The Kardashian Effect
I remember after Kim Kardashian posted a typically revealing picture she expressed frustration that people labeled her a poor role model. She said that since she doesn't get in trouble with the law and doesn't drink or do drugs she didn't understand why it would make anyone upset that she was proud of her body and shared that with the world.
I agree with the naysayers: I think the Kardashians are terrible role models. The reason has both everything and nothing to do with their controversial pictures. It's not that they post the pictures; it's that they ONLY post those pictures.
No matter how hard the Kardashians claim they work, their success is entirely built around image. They peddle clothing, cosmetics, and diet pills by convincing us we have to look a certain way in order to be acceptable. The waist trainers, the lip kits, the "revenge body," - all of their products are tied into conforming to societal beauty standards.
Furthermore, despite the fact that Kim claims she is revealing her body because she is proud of it, she comes across as very self-conscious. I think she shares so many pictures because she needs outside approval. She wants people to tell her that she is still hot so that she feels relevant. The sisters make a point to publicly announce their weights and sizes like they want everyone to tell them they've done a good job. It's not healthy to rely on external validation.
Let me be clear. There is nothing wrong with being attractive or trying to look your best. The goal, though, should be to be healthy and happy. When your entire life is tied up in your appearance, you are setting yourself up for pain at some point in the future. You are relying on someone else, such as a magazine editor or a consumer, to tell you that you are good enough. They can change their minds. Eventually, you will age, and although it isn't fair, society will lose interest.
The question, then, is what else do you have to offer? What else can you contribute to the world? For all their fame and fortune, the Kardashians do very little to promote strong, smart women. They hardly ever speak about worthy causes. They seem to tell young women that you should be proud of your body - but only if it's conventionally sexy. To them, attention is everything.
That is what makes them bad role models. Intelligence, courage, compassion, and grit are all worth more than anything the Kardashians have to offer...at least in my book.
I agree with the naysayers: I think the Kardashians are terrible role models. The reason has both everything and nothing to do with their controversial pictures. It's not that they post the pictures; it's that they ONLY post those pictures.
No matter how hard the Kardashians claim they work, their success is entirely built around image. They peddle clothing, cosmetics, and diet pills by convincing us we have to look a certain way in order to be acceptable. The waist trainers, the lip kits, the "revenge body," - all of their products are tied into conforming to societal beauty standards.
Furthermore, despite the fact that Kim claims she is revealing her body because she is proud of it, she comes across as very self-conscious. I think she shares so many pictures because she needs outside approval. She wants people to tell her that she is still hot so that she feels relevant. The sisters make a point to publicly announce their weights and sizes like they want everyone to tell them they've done a good job. It's not healthy to rely on external validation.
Let me be clear. There is nothing wrong with being attractive or trying to look your best. The goal, though, should be to be healthy and happy. When your entire life is tied up in your appearance, you are setting yourself up for pain at some point in the future. You are relying on someone else, such as a magazine editor or a consumer, to tell you that you are good enough. They can change their minds. Eventually, you will age, and although it isn't fair, society will lose interest.
The question, then, is what else do you have to offer? What else can you contribute to the world? For all their fame and fortune, the Kardashians do very little to promote strong, smart women. They hardly ever speak about worthy causes. They seem to tell young women that you should be proud of your body - but only if it's conventionally sexy. To them, attention is everything.
That is what makes them bad role models. Intelligence, courage, compassion, and grit are all worth more than anything the Kardashians have to offer...at least in my book.
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