D.+Persuasive+Essay

Celebrity obsession has gotten out of control! It is one thing to be a fan, but when one starts to idolize another person to the point that they are obsessed with every aspect of the celebrity’s life, it could have a very negative effect on their own. Younger children especially are the most influenced by celebrities and the poor choices they make because they do not know any better. They are drawn in by their apparent flawlessness, fame, and money. Celebrities have a powerful potential to set bad examples in society through inappropriate lyrics, use of drugs and alcohol, and acts of violence.

Compared to the past, little restriction is placed on the modern singers/song writers of today. Their lyrics promote things such as crime, gangs, and sexist lyrics that hurt the image of women. These songs use profanity in their lyrics by including partying, girls without their clothes on, “drinking it up,” and using drugs to feel good. They take a catchy beat and put all of these bad things in their lyrics. Also, with the songs usually come music videos. Many of these for hip-hop and rap songs consist of curvy women with small waists, setting an ideal image for young girls, which is nonrealistic. Young girls who watch these videos tend to copy this idealistic image through unhealthy ways. Many children and teens are more susceptible to influence from musical celebrities because they look up to them. Hence, as the lyrics in mainstream music become more profane, the negative effects on youth will increase.

More frequently, athletes, music artists, and other celebrities are getting caught abusing drugs and alcohol. Not only do they get caught doing all these things, but also the use of these substances is often promoted through movies, music, and television. These celebrities often do not realize the extent of the effect that their inappropriate actions have on their fans. As people and more likely youth observe these actions, it becomes more and more acceptable in society to engage in these actions in an irresponsible way. For example, for children that do not have an appropriate authority figure in their lives, there would not exist anything in their lives to show them that drugs and underage drinking are inappropriate. The celebrities often become their idols and hence their authority on what is acceptable. In this way, illegal activity by celebrities through use of bodily substances becomes more frequent in society.

While celebrities do things that would usually be frowned upon by regular people, for them it is as if these bad actions are okay because these actions have become their way of life. That might be acceptable for them, but a serious problem arises when others get the idea these actions are okay as a result of negative influence. Celebrities engage in acts of violence, not all of them of course, but it only takes a few for people to begin thinking that violent acts are tolerable. Chris Brown and Michael Vick are perfect examples, both being very idolized by many adoring fans. They both engaged in acts of violence, but Mr. Brown remains singing and dancing with millions of fans, and now Mr. Vick is back on the field; on with their lives as if their actions never occurred. However, the next time someone is in danger of committing violence, they would be more likely to go through with the act because they have seen their idols do the same thing. Hence, celebrities can influence greater violence in society through their own violent acts.

Some might say, “well not all celebrities are bad influences,” or “some engage in acts of charity and kindness.” The things that celebrities do like donating large amounts of money to charity or adopting underprivileged children, while very kind acts, are for normal people

things that we cannot commonly do. It is much easier for kids to engage in the bad choices their role models make, rather than the good ones. Teens can easily get access to alcohol and drugs. They could easily engage in partying and violence celebrities do. Society has

formed in a way that makes the actions of celebrities highly influential, and more so in a damaging way.