Before I begin, I feel that some people haven’t got the capacity to take into account all sides of this issue. So let’s set things straight.
Every time a celebrity or well-known person does something outside what we are used to seeing, there is always a group of people who will whinge about how what they have done is demeaning and offensive to greater society.
One example is when Daniel Radcliffe, who we all know and love as the actor who plays Harry Potter, appeared in a stage of production of Equus. Equus is all about a boy’s love of horses, and features Radcliffe fully nude in one scene.
Another is Lindsey Vonn, the American alpine skier. She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated recently, and not only that, but also had a section in the Swimsuit Issue.
Also from the Winter Olympics, the Canadian women’s ice hockey team were caught out on the ice drinking and smoking after their win against the United States for the gold medal.
The problem arises when someone or a group of people (e.g. a parents’ organisation) makes a lot of noise about said well-known person and condemns their actions.
Parents (especially from England) said that Radcliffe was setting a bad example to children, by encouraging them to do something risqué (possibly something related to nudity). Likewise, people said that Vonn was no longer a role model for young girls getting into snow sports.
The first thing these narrow-minded people need to realise is that celebrities and people in general mature as they get older. Daniel Radcliffe can’t play characters that are geared towards children forever, he has a career path to follow that leads to bigger and better things.
In Vonn’s case, athletes like people in general like to have some variety in life, and it is completely harmless doing a fashion shoot. Especially when you just happen to look good.
As for the Canadians, they deserved that gold medal because they won the match. So what’s wrong with celebrating? I’m hoping you’ve been to a party before.
For parents, what they need to realise is that by over-protecting your children, you are exposing them to higher risk activities in the future. For example, if your kid climbed up and fell off a tree when they were young, would you think that they have learned not to put themselves in such a risk in the future?
For narrow-minded people, if you think something is socially acceptable, shouldn’t those in the public eye be allowed to think the same?
Why are we so selective about what is correct and what isn’t? Why have we not said anything discouraging about Emma Watson becoming a major figure in the fashion world?
Have we forgotten how society learns from the risks it takes?
