Analysis 1-4-4: Heroes and the Cult of Celebrity

In the media today and celebrity world there are many heroes. What makes you a hero though? Is it strength, courage, supernatural powers, intelligence, or just your character? Either way there are many characteristics and things that create a hero. MTV's Teen Mom is a show that has gained heroes through the eyes of the viewers.

Catelynn and Tyler, are a good example of heroes. They may not have supernatural powers, but the decision they have made has made them heroes to viewers. These 2 teens made the biggest decision of their life, to give up their daughter Carly up for adoption. This decision took a lot of selflessness, strength, love, and courage to make. Everyone was against their choice and yet they still made the decision so that Carly could have a chance of a great life and family, something they couldn't provide. Some will say they took the easy way out because they no longer had the responsibility of being a teen parent after giving her up for adoption. To most they are heroes though because they knew with the circumstances they were in, the living environment, and being so young they couldn't be the parents that Carly deserved. They wanted better for her.

Farrah, mom to Sofia, is also a hero. She didn't make the decision to be a single teem mom, but due to unfortunate events had to. She didn't for one second make alternative decisions on what to do about her unborn child. She knew she was going to be a mom and was prepared to do it alone. Most would say that takes a lot of strength, courage, love, and determination on her part. Farrah is not only a mom, but graduated high school, is attending culinary school, and works as well. Being a mom is a hard job in itself, but being a single mom is even harder. Farrah is proving that it can be done and you can make something out of yourself no matter what. For all these reasons she is a hero.

Now although there are some good stories on Teen Mom, this show falls into the cult of celebrity. This show is making the teens on it celebrities. These teens are appearing on covers of magazines, making tabloids, and making a name for themselves through being on the show. We cater to this cult because we are fascinated by what goes on in their lives by watching the show or buying what ever they appear in. We see what the media does to hype this up and we feed into.