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Image Is Everything
The advertisements that we see on television and the fancy marketing schemes that touch every aspect of our lives say it very clearly: image is everything! It is not about what kind of person you might be, it is simply what your image is that counts. To quote the famous Billy Crystal character from an old Saturday Night Live episode, "Darling looks are everything, and you look marvelous!" But, as phony as most of these images are, there is something to be said about the way that a person portrays themselves. When some one sees you and the way you present yourself, what image are you sending out? Is it positive or negative and do you really care?
Those folks who are put into positions of fame and notoriety have no choice but to care. When they decide to become a movie star, or a professional athlete, and yes even our public figures such as our police officers and politicians, they no longer have the option of not caring. How many times have we heard these people say, "hey, I didn't ask to be a role model, and I will do as I please." That would be fine except for the fact that these people who look up to you, in most cases, will also do "as you please." When you accept the position, and all that comes with it, you must also accept the responsibility. This seems like minimal acceptance for all of the power, authority, notoriety, and in some cases money that comes with these positions (My apologies to the police concerning the money reference).
Too many young people are influenced by these people and parents have to step in from time to time to act as shield from those who use the media as a pulpit to advance their attempt to convince the world that they are trashy. Just in case you are out of the loop, trashy is very popular right now. But do you really want that to be the way that your kids act too? Every time someone criticizes Britney's outfits, or Christina's piercing's, Paris' videos, or Janet's tendency to show us a little more of her talents than we had bargained for, they are labeled as an old prude. There is no demand for ethics or morals in the world of today's public figures. It simply does not make money. Those who have tried usually end up out of favor with the viewing audiences. We say that we do not want our kids to grow up acting this way or acting that way, but we pay $85 for a front row ticket where "this or that way" type behavior is personified to the screaming desires of thousand of young people as well as many parents who sit right beside them and for a few scream right along with the kids. What is wrong with this picture?
Let's face it. We cannot depend on our public figures to do the things that we all know that they should by presenting positive role models for our kids. It is up to us. We can not complain about how our kids are acting and then give them money for a new tattoo or just one more piercing. We have to actually be the parent every once in a while. It may not be popular and it may keep us from being our kid's "best friend", but it will pay off mightily in the long run. Think about it the next time that you and your kids are watching a music video that shows more flesh than you would see at a nude beach in the Bahamas.
Talk about image, what image are you sending to your kids?
For further information, visit www.voice4victims.com
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