Paris Hilton wants to be your daughter's role model

The Rage has written about her fear of having a daughter who capers about the kitchen, singing "My Lady Lumps" and pouts like Paris Hilton when I ask her to do her homework. Shudder. Just yesterday, Paris Hilton announced in Turkey that she sees herself as a role model for young girls. She went on to note to Reuters: "I work very hard and I've built this empire on my own. I think this is an inspiration for a lot of girls out there." Maybe for girls who strive to star in their own sex videos and don't want to wear underwear. It's interesting to note that in 1998, the British government tried to designate sanctioned role models  through a "new initiative for  women." The Spice Girls topped the list until Victoria Beckham (then Adams)  and Mel Brown got pregnant and officials worried that teen girls would follow suit.

How do you encourage your daughter to pick the right role models? What would you do if your daughter announced that she wanted to be "Paris Hilton" when she grew up?

photo: Wally Skalij for LA Times. 

Comments

[emily]

For me personally and my 11-year-old, we discuss the positive things people should be famous for -- being intelligent, contributing positive things to society, curing cancer, etc. I say outright that people like Paris Hilton and Jamie Lynn Spears are not good role models because they do not demonstrate the morals that we value in our house. We discuss the difference between being famous and important, because today's tweens/teens don't understand the that. Now more than ever we have to protect our young kids from this pervasive culture of garbage. When Anna Nicole Smith's death spawns weeks of live TV coverage, I feel the need to go live in a bunker in Montana.

[Natalie]

Paris Hilton wants to be an inspiration to girls eveywhere. She claims to have worked hard to have built her empire. With the silver spoon Hilton fortune stuck in her butt that seems bring out nothing less than her entire range of bad behavour and stupidity, I hardly think I want my daughter to be like her. I haven no need to worry because my daughter already thinks she is a pretentious phony bimbo.

[Jerry Klein]

To me, Paris Hilton represents the essence of the modern empowered woman. She is not afraid to use her sexuality to achieve great wealth. Her reputation may be less than spotless, but she has found her niche, and rather than railing against the society that craves celebrity gossip, she feeds the fire, always finding new scandals with which to enlarge her empire. It is hypocritical to say Paris Hilton is a poor role model for today's young girls.
Most parents today are self-indulgent brats themselves. Yet they want their children to ignore the fact that things like cable tv, giant SUVs, 5000 square foot exurban homes, and breast implants are what a giant majority of rich americans consider signs of success. As much as Americans may hate Paris Hilton, they serve as a rapt and obedient audience, hungrily awaiting her next scandal.

[Susie]

I agree with Natalie: how can paris hilton be a role model when she did not WORK to get what she wants, rather it was given to her in a silver platter (literally). Those who worked hard, in my personal opinion, is those who started from scratch, from the dirty floor of the streets and become successful in whatever she/ he did. They cried from stress, emotional, mental, financial, and physical, but they still tread forward and continue to bear their pain and are where they are. Paris is, no doubt, the last person who i would consider as a role model.

Paris Hilton, should be fortunate for her background and with that should EDUCATE herself. she has more than enough money to (understatement)... but she doesn't. Cuz she is ignorant, naive, and superficial. However, like Jerry says... it is not her fault. However, I blame HER PARENTS. they are the ones who could've changed her into a TRUE role model. they could've made her the best that she can be. She would be provided the best education, the best training, etc, however, they let her be frolicking and clubbing and allowing, even flaunting her sex tapes. This is due to paris's parents ignorance and lack of parental guidance. Its a shame that what can be turned into a great success and hope is turned to trash and gossip. Its never too late to change, but u need to realize what needs to be done and have the commitment for it.

To all the parents out their: education and motivation is key to a child's success. Love and dedication as well. Encourage your child to do their best, don't make them. Its how we teach our students that will determine their outcome in life.

[Susie]

I agree with Natalie: how can paris hilton be a role model when she did not WORK to get what she wants, rather it was given to her in a silver platter (literally). Those who worked hard, in my personal opinion, is those who started from scratch, from the dirty floor of the streets and become successful in whatever she/ he did. They cried from stress, emotional, mental, financial, and physical, but they still tread forward and continue to bear their pain and are where they are. Paris is, no doubt, the last person who i would consider as a role model.

Paris Hilton, should be fortunate for her background and with that should EDUCATE herself. she has more than enough money to (understatement)... but she doesn't. Cuz she is ignorant, naive, and superficial. However, like Jerry says... it is not her fault. However, I blame HER PARENTS. they are the ones who could've changed her into a TRUE role model. they could've made her the best that she can be. She would be provided the best education, the best training, etc, however, they let her be frolicking and clubbing and allowing, even flaunting her sex tapes. This is due to paris's parents ignorance and lack of parental guidance. Its a shame that what can be turned into a great success and hope is turned to trash and gossip. Its never too late to change, but u need to realize what needs to be done and have the commitment for it.

To all the parents out their: education and motivation is key to a child's success. Love and dedication as well. Encourage your child to do their best, don't make them. Its how we teach our students that will determine their outcome in life.

[Frank]

No way is Paris a role model. She's a mental case. You have to be real dumb if your beliving all the fake trips she's taking to other countries to help other kids, but who ever is allowing Paris to meet kids is presenting a false idol to kids, and that's not good. Please nobody give Paris anymore work.

[Jeremy]

Jerry, it's hardly hypocritical to call Paris a poor role model as I'm not a rich, self-indulgent adult brat hungrily awaiting Paris' next scandal.

There's no doubt that Paris is in full control of her image and is milking America's unfortunate tabloid obsession, but that doesn't make her an ideal role model, although I'm sure many young girls do consider her one.

Oh yeah, what "empire" has she built exactly? Her music and movies tanked. She doesn't actually do anything. Rome, now there was an empire...

[Miss I]

*thump*

that was me, falling out of my chair, in a fit of hysterical laughter.

[Mike]

Idiot. Conrad Hilton built an empire. All Paris did was win the last name lotto and flaunt a dislike for underwear. She is a waste of a human being who wouldn't know reality if it ran her over on Sunset while she was crossing the street intoxicated.

[karl anglin]

PARIS WHO?

[Stephanie]

I agree with Susie in that Paris' lifestyle and life outlook is the fault of her parents. Look at Ivanka Trump. She was similarly born with a silver spoon, but has done something with herself other than frequent club openings and put out horrendous singles. I'm sure she won't deny that her family's wealth helped her, but she's proven herself to be a business-savvy, poised woman own her own, not just your typical Hollywood actress-singer wannabe. Plus, I once heard Paris say on the radio that she didn't know what a laundromat was. Removed from reality? Delusional? I think so.