Justin Bieber: A Safe Role Model for Kids

      As a child I listened to many artists whose music I may describe as "terrible" today. (Though I doubt I will ever say this of the Spice Girls, they forever will remain nothing short of amazing). I'd buy the CDs to the numerous one hit wonders I would hear about on television or on the radio and sing along to the chorus as that was the only part that I could remember. (Unless it was by the Spice Girls, then I'd know the entire song, including the lyrics to any unreleased version). While I liked these teenybopper bands and even admired some of the artists I do not remember any of them promoting any sort of religion, and if they did it clearly did not resonate strongly with me. Their job was to entertain audiences, make a quick buck and retire to Florida in their thirties.

     In class this week we learned about the different types of Christian bands. We also discussed Justin Bieber and his song, "Pray". Justin Bieber would fall into the Transformationist category as he proclaims his religious views and even has songs, which have religious connotations (though not specific to any one in general) yet he is a mainstream pop music artist.

     Whether Justin Bieber truly is religious or not, I don't know. Yet I do think that he, or should I say the people managing him have an agenda. Justin, (we're on a first name basis), is only seventeen years old, making him a minor. He's young and therefore people want to believe he is innocent, especially since he is a role model to many even younger children due to his career choice. Parents want to keep the innocence of their children intact for as long as possible and in turn, hope that the people their children look up to will be a good example so their children will mimic them and stay on the right path. This, of course, also leaves Charlie Sheen without the option of being a role model.

     Ask yourself, "What is the best example to follow in order to be good?" The age-old response would be to follow a religion. In most cases, people claim that religion keeps them on a straight track and makes them want to do good in the world.

     The people behind Justin, those making money off of his career such as managers, PR people, etc. wish to make as much money as possible. Therefore, they decide to take the fact (or possibly not in the case that Justin is not religious at all or is religious within a different faith than Christianity), and use it to market him. He is told to mention his faith in the Christian God in interviews, songs, music videos, etc. Parents see this and feel a sense of relief. Their children are listening to lyrics that mention love and dating yet the person behind them is a pious and honorable kid. The fact that most Americans are Christians is not a coincidence either. Justin is marketed towards the masses in order to make the most money. Then again, even if parents aren't Christians or religious at all they would prefer their kids to listen to Justin's music and look up to him rather than someone such as Katy Perry or Ke$ha who blatantly use their sexuality and lack of religion to market themselves. (Though Ke$ha should really think again about the former aspect).

     In conclusion, Justin Bieber may be a good Christian kid who is a safe bet when it comes to people's kids yet regardless of his true faith the ideas and image he puts out to the world are just as manufactured as any other celebrity's persona.