Role Model? Who? Me? I'm Just a Celebrity.

Amy Macdonald was right when she observed that everyone has an idol nowadays. Understandably, most idols are also deemed as role models.

However, the concepts of role model and idol are not necessarily synonymous or compatible. While some idols portray positive values, there is arguably far too many whose behaviors leave much to be desired.

Who is to conclude that the latter does not belong or are undeserving of their seemingly privileged status? With inordinate beauty and talent combined with our voracious appetite for reality entertainment, the limelight was inescapable.

However, they should at least make a conscious effort to inspire exemplary values and attitudes in the people who support and look up to them. Unlike us mere mortals who may be able to influence a few friends or family members, if any, they possess the enviable power to influence the mass.

There is therefore a greater responsibility on their shoulders to be be exemplary in their public lives. Admittedly, this is an awesome responsibility but they must not shirk it or shy away. It goes hand in hand with being in the limelight.

Indisputably, life not only imitates life, it also imitates art, so they need to be cognizant of that and gauge their actions and artistic works, if any, accordingly.

Some adults, by virtue of their superior sense of what is right or wrong, will be better judges of what is emulateable. Impressionable children and teenagers, however, are more likely to be led astray.

It is imperative that people in the limelight recognize that they play a more significant role in the socialization of today's generation than any other unit, not excluding the family. So overpowering is their influence that their admirers will not desist from embracing them even when they prove to be a bad influence.

Therefore, there is a reasonable expectation that they will behave responsibly; otherwise they will relay the wrong signals.

But are they to be blamed entirely for their perpetual acts of indiscretions? This may be debatable, but I firmly believe that the media is to share the blame because it tends to focus its pens and lens, without any reprimand, on attention-seeking tearaways.

An absence of reprimand and financial penalties for unacceptable behaviour, combined with the presence of unwavering support from doting fans, will do nothing to encourage positive role models.

Therefore, the media, and most importantly, us, should send a clear message that there is no glory in or rewards for misdeeds.