In the article "Imitation of Film: Here's Smoking at You, Kid." by Nicholas Balakar, Balakar explains how movies and their actors/actresses can easily influence the actions of young teens, and pre-teens. In this case, Balakar is worried that performers who smoke on the big screen, may cause teens that watch these films to imitate the habit of smoking. Teens can easily be influenced by their peers, especially when their peers are famous actors/actresses, or performers; It's their job for these entertainers to capture the audience, be the center of attention, and the kids that look up to them as roll models, may mimic their action or behavior without knowing what their doing is right or wrong.
As a kid growing up, one person I have looked up to would be Jeff Hardy. Jeff is a Pro-Wrestler, an entertainer. He was the cool wild type, who would put out everything in him to entertain the fans. Only recently he was fired from his job, because of a drug related issue. I was really in shock and disappointed. Someone who I've looked up too, who I thought was invincible. I can't begin to imagine what It must of felt like to let down the millions of fans around the world.
Another person I look up to, Bill Goldberg(a pro-wrestler as well.) A couple years ago, Goldberg (Who was on hiatus) returned, because he wanted to do what he loved again. But just recently, he had quit he job. His excuse was he didn't like contents of the show. He felt it was not appropriate for his audiences and his fans, and felt his character was influencing his fans in a negative tone.
When young kids can't find someone close to look up to as a roll model, they look up to strangers like movie stars, singers, or athletes. We don't know them personality, but they appear in the news all the time. The kids don't know why they are on tv, but it must be cool to be on tv, so the kids admire them.
