Influence of Celebrities on Young People’s Aspiration for Higher Learning and Desire for Fame

Alero Aderonke Benson; Toyin Adinlewa

Authors

Alero Aderonke Benson Department of Mass Communication Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. Author
Toyin Adinlewa Department of Mass Communication Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. Author

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out if celebrities have any sort of influence on young people‟s aspiration for higher learning and desire for fame, especially through their shows and lifestyles shown on TV. Descriptive survey research method was employed, while questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. The outcome of the study showed that a large proportion of the respondents, 124 (82.5%), affirmed that they were exposed to celebrity shows and celebrity lifestyle programmes on television. Interestingly, despite respondents‟ willingness to pursue higher education, the outcome showed that respondents would take any opportunity that will make them famous over higher education. It was concluded that there is a definite relationship between exposure to celebrity lifestyle shows/programmes on television and the desire to be famous and rich.