Britney Spears, Jamie Lynn Spears,
Lindsey Lohan, we are all very familiar with their stories. Once
famous child stars who grew up to have a bright future in various
media industries, and then their dark decent from fame and fortune to
in most cases a drug addict mess. This story is not uncommon among
media stars especially those who grew up in the environment since
they were children. Both men and women have fallen victim to the
darker side of fame. But I have noticed a double standard among these
individuals.
You see when ever a female who was
once a child star is caught in a drug or sex scandal people
immediately start pointing fingers at one person in
particular...their mother. Many say that the mothers of these women
forced their children to engage in activities that endangered their
children physically or mentally for the sole purpose of monetary
gain. And though this may be true the same might not be said if a
male is caught in the same position.
A great example of this is the once
“King of Pop” Michael Jackson. From a young age Michael was
involved in professional music, originally a member of the family
band “The Jackson Five” and eventually going off on a solo
career, and the person that was guiding him with a very firm hand was
his father Joseph Jackson. His tight hold on Michael, though
successful and produced one of the greatest singers and dancers of
all time, caused significant emotional and mental damage to Michael
essentially robbing him of his childhood. This many believe had a
dramatic effect on Michael as an adult, yet very few put the blame on
his fathers shoulders, rather putting it all on the shoulders of
Michael himself.
Though the situation Michael faced is
incredibly similar to the situation many of the female stars faced,
we react completely differently. This double standard in a way says
that we believe that men should be held responsible for their actions
independent of what factors may have lead to the situation they find
themselves in and they deserve no sympathy. Where as women deserve
all the sympathy because they aren’t strong enough to deal with
emotional trauma as a child.
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