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The Dangers of Having Celebrity Role Models

Celebrities are usually rich, talented, good looking and admired by many. Sadly, while most celebrities have admirable qualities, they often struggle with eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, either in an attempt to stay thin, a way to cope with pressure or as a result of the Hollywood night life. In addition, some stars "earned" their status by sleeping with other celebrities early in their careers. While it is fine to admire a star's musical or acting talents, it is dangerous to emulate their negative lifestyle choices.
  1. Eating Disorders

    • Many celebrities, particularly women, have thin physiques. Sometimes this comes naturally, but in many cases the pressure to stay thin leads to crash dieting, anorexia or bulimia. Many singers and actresses such as Victoria Beckham, Calista Flockhart, Britney Spears and Nicole Ritchie have suffered from an eating disorder at some point in their careers, and girls who attempt to look like these women can fall into the same destructive patterns. (See Reference 1)

    Drug and Alcohol Abuse

    • Some people envy the party lifestyle associated with stardom. Others believe that drug use can stimulate their creativity, enabling them to write better music and lyrics or produce high-quality artwork. While some celebrities believe that drug use stimulates their creativity, it is dangerous to copy their behavior in an attempt to enhance talent. Alcohol, cocaine, meth, prescription drugs and heroin, all of which are commonly abused by celebrities, can lead to brain damage and sometimes death. Marijuana, while not fatal on its own, can lead to fatalities when used before or while driving. Drugs and alcohol often demotivate and numb their users, which can be extremely distressing to witness.

    Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy

    • Many celebrities dress promiscuously and have a casual attitude towards sex. Some celebrities have even admitted to "sleeping their way to the top." Young people who admire these celebrities often try to dress and act like them, and believe it would be abnormal to do otherwise. This can cause teens to engage in sexual behavior before they're ready, which can lead to unwanted pregnancies and/or sexually transmitted diseases.

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