“Paris Hilton as a Role Model”

Only a couple of days back Paris HiltonParis Hilton landed in Dubai for a 21 days long visit. According to her she will be promoting her reality series, as she is “looking for a friend who is loyal and has good intentions”.

Going through the local press I could not help not noticing one of her lines that stated: “I’m a good role model”. Of course I did not burst into laughter, as the idea of a role model is something inspiring, serious not to mention the achievements one should have in order to be a role model for the others.

So I was just thinking: are there more types of role models, or a general principal for being a role model? Or maybe the rules for defining a role model have been changed. Or maybe role models can be defined according to fields of interests, fame (not necessary connected with life time achievements), money, tabloids or scandals.

Why is Paris Hilton a role model? What does define her?

She is an American socialite also considered by some a media personality, singer and actress (in what concerns the last two attributes, allow me to doubt). Anyway, so far she is best known for sentence in a Los Angeles County jail in 2007, her friendship with Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian, , advertising campaigns, some movies, some books (one of them Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose has been considered as amateurish but that did not stop it from becoming a New York Times bestseller- I would say curiosity of the people could be a reason, but hey you never know), a parody advertisement "Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Ad" in 2008, driving violations (driving under the influence of alcohol), and of course the famous sex tape.

I could not say that her biography is not “impressive” but I am having hard time placing her on the same level with say…other role models like you know…other people who through their work might have influenced our lives (human rights fighters, social workers, politicians, singers…etc. There are so many names that could be mentioned here that I do not know which ones to choose)

Can we see Paris Hilton as a role model? Has she really done anything life changing for the others? (Something that did not involve gaining money out of it or good T.V. ratings?)

Where would Paris stand if she did not have any money? What would she have done? What are her achievements that we should follow? Anyone can pretend to be someone with designer clothes and accessories, money and fame.

A role model is more that just a pretty face, well dressed and socially active person. A role model does things for the others.