolizing anyone may be questionable, since it gives the impression that another human is being worshiped, which of course, is wrong. But more and more, it seems as if people with bad reputations and a negative image, are being adored by the young and the vulnerable. Heroes today aren’t typically people who have achieved great things, but who have achieved a notoriety that has made them notorious — simply put, role models today are very often the people we used to…and still should, avoid.
The reason for the impact on positivity is because false or unworthy role models don’t have the substance or staying power to actually motivate, inspire or empower. How can a reality “star” become a billionaire and live a self-indulged life, ever be someone we should admire? What have they done to not just achieve their wealth, but to warrant global fame? Have they made our world a better place? Have they solved a world-wide crisis? Have they shown leadership and led millions of people to a better life? The answer to all of these questions, is no.
When the young, impressionable and vulnerable hero worship these false role models, what will they take from them? That being rich and famous is more important that being kind, creative, strong, compassionate and dedicated? Being “rich and famous” is not something to aspire to — its something that should come from working hard and earning it.
One day, these Hollywood stars, pro-athletes and other types of “celebrities” will fade away, as most do and that is when the people who looked up to them as inspirational role models, will realize that it was all a waste of their time and energy.
“Role modeling is the most basic responsibility of parents. Parents are handing life’s scripts to their children, scripts that in all likelihood will be acted out for the rest of the children’s lives.” – Stephen R. Covey
“If you look at the footballers, you look at our celebrity culture, we seem to be saying, ‘This is the way you want to be’. We seem to be a society that celebrates all the wrong people.” – Iain Duncan Smith
