General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why Kim Kardashian Is the Perfect Icon for Our Sick Society [View all]marions ghost
(19,841 posts)And it is an addiction. Should that be glamorized and emulated by teenagers and young women, the target audience?
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According to studies, many teenagers believe that emulating the lifestyle of a favorite celebrity is one of the few ways to form an identity; if one doesn't reach the same level of stardom, she will be a worthless nobody. This demonstrates a dramatic shift in the way teenagers perceive success. Research reveals that teenagers would rather surround themselves with celebrities - or become one - than become a more intelligent human being whose life will benefit the world around them. We are raising a generation of adolescents who would rather become Kim Kardashian than a human rights activist.
This type of value system drives the entourage that idolizes Charlie Sheen. You have to wonder what it means when Sheen claims to be above surrender to the disease of addiction, and then more than 74,000 people apply to be his social media intern. Recently Sheen has started booking a national speaking tour to spread his message. What does this tell our teenagers? Is Sheen spreading the message that a person doesn't have to abide by rules of modern society? Are teens going to believe that they can be the nation's highest-paid TV actor, say outlandish things via all media, get fired, and lose access to their children... and yet still garner enough attention to stay in the headlines? Teens not only mimic their favorite celebrities by copying their hairstyles and fashions; they are inclined to mimic their addictions as well. Addictions are viewed as glamorous, and celebrity addicts are viewed as getting everything they want while indulging in self-destructive behaviors. This is a dangerous mindset to copy.
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We live in a culture where the major outlet, the major form of recreation is shopping, both for those with money and those without much of it. Especially for women. And then when those trained to "shop til you drop" have emotional problems later in life, where do they go for distraction--The Mall. And then where do they end up--? Well you can watch the show that brings you the flip side--"Hoarders" (and also American Pickers) This is all about creating a sense of lack that can only be filled by shopping.