Ok so this one really confused me cause the prompt says "be sure to address the most compelling reasons or examples that could be used to challenge your position"...so it's almost like I'm arguing both sides strongly. When I re read my essay I realized it doesn't pick a side as much as it should and that my 3 body paragraphs aren't as strong as organized as I originally thought. Any suggestions on improvement is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Prompt: Sports stars and movie stars have an obligation to behave as role models for the young people who look up to them. In return for the millions of dollars that they are paid, we should expect them to fulfill this societal responsibility.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons or examples that could be used to challenge your position

The statement argues that movie stars and sports stars should set a good example, or act as a role model for young people who look up to them. The statement claims that because they are paid millions of dollars, they should be expected to fulfil this societal responsibility. First and foremost, it is important to define what constitutes a "role model" in the context of this passage. It will be assumed for this essay that a "role model" is one that does not engage in behaviours that are generally and morally accepted as "wrong". These behaviours may include the use of hard drugs, promiscuity, and criminal behaviour. Under this definition, movie stars and sports stars should be expected to act as good role models, considering the level of influence they have over young members of society.

Essay:


It is generally accepted that engaging in behaviours such as the use of hard drugs, promiscuity, and criminal behaviour can lead to negative consequences for an individual, whether that may be health issues, a negative reputation, or even incarceration. These behaviours can also strongly affect the people around the said offender. If many people were to be affected by these behaviours, society as a whole would be negatively affected, and therefore it follows that we should be trying to prevent members of society from engaging in them. However, it can be argued that each society, family, or even individual has a different "moral compass"; what may be wrong for one group of people may seem completely legitimate for another group of people. On the other hand, what may be considered acceptable by the general population - such as alcohol consumption - may be considered morally wrong by certain groups of people. In this case, it is difficult to say what constitutes "good" and "bad" behaviour, and how role models should behave.

The work of movie stars and sports stars are seen by millions of people, their actions and general lifestyles are also publisized by media outlets such as the news, internet, and social media. If sports stars and movie stars were to behave in a way that is generally considered "morally good", then negative influences on young members of society could be prevented, possibly leading to a more "clean" and moral society. If young people did not see these negative ideas being publicized, they may be less likely to engage in them themselves. It can be argued, however, that there are hundreds of other sources of information available to young people, especially in today's day and age. Members of society have access to all sorts of information, both positive and negative, via the internet, social media, and those individuals both directly and indirectly surrounding them. In addition to sports and movie stars having a large influence, politicians, musicians, and "YouTubers" also have a high degree of influence over society. The question that follows then, is that will movie and sports stars acting as good role models really have a positive effect, when members of society are also highly influenced by other individuals and streams of information?

It is widely accepted by many that having a society free from the aforementioned negative behaviours would lead to a "better" society, which may involve decreased drug use and criminal behaviour. Movie stars and sports stars behaving morally could show us how things "should be". On the other hand, this assumes that all human beings are inherently good and moral, when this may not be the case. Minorities such as those with mental illnesses need to be considered. The gradual invisibility of these negative behaviours from the lives of pop culture icons could, in fact, have a negative influence on those afflicted with mental ilnesses such as addiction, depression, and bulimia. Seeing the lives of pop culture icons be free from negativities those with mental ilnesses deal with on a daily bases could fuel their self perception of something being wrong with them. Instead, it may be better to expose these issues head on and discuss them rather than hiding them.

Though there are arguements as to why movie stars and sports stars should not be obligated to act as role models, as explored above, the arguement made by the statement would have more of a positive effect than a negative effect on society and younger members of it. Abstaining from activities that are generally considered morally wrong could allow movie and sports stars to use their widespread influence in a positive way and could even improve the lives and futures of young members of society.