Last week, I heard way too much about Miley Cyrus being in a video smoking a bong. There was lots of speculation as to whether she was smoking weed or salvia. My initial reaction was, "Who cares?"
The problem is not that Miley did something stupid and had it broadcasted across the Internet; people do that all the time. The problem is that kids look up to Miley. That's a lot of responsibility for someone so young.
We're constantly surprised when celebrities screw up. Last year, people couldn't stop talking about how disappointed they were in Tiger Woods for cheating on his wife multiple times. Who would their children look up to now that this "good man" had sinned so badly?
The problem is that parents are allowing celebrities to be role models for their children. They're allowing someone they have never spoken with to have a profound influence on their kids. Instead of taking on the responsibility themselves of being a positive role model and introducing people into their children's lives that will have a positive impact on them, so many parents are content with their kids idolizing these public figures they don't know.
I'm in no way condoning the actions of Miley and Tiger, or any other celebrities for that matter. I think it's unfortunate that Miley seems to be heading down the path so many other child-stars have taken. It's unfortunate that Tiger couldn't be the golfing good-guy everyone thought he was. But we have to remember that these celebrities are humans that are bound to screw up, just as we are.
So hang out with your kids, be part of their life. Get them involved in groups where they'll have other positive influences from other adults and peers alike. Don't cater to their obsession with a particular celebrity; explain to them that a celebrity is a person just like they are. Be the role model they need. Be the person they look up to. Be the positive influence that helps steer them down the right path.
Then next time a celebrity is exposed doing something you disapprove of, it won't be an issue that impacts your child's growth.
The problem is not that Miley did something stupid and had it broadcasted across the Internet; people do that all the time. The problem is that kids look up to Miley. That's a lot of responsibility for someone so young.
We're constantly surprised when celebrities screw up. Last year, people couldn't stop talking about how disappointed they were in Tiger Woods for cheating on his wife multiple times. Who would their children look up to now that this "good man" had sinned so badly?
The problem is that parents are allowing celebrities to be role models for their children. They're allowing someone they have never spoken with to have a profound influence on their kids. Instead of taking on the responsibility themselves of being a positive role model and introducing people into their children's lives that will have a positive impact on them, so many parents are content with their kids idolizing these public figures they don't know.
I'm in no way condoning the actions of Miley and Tiger, or any other celebrities for that matter. I think it's unfortunate that Miley seems to be heading down the path so many other child-stars have taken. It's unfortunate that Tiger couldn't be the golfing good-guy everyone thought he was. But we have to remember that these celebrities are humans that are bound to screw up, just as we are.
So hang out with your kids, be part of their life. Get them involved in groups where they'll have other positive influences from other adults and peers alike. Don't cater to their obsession with a particular celebrity; explain to them that a celebrity is a person just like they are. Be the role model they need. Be the person they look up to. Be the positive influence that helps steer them down the right path.
Then next time a celebrity is exposed doing something you disapprove of, it won't be an issue that impacts your child's growth.