Rich and famous. That’s what a US study of 18-25 year olds suggests are Generation Ys highest goals. Eighty-one percent of those surveyed in a recent Pew Research Center poll said getting rich is their generation's most important or second-most-important life goal. 51% said the same about being famous.
Researchers say part of the reason for the result is that Generation Y has been raised in the glare of their parents' omnipresent cameras. They're been showered with awards and accolades and are used to being noticed. But MTV, reality TV and celebrity culture are primary influencers too. Shows like Big Brother make ordinary people incredibly famous, and give lucrative sponsorship deals to the most liked. Programs like The Apprentice celebrate wealth and success, and celebrity magazines applaud the glamorous homes and lifestyles of athletes, actors and music stars. As one twenty-something noted in response to the survey, ‘We see reality TV shows with Jessica and Nick living the life. We see Britney and Paris. The people we relate to outside our friends are those people.’
But wealth and fame is a double-edged sword. In a recently released report, US pollster George Barna surveyed American recognition and favourability of 34 public figures. Only four figures had higher negative than positive scores, and they included Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. And Donald Trump, of The Apprentice fame, had the fifth highest negative rating. As Barna says, ‘fame is both a tough nut to crack, and an even tougher condition to master.’
Barna’s research is eye-opening for those in the Christian world looking for a bit of fame too. After decades of public prominence, James Dobson is unknown to two out of three Americans in general, and 50 per cent of American Christians. Although his book has sold more copies than any other non-fiction title besides the Bible, four out of five Americans have no idea who Rick Warren is; same goes for two out of three Christians. Similar statistics can be shown for Joel Osteen and Left Behind author Tim LaHaye—both considered relative superstars in the Christian scene.
The figures I’ve quoted are from the US, and one wonders how different surveys results would b if done in Australia. Yet, the proliferation of pages on MySpace and YouTube are signs that Aussie 18-25 year olds are just as keen to be noticed as their US counterparts. As one psychologist said, ‘My fear is [the] sense of emptiness and depression these kids might have as they age. They're putting their resources and energy and validation and self-worth into what people who aren't close to them think of them.’
What seems to be missing from our popular portrayal of the rich and famous are the stories of those who haven’t been able to make it work. As singer-songwriter Alanis Morrisette says, ‘[Fame] was touted as something that would raise your self-esteem and provide you with eternal happiness. Food would taste better, people would be more exciting, relationships would be great… I wish people could achieve what they think would give them happiness in order for them to realise that's not the way happiness can be found.’
If only the reality TV shows and gossip magazines told us that.
