Youth led astray by false icons

Celebrities seem to have it all — glamour, riches and good looks.

So it’s understandable that we idolize those who look as if they have it all together, a prime example being Kim Kardashian.

Kardashian is known for her bodacious body and her family’s great amount of wealth, but she’s most known for her promiscuous ways.

Attaining her fame through a sex tape and a reality TV show, she’s one of the most coveted women in Hollywood and unfortunately one of the most talked about.

Young girls who admire her physical beauty want to obtain the same type of attention she receives, so they imitate the way she acts.

On multiple parental websites, including kids.baristanet.com, parents complain about how this particular Kardashian sister is damaging to their children.

One discussion centered around her 72-day marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries and how it shows young girls that marriage isn’t serious and doesn’t require investing time and effort into their future partners.

Today’s media “role models” display close to zero morals.

Nicole Polizzi, commonly known as “Snooki,” is another figure who people look up to because of the overly exposed reality television show on MTV “Jersey Shore.”

This fist pumping, partying Chilean exhibits her personal life for all to see — including excessive drinking and sexually charged situations.

Snooki’s actions and how she lives her life are damaging to a generation of young people who rely on television for advice. All Snooki does is party and get involved in unnecessary drama.

Polizzi told US Weekly that Snooki is not a role model and that she’s just her alter ego which shows her wild side. She said people should look up to Nicole who is lovable, strong and independent.

It’s contradicting to think the real Polizzi, not her alter ego, should be looked up to considering how her actions speak otherwise.

What makes a celebrity a role model is baffling because most of them live drama-filled lives.

Girls nowadays are found wearing provocative clothing such as short shorts and half cut shirts following fashion trends started by celebrities like singer Miley Cyrus.

Cyrus, who was once a squeaky clean actress on the Disney Channel, quickly changed her image to look more “mature” in order to appeal to an older audience.

With this change Cyrus has ditched most of her fan base, young girls who once sported blonde wigs and dressed as divas.

Because of television’s influence on young girls, it’s more important than ever to have positive role models in media too.

Role models should be people who have contributed something positive to society and have ambitious goals for their lives.

At www.parentdish.com parents talk about celebrities they think are good role models for their kids.

In an ever growing society where media make the rules, role models should not be found only on television screens.

Western culture, however, idolizes those who shouldn’t be considered role models. All we can do is recognize the garbage that is being thrown in our faces.