Stop Rewarding Bad Behavior

There is a disturbing trend in our society: act poorly, break the law, get rewarded.  All you have to do is get drunk, scream, urinate in a bush, puke on a reality show, have a meltdown, live an overtly promiscuous lifestyle, act violent towards your significant other, break the law, or neglect your children, and you can write your ticket to a book deal and various spokesperson gigs.

What kind of message does this send to our youth? Act poorly and you can have everything you've ever dreamed of having? 

We are living in a backwards world. What happened to right vs. wrong? What happened to applauding good deeds and imposing consequences upon those who prefer to act in a less civilized manner? 

Apparently, the push to reward bad behavior is working...sadly. 

Charlie Sheen sold out shows in mere minutes at the legendary Radio City Music Hall--an establishment that has seen some of the classiest performances of legends past.  CBS recently took a stand in light of Charlie Sheen's less-than-stellar behavior, firing him from Two And A Half Men.  However, after selling out Radio City, reports have surfaced that CBS is trying to woo Sheen back into the fold. Again, what kind of a message does this send? Drugs use, porn parties, drinking, and alleged acts of violence are apparently meaningless when money is involved.

Last night, while watching Dancing With The Stars, I heard them announce Chris Brown as next week's musical guest. Seriously? DISNEY owned ABC has invited a young man who physically abused his girlfriend to perform on their wildly popular show to promote his music? Surely I have entered some parallel universe--Disney, the embodiment of family and values, would never feature a young woman-beater on one of their most popular shows! 

I hear what you're saying: maybe he's changed.  Everyone deserves a second chance.  I completely agree with you, but in order to get that second chance, they have to spend significant time EARNING it. 

I'll let you be the judge: Today, in an interview with Good Morning America, Chris Brown was asked about the Rihanna incident.  He responded with the following:  "It's not really a big deal to me now, as far as that situation. I think I'm past that in my life."

Shortly thereafter, he stormed to his dressing room and went on a rampage, screaming and breaking a window, allegedly sending glass onto the street below (which, by the way, could render him liable if anyone on the street had been injured).  Here's the article, if you'd like to read more: Chris Brown Rampage.

I can only hope Disney will do what is right and remove Brown from their scheduled performers.

I suppose it's all about money and entertainment.  If the money is there, the powers that be seem to overlook appalling behavior.  Likewise, bad behavior sells...people like to watch others make fools out of themselves.  How sad is that, really?  Guess what? You don't have to do all the wrong things, make all the wrong choices, to attract an audience.  If given the chance, even the good folk can be amazingly entertaining...in a clean, enjoyable, funny kind-of-way.  Its happened before, and we need it again because even if people can separate what is right from what is wrong, there is still that lingering notion of certain behavior garnering "awesome" rewards. 

Let's STOP rewarding bad behavior. Let's STOP setting bad examples for future generations.  Let's START giving this world what it needs--a shot in the arm of GOOD, solid, moral behavior.

It's not that complicated.