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.

Television can help cultivate a child's mind

     We were given a list of words which were used as metaphors for television in Detweiller and Taylor's article. Many of these words resonated with me as I spent much of my childhood watching television. Most people would think this would be detrimental to a child yet I believe that many of the shows shaped my personality into who I am today. (I am not a carbon copy of Sesame Street, and my idols are not Samurai Pizza Cats if that's what you're thinking). Instead, many of the shows I watched were funny, educational and age appropriate which are all very important factors. From watching shows like Lamb Chop's Play Along and Recess I got my sense of humor, learned right from wrong and attained an imagination that I wouldn't give up for the world.

     Of course my parents and school had a large impact on me as well but these shows gave me something that they couldn't. They were constant companions that I could turn on when the former were not available. Also, I don't think my parents or teachers would have been able to make up daily stories of the adventures to be had by a boy football shaped head in the middle of New York City or what evil forces a beautiful warrior princess had to save the world from. I mean, that would have been tiring!

     The stories I watched and absorbed helped me create my own. My imagination grew and became rich. I could make up stories instantly when we had creative writing assignments and playing with my Barbies turned into three-act plays.

     The negative connotations people attribute to television and children such as it being a replacement baby-sitter, taking away from the responsibility of parents and acting as a sedative are false. If the children are watching the right programs that teach them things it helps their minds flourish which later in life will allow them to create beautiful things. Parents allowing their children to watch the right kids' shows is a healthy and important aspect which will help a child's mind develop to a creative and intelligent adult mind.