Compare and Contrast Paper on Parents and Celebrities Influence on Youths

Paper.

Intro
When you look at life and its intricacies, do you ask your self how or why? Take this list of names: Bono (U2), Hugh Jackman, Gerard Butler, Jessica Alba, Lindsey Lohan, Mariah Carey, Lance Armstrong; what do you see? Wealth, fame, attractiveness, betrayal, druggie, liar? How about these names: Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, dad, aunt, uncle; what do you see? Controlling, judgmental, mean, hard working, respectable, loving? Although celebrities’ influence on younger individuals isn’t necessarily bad; our parents’ influence is what we really need to survive is this so called “real world”.

Body - Comparing Although celebrities have a negative wrap from media, their influence does have potential for good. Studies from the UK have shown the influence on youths public opinion from celebrities’ endorsements (good or bad). The study also recognized the fame of the celebrity also played a factor. For instance the more well know the celebrity or higher credibility, the higher the influence they have on young individuals. Here is an example; Paris Hilton had her public opinion on Aids. Nobody really heard about it or paid much attention at all, but when Bono shared his beliefs on a talk show, people were inspired world wide especially the youth! Lets look at parent’s belief and their impact on youths. When considering the influence of parents on their youth, the most obvious example is that of Christian fundamentalists in America. Many choose to homeschool their children where they can validate ideas like creationism despite nearly all scientists disagreeing with this. The result is that we now have a very vocal section on America that doesn’t believe in common ideas like climate change, tolerance, or evolution. Lets move into Role models. Both celebrities and parents, impact our influence by being role models. They can either have a negative or a positive effect. Negatively are behaviors through body image, parents or celebrities can influence the youth to be overly obsessed with being skinny. According to the U.S. Office on Women's Health, Girls Health website one or two of every 100 students have some form of an eating disorder. Positively we look at how the young behave. Celebrity role models get their message out to kids by broadcasting The Stomp Out Bullying campaign that is well known to children and teens. Parent role models get their message out by teaching; how to act and an appropriate way to treat others, which is a kinder, friendly, and honest way to show your child. Health is also a good topic to consider when it comes to parent and celebrities. The similarities parents and celebrities have on the young is by seeing. When children see mom and dad eating fast food they want fast food, same with celebrities. If the youths watches the favorite celebrity eating or promoting fast food that gets them craving that fast food. Likewise with good health, if parents are working out running and eating healthy their kids should likely do the same. When they see that celebrity in shape and promoting exercise and good eating habits that sends that positive message.

Contrast
Taking appearance again, and seeing how it affects our teenagers; we look at those views once more with parents and celebrities. Parents’ influence on teenagers is to change their attitude, dress proper, and be more respectful. How can that be bad? Sure it may be hard aggravating work for the parent but the outcome outweighs the progress. Celebrities’ influence on teenagers is to change their appearances in order to follow the newest trends. Look at plastic surgery for example. It has been a growing trend in the past decade, and the need to look a certain way has transferred teens. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS,) the number of teenagers coming in for procedures raises by 12 percent each year and that is bad. Parents influence on academics vs. celebrities influence on academics. Despite all the attention that celebrities receive on how connected we are to their personal lives, very few are known to be well educated. Claire Danes was mocked on Saturday Night Live for being shoed in to Yale university. Parents however push to educate their children and to succeed, which is the foundation that we build on to eventually graduate to bigger and better things. Lets talk about the factor of physical distance and the influence that it has. Parents are very close the youth, because they are always around them and they also rely solei upon them. While celebrities are often the people they do not know in person. There is a long lasting relationship between parents and youths, but there seems to be no direct relationship between celebrities and youths. For the influence from parents, youths are influenced directly. They mimic and learn from first hand observances because they can see what their parents do and say in real life.

Conclusion
We’ve examined how parents and celebrities equally influence youth in a physical aspect like appearance, health, and general opinion; but it’s clear that parents impose a greater say on more important matters like school, values, and discipline.
These aspects of life are core to who we are and who we will become. The weakness of those likely to be influenced by celebrity cultures like appearance and wealth aren’t enough and that they are external and come often by chance; but that they almost never reflect what’s actually there. We are who we are because of their drive, skill, and integrity learned by our parents.