Pop-up Books vs. Pop Stars

The Pussycat Dolls latest hit When I Grow Up warns children with a catchy tune, “Be careful what you wish because you just might get it.” This is the anthem to the youth whose aspirations are to some day become a star. My love for children and job as a nanny for the past few years has made me an eyewitness to one of the most fascinating developments in the world, the impressionable mind of a child.  As a constant observer of what influences children’s development, I have noticed over the past ten years that there have been many changes. This hit single is an ideal example of how the media is infecting youthful minds by deceiving them to believe that, if they want live their teen/ adult lives as a celebrity that they someday could. I currently baby-sit for a few families whose children, I have recently noticed, are overly affected by the media, in particular the effects of Disney. Kids are not satisfied with playing hopscotch or Legos because they now have rock band; and they no longer aspire to be astronauts, lawyers, ballerinas, or mad scientists. They want to be HANNA MONTANA. A show about the life of a teen star and performer that attracted over 5.5 million viewers ages 6- 14 in the third season debut, making her cable’s number one entertainment program watched, according to Nielson Media Research data.

Thanks to Disney, a craze, or maybe more of an obsession, has broken out among children, conditioning some to it even before they can walk. The media, especially Disney, have put so much unnecessary emphasis on the celebrity lifestyle or being a performer, that kids can’t help but desire to some day grow up and be what they see on TV. Not only that, but at their young age, kids are imitating and obsessing over the actions of their beloved stars. These celebrities, at the same time, are being pictured in the tabloids without underwear or half naked and whose promiscuity shouldn’t be admired at any age. This is a problem.

Disney and other companies have chosen to fantasize the haunting high school years, through the very popular HIGH SCHOOL MUSCIAL and other programs on glorified teen life. I know, for some kids, that high school is looked upon as one of the worst times of their lives, because kids in high school are mean and its difficult to fit in. But of course, Disney is making high school hell out to be fantasy land where kids just sing and dance all day, never go to class, and everyone is accepted. This is far from reality, and now naïve 6 and 7 year olds who have become obsessed with being in high school are in for a real disappointment. Also, now that so many celebrities are the age of high school students, kids are getting the idea that they could be famous soon, at their young age.  This mania has been plaguing households with children for the past few years, instead of coloring or playing doctor they would rather perform in front of their friends or take turns pretending to live the unrealistic life of a celebrity. Another problem is that the parents are supporting it. They are out trying to get record deals for the thirteen year olds and buying everything in sight labeled Hanna Montana to make their children into little clones of these celebrities who not only lack decency, but often talent- the supposed reason for their fame.

These children are being deceived and censored to believe that these celebrities are living the ideal life, when we all know how tough life in the spotlight can be thanks to US Weekly. The media, Disney in particular, needs to alter the image they are projecting to kids these days. Disney needs to emphasize the realistic values of society and help kids to gain confidence in themselves by supporting their individuality, which ceases to exist when everyone wants to be the same thing. Are they realizing that these child celebrities, like Hanna Montana, are missing some of the most vital years of their development, from elementary through high school? They should sending the message to children telling them to be themselves, and to do what they love to do, not do what someone else loves to do. Instead, they are giving the impression that all you need in life is microphone, a cute outfit, and a sugar daddy. As a nanny, I have seen the effects that these Disney shows and movies have on kids, who will no longer settle for Playdoh or Barbies, but would rather have a publicist and a hit single. Our society has produced these Hollywood driven offspring because of their desire to be like the icons idolized by the media. When in reality, the need for teachers, doctors, and leaders is rapidly increasing, the last thing our society needs is another teenager who becomes a billion dollar star over-night, for no real reason, and then is accepted by society when they become pregnant at 16. According to the Business Education Forum, in the next decade schools will need 200,000 plus teachers in math and science, is Disney planning on replacing them? 

~Maddy Weese