ROLE MODELS: GLORIA STEINEM VS. PARIS HILTON
Lorraine, I’ve been ruminating lately about the celeb rat packs (women who carry small dogs in purse patches) such as Paris Hilton. Since she’s been released from jail, her friends Nicole and Lindsey have seen some iron bars themselves. Britney seems to be destined for some time in the slammer. So, I’ve been struck with the ominous question: WHO ARE MY CHILDREN’S ROLE MODELS, ESPECIALLY MY DAUGHERS?
I began thinking back to right before Paris Hilton went to jail (the leader of the pack). I remember watching The View and those women who never listen to each other were discussing this very critical national security issue of Paris Hilton and her impending jail sentence. Paris was fighting this so hard, she seemed willing to give up her first-born pooch purse.
Why was the legal system being so hard on Poor Pouty Paris? I mean, reaaaalllly, it was just a couple of minor offenses like DUI’s, fender benders, driving at night without headlights on, and oh yes, operating a vehicle with that pesky suspended license. The authorities are surely being tough on her to set an example for the rest of us. I’m appalled.
As the mother of four children who are around her age, I am appalled!
NOT…
As I sat there chewing antacids, calcium included, at a record rate watching clips of Paris and her enabling mother leaving the courtroom, I was stricken with the horrible thought that my children, especially my daughters, really don’t have any great role models (other than me, of course) for their generation.
Rosie, Joy, Baba and even Baby Lizzie must have been reading my mind because they started pointing out the same thing. The first three couldn’t think of any good younger role models for young women and Lizzie astutely pointed out the often thought of role model Mandy Moore (Mandy who?).
It brought me back to the day when our role models were Gloria Steinem, Betty Freidan and the many women who protested and demanded equality in the work force, protested the Vietnam War and worked in both their careers and motherhood.
I think we can all agree that the feminist movement is sadly a thing of the past. This generation of young people seems more concerned with what’s going on in the daily lives of celebrities than the ongoing ravages of the war in Iraq or global warming.
God help me, I hope I’m wrong. Young people ages 16-30, please tell me I’ve got early onset of dementia and name all the great role models that serve as your muses (and please tell me you know what that word means).
With that in mind, I’ve decided before I make unfair judgments against my offspring and their peers, I’d go to them directly and ask them 2 questions:
1. What do you think of Paris Hilton?
2. Who are your role models (besides me of course)?
Anybody out there with kids, ask them and tell us who their role models are.
September 18th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Enjoyed reading this blog. As far as role models go, I think the days of Gloria Steinem (who by the way, never was a mother), are over. Poor Sally Field is carrying the banner, and I cringed as I watched her flubb her way through her speech at the Emmy’s last week. Personally, I think she would have got a lot more mileage out of a heart felt THANK YOU to our military, and a sleep safe tonight (I do, because of THEM).
Paris and her posse of bad girls are fed by the media frenzy that follows them, publishes their pics, and we watch. I think I will call my daughter, and ask her the questions, I only hope they are not answered with profound silence!
September 18th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Paris Hilton is a moron. She shouldn’t be a role model because she is in the national spotlight. She is an example of how not to live your life. Maybe she is good for the children in that sense.
September 19th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
There is no money to be made in being a good role model. People don’t want to hear about a young women who reads and gives to chairty. The young people of yesterday had a reality check when their friends were getting drafted or they had to fight for equal rights. A reality check surley seems like it’s coming in some form or another, (i.e. global warming, Iran, War on everything etc.). Time will tell whether or not these kids will rise to the challenge or continue to de-evolve until life imitates art and we become the planet of the apes.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Role models…… does there really have to be a role model ? Who do you aspire to be like ? As a kid growing up I suppose that to be an Astronaut or a Fireman or whatever turned you on as a kid might lean you towards what you wanted to be when you grew up. But, I believe that young adults do know right from wrong. The true role models are parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles. In general family has a lot of influence in early years. Teachers, Instructors, and coaches will have a major influence in the later years. I would be more concerned with them as role models. The Media likes to report on high profile people like Paris because of the entertainment value, but thats what it is, entertainment.
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