Does Hollywood have a negative impact on society?

Hollywood and celebrities not only have a negative impact on the world, they also add to the breakdown of society. In recent months, celebrities made headlines for various reasons, including attempted murder, adultery, and for having sex with employees.

Everyone, including those who do not normally follow the game of golf, was talking about Tiger Woods. People clamored to hear the latest news about Tiger's extracurricular activities with women other than his wife. Fans of the golf superstar were shocked and disappointed, and his sponsors started dropping him quicker than you can say, "damaged goods".

David Letterman announced having sex with numerous staff members, and people speculated about his motives. Many wondered if Letterman forced subordinates to 'perform' in order to keep their jobs.

David Letterman's ratings skyrocketed, and Tiger Woods checked himself into a rehabilitation center for his problems with sex addiction. Just as the actor from Grey's Anatomy escaped his troubles for his 'gay' slur against a fellow actor, the public will forgive Woods because he has problems, because if he seeks rehabilitation, he has problems he cannot help. Tiger Woods will reign once again as the genius of golf. Letterman's career remained intact.

The latest celebrity in the news is no stranger to publicity for stunts he has pulled in his personal life. Charlie Sheen's wife recently accused her husband of threatening to kill her by placing a knife against her throat. Previously Charlie got himself into trouble for drug abuse, domestic violence, among other things.

I am not one to worry about celebrities' personal lives. If I am a fan, I care what they do on the big screen, in my favorite television programs, or on the radio. Usually I try not to involve myself with the stupid things they do at home.

However, the recent news of Charlie and Brook Sheen's reconciliation left me no choice but to respond. Apparently, Charlie Sheen's sitcom is a big hit, and his fans admire him. They enjoy what he does, and perhaps even look up to him, as many fans that view their favorite stars as role models do.

Charlie's wife Brook originally filed a complaint against her husband, fearing for her life. Sources reported that even though her husband held a knife to her throat, she still wanted to work things out with him and save their marriage. Will the marriage last? I do not really care one way or the other about the marriage. What I do care about is the message this story sends to society, particularly to Sheen's fans.

Domestic abuse cases are taken more seriously now than in the past, but there are still stories in the news about women who die at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, husband, or ex-husband even when the woman filed a restraining order against them.

Brook Sheen does a disservice to battered and abused women everywhere. She sends the message, "Well, he threatened to kill me but he did not mean it, so I everything is okay now." No, Brook, it is not okay.

Charlie Sheen is a celebrity and people look up to celebrities. I cannot begin to imagine how many women thought the same thing about their domestic problems. How many women, who forgave their husband or boyfriend for his abuse towards her, are now permanently injured or dead?

Not long ago, women called the police to their home to repeat abuse inflicted on them by their husbands. Many times the police regarded these calls as 'personal problems', and advised women to try to work it out.

After several 911 calls, some of these women wound up dead. Nicole Simpson phoned police many times, telling them that her husband, O.J. beat her. She also forgave him.

Slowly, things have changed and police haul men off to jail now for beating or abusing their wives. However, the incident that occurred between Charlie Sheen and his wife could be a setback for abused women.

Though not on the same level, the same thing happened when Michael Vick became a Philadelphia Eagles football player, after telling how he abused and killed dogs. He spent a little time in jail, and then the NFL rewards with a huge paycheck and with revered sports status. Our kids watch football. This message gets through to them as well.

The paparazzi and the entertainment media in general, need to stop and think about how much information is too much to reveal, when it comes to celebrities. Many celebrities cannot distinguish right from wrong because they think their 'status' gives them free reign to break any rule they want.

If the media will not do it, society, parents, and those who guide and teach our children, need to do it instead. Children need boundaries. If they look up to and emulate stars, then adults need to take on the responsibility of teaching children the morals and values that are so obviously absent in the land of Hollywood. We have to do it before society breaks down completely.