Thanks to the popularity boom of an array of media and sports celebrities, the phenomenon of young people idolizing these public figures has become increasingly pervading, even when they do not act as a beacon of ethics. Although this phenomenon can be a driving force for youth, its being a negative development aligns with my personal belief due to some convincing reasons and will be elaborated on in the following essay.
Admittedly, the act of admiring public figures can exert certain beneficial effects on young people. Firstly, it can bolster motivation and determination in youth. Athletes, for instance, have to undergo years of intensive training and dedication to reach elite competitions and international fame, which exemplifies preserverance and remarkable discipline, inspiring young people to pursue their own ambitions. Secondly, these celebrities can encourage youth to partake in meritorious activities. Specifically, that public individuals are one of the most pivotal elements in popularizing art and sport fields, inspiring young generation to join in the socially beneficial activities, thereby enhancing their self-betterment.
However, this tendency will still present a deleterious development if temperate admiration gallops into blind idolization. To commence with, it can spawn the emulation of illicit behaviors. Teenagers, who are at a highly impressionable age, often witness the celebrities’ engaging in unethical activities such as substance abuse, power misuse, etc. Consequently, they may downplay the severity of these activities, continue to admire and copy them, progressively eroding their own ethical standards. For example, when a well-known entertainer commits a crime, instead of being boycotted, this entertainer still receives massive admiration from young fans. Additionally, the culture of celebrity worship creates misapprehension about success and ethical values among young followers. It leads them to believe that achieving fame grants them immunity from punishment, even when they are involved in scandals. As a result, they might fall for this trap and persistently commit wrongdoings.
To recapitulate, irrespective of the incontrovertible motivation and determination to adopt act constructive interests, admiring celebrities without taking moral values into consideration can result in their behaviors deviating from ethical norms and the distorted apprehension of success and moral limits, which shows that this phenomenon is ultimately a damaging development