The article “Teenagers most influenced by celebrities” (The
telegraph, 2009) surveyed 18000 students in the UK and concluded that the
children are most influenced by celebrities; and that the students have no
sense of local community or culture. I see this on the train every day. While
travelling to and from the university; I travel with a lot of students
travelling to or from the school. I cannot help but overhear most of them
talking about footy players, cricket players, Hollywood stars and Paris Hilton.
I can very much tell the influence of celebrities when I see boys struggling to
be the alpha male of the group and twelve year old girls with so much make-up
as if they were going to a prom party in the 80s. In fact, I should look in my
own den first; my 3 year daughter son tells me “Hanna Montana is the best girl
in the world”.
Marshall (2010) says that we are moving into a Specular
Economy where we are collectively becoming more conscious of how we represent
ourselves. The children are obviously more prone to the influence as they get
more and more exposure to the celebrity culture via the TV, internet, social
media and the celebrity friends.
According to the Daily Mail (15 April 2009), “Unruly pupils
are copying the worst behaviour they see from footballers and celebrities on
television, the Government's discipline tsar said today”.
Image Source: Daily Mail UK, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1169946/Celebrity-culture-fuelling-violence-sex-children-says-schools-tsar.html
References
Daily Mail Report, 2009, 'Celebrity culture is fuelling
violence and sex among children, says school tsar', Mail Online, 15
April, first edition, viewed 1 September 2012, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1169946/Celebrity-culture-fuelling-violence-sex-children-says-schools-tsar.html
Children are more susceptible to the effects of celebrity, their physiological and psychological has not completely mature, it is easy to be attracted by celebrity surface image. Many children like imitating idols, they think idols' behavior must be right. Children think star is the spokesperson of fashion, their words and deeds, apparel, behavior will be imitated by teenagers. You used your own train experience to show influenced of celebrities on children, I like your example. These small things which happened around us can show the real social phenomenon. Your blog brings us a lot of thinking.
ReplyDeleteYou’ve used personal opinion and external sources well to make your point. Some of your writing was a little confusing in parts. Maybe you could just tidy up your sentences slightly. Also, I thought the ending was a little sudden, but I realise there’s not much you can do with only 250 words.
ReplyDeleteHi Abdul
ReplyDeleteThe influence of the celebrity in our society is unparalleled, especially given the effect that they have upon children. We live in an information society which is fuelled by image and branding, enhanced by a celebrity culture that is plastered across advertising, magazines and TV. As you have stated, children are particularly irrepressible and can be positioned and influenced with ease. It is important that we limit the exposure of this celebrity culture to children when they are a young age, which is easier said than done! Your post is referenced well but it did end quite abruptly. Otherwise, great job!
hi. I think there is no problem if children are now influence by celebrities, as long as in positive way, since we live in globalization era where children in the developing countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, India, recognize Hollywood stars and can obtain information about them easily. just because celebrities are being made in a so much more raunchy way (and just because celebrities are acting worse in general) doesn't mean that they actually affect children. Take for example Angelina Jolie. She hasn't really done anything silly to get attention, besides that she's adopted lots of kids and donated money to charity. It is good to put several sources, however, I think you need to make a conclusion.
ReplyDeletecheers
Hey Abdul
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, and the readings theory that children are greatly influenced by celebrities. Sometimes it can be for good, I'm sure Hannah Montana is a fine role model, and sometimes for bad. I only just finished highschool a few years ago, but when the footballer Ben Cousins went down the path he did, a lot of other students that I know to this day have been influenced by his actions (these kids were footballers and now they participate in a lot of drug use). It is strange how the media chooses to highlight those who are essentially bad people; Kardashians, Hilton, Chris Brown...
Some people always pursue that glamour of celebrity, but most can see through the fakery I think. Good post, writing and sources.
I agree with Abdualrhmen’s idea that celebrities are “idolized” in Pop Culture Post Modern Society. Their sense of local community and/ or culture is tarnished by peer pressure to “be like” a celebrity; to be part of the celebrity cult and nature in society. “Teenagers” being most influenced by celebrities in media spotlight exposure, shows Abdualrhman commended for the acknowledgement that influence of celebrities affects our conscious representations of ourselves and this is their “vulnerability”. Abdualrhmen makes effort to connect the celebrity exposure to different media forms representing them. Reflecting on my experience of celebrities, such “glorification” or “villainising” of celebrities in media, TV, radio, Newspapers, the Internet especially websites Twitter, lets celebrity culture and lifestyle posts thrive for our “attention” and “celebrity obsession,” influencing the future of the children’s consumption of celebrity ideology. By effective use of photograph of “Amy Winehouse” as a troubled star, villainising her at the same time is able to capture attention, admiration and criticism, is what “stardom” lifestyle is known for, both positive and negative influence depending on the celebrity "type."
ReplyDelete