Cult of celebrity 'is harming children'

Cult of celebrity 'is harming children' by Lucy Cockcroft 14/03/2008

The cult of celebrity is producing a generation that believes education and hard work are not important in achieving success, claims the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. A survey found that more than 70 per cent of teachers in primary and secondary schools said the cult of celebrity was perverting children's aspirations and expectations. About 37 per cent of teachers believe their pupils want to be famous for being famous. They fear that many youngsters do not realise how hard their idols have worked to earn their fame.

The children will grow up to feel a sense of failure, alienation and low self-esteem when celebrity status is not achieved. Dr Mary Bousted, the association general secretary, said: "Celebrities can have a positive effect on pupils. They can raise pupils' aspirations. But we are concerned that many pupils believe celebrity status is available to everyone.

"They do not understand the hard work it takes to achieve such status and do not think it is important to be actively engaged in school work as education is not needed for a celebrity status."

David and Victoria Beckham are the celebrities most [UK] pupils model themselves on, the survey finds. The England footballer came top of the rankings with 53 per cent of teachers saying their pupils idolised him while his wife, Victoria, came second. Overall, sports stars are the most popular type of celebrity with pop singers, such as the Sugababes and Leona Lewis, ranking a close second, according to 60 per cent of teachers questioned.

Teachers say they are concerned about the type of career aspirations many of these idols may give their pupils. Elizabeth Farrar, from a primary school near Scunthorpe, said too many pupils believed academic success was not necessary, because they could become rich and famous through a reality TV show.

Cult of celebrity 'is harming Brahma Kumaris' by Lucky Cockcruft

The cult of celebrity is producing a generation of BK that believes Gyan and deep Yoga are not important in achieving moksha, claims the Association of Heretic and ex-BKs. A survey found that more than 70 per cent of sisters-in-charge in Raja Yoga centers and gitapathsalas said the cult of celebrity was perverting BK's aspirations and expectations. About 37 per cent of teachers believe their students want to be famous and do VIP service. They fear that many Brahmins do not realise how hard the Senior Sisters have worked to earn their fame.

BKs will grow up to feel a sense of failure, alienation and low self-esteem when celebrity status is not achieved. Dr Heavy Bedstead, the association's general secretary, said: "The Senior Sisters can have a positive effect on Raja Yogis. They can raise BK followers' aspirations. But we are concerned that many BK believe celebrity status is available to everyone."

"They do not understand the hard work it takes to achieve such status and do not think it is important to be actively engaged in study as education is not needed for a celebrity status."

Janki and Jayanti Kripalani are the celebrities most [UK] Brahmakumaris model themselves on, the survey finds. The global head came top of the rankings with 53 per cent of sisters-in-charge saying their followers idolised her while her clever backbone, Jayanti, came second. Overall, Senior Sisters are the most popular type of celebrity with actors and pop singers, such as Lucinda Drayton of Bliss and Clarke Peters, ranking a close second, according to 60 per cent of sisters-in-charge questioned.

Teachers say they are concerned about the type of career aspirations many of these idols may give BKs. Lisa-bet Far-out, from a Raja Yoga center near the Ed of the World, said too many BKs believed academic success was not necessary, because they could serve VIPS and appear on TV shows instead.

Watch out, young and old BK adepts: emulation is a typical monkey and parrot personality trait, not too royal, definitely not for self sovereigns to inculcate .