Society, composed of all its subtleties, twists, and turns reflects upon the character of the people. When the people start to crumble so does the social structure. However, our lives aren't on display for the world to see, so problems in our society become merely statistics. Stars can't enjoy the comfort the "Average Joe Six pack" can. 24/7 they are being constantly monitored, stalked, and scrutinized for their every action. There issues are placed in the streets for all eyes to behold of. This can become a double-edged sword, on one side their innermost secrets and struggles become publicized, and on the other they can use this attention to help with awareness and funding for the disease. some cower away from such responsibilities, but a few rise up to this mantle and use their influence in the best way they know how.
One of the most common psychological issues among celebrities is anxiety and depression. Magazines, tabloids, gossip TV shows, reviews, and public opinion are main contributors to these problems. (http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/10/02/jane-pauleys-battle-with-bipolar/) Introducing Mind to he Media by Margarita Tartakovsky wrote,
" Celebrities get publicly punished for three things:
Putting on weight
Looking anorexic
Having cellulite
Celebrities get publicly praised for only two though:
Looking thin
Losing weight (while sharing their diet and workout secrets!) ."
Her article went on to say that the media through the intense examination of stars physical features, harm our own image on how we should look. The image is being constantly thrown at us that we begin to look inward and question, "am i too fat, am i ugly, does anyone like," by this happening the foundation of our self-esteem and confidence begins to erode; this leads us down the path of anxiety and depression that these famous stars are experiencing.
The Olson twins once the darlings of the American family fell into the grips of weight loss. Mary-Kate officially checked in for anorexia-nervosa. The goal is not to be thin, but rather healthy not all weight is for all people. do what best fits you and not what social norms say.
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5 comments:
You're absolutely right. Celebrities are condemned for being a little less than perfect. Your point brings an irony to this world
1) Celebrities should be role models
2) these famous and rich people bear to take on the criticism when they don't have to.
i wholly agree. it must be astronomically hard to have your every action watched and analyzed.
oh yeah i agree 100%.. we sit there and judge them for going to rehab and having drug abuse and things like that.. but it is us that make them depressed/cause them to do irrational things like that. most of the celebs are actually very smart/talented and would never even think about doing things like that, but the pressures/problems WE put on them cause them to do things like that... how ironic?
Like everyone else, I completely agree with what you've said. Pressure from the media and society in general can do a lot of psychological harm to celebrities, causing anxiety and stress. The expectations that WE put on them are sometimes the causes of their problems.
Your presentation makes this seem like some vicious cycle. We want celebrities to be good looking, so they become thin, then we think that's how we should look, and then we think that is what looks good. Like you said, all this stress and pressure can really cause people to crack and have a disorder. I like how Ms. Tartakovsky is so contradictory: celebrities are condemned for being anorexic but praised for being thin.
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