Popular is the choice of becoming pseudo-models among young girls. The reason is clear – it is a convenient way to make easy money. Regardless of their academic results, they can effortlessly enter the industry, as long as they look pretty. Yet the trend is not trouble-free. Critics say pseudo-models have set bad examples to children, instilling into them the mistaken notion that transforming into pseudo-models does them good. Indeed, I am in favour of this saying and deem that becoming ‘liang-mo’ is detrimental to teenagers.
The fact that young teens will be driven to a wrong attitude towards modern life by the pseudo-model phenomenon tops the list of negative impact of ‘liang-mo’. First and foremost, these premature teens are likely to believe that they can gain without paying much, as told by some pseudo-models in interviews. Meanwhile, they may become very money-oriented since many pseudo-models aim to earn a lot of money in the industry. But these are naïve thoughts as many know. Living in such a competitive era, no one can survive without endeavours. Otherwise, we would not need to worry about the poor living in the city whom we are currently expressing concern over. In fact, the truth is that one gains what he pays and life is simply more than money. Unfortunately, successful pseudo-models promoted through the mass media have made many mouth-water. Billborads, TV programmes, online advertisements and exhibitions showing ‘liang-mo’ have spread the wrong ideas widely. This way, the pseudo-model phenomenon is really detrimental to teenage girls.
Besides, pseudo-models can be a risky career. As more and more young girls gain entry to the industry, the market of pseudo-models will finally be saturated. By that time, being ‘liang-mo’ will no more be a prestige but a common job. Eventually, pseudo-models will start to lose their jobs. Even if not, at least, their pays will plunge. Worse still, a subsequent disadvantage will surface – not having been well-educated, the affected models cannot find other jobs and, at last, end up unemployed. In this sense, a pseudo-model is nothing better than a low-skilled worker, who will be eliminated when his industry no more needs him.
While young people themselves are affected by the emergence of ‘liang-mo’, society as a whole is at the same time under fire. The vicious circle to be described really hits society hard. To begin with, pseudo-models are promoted through the media, as mentioned before. Then, young girls looking for extravagant lifestyles join the industry so as to lead luxurious lives. Consequently, the number of pseudo-models surges, which will enhance the promotion of these models. Then, the circle repeats, with the situation worsened over time. This ripple effect can be observed by statistics. Indeed, continuous surveys disclose that the number of pseudo-models is increasing over time. What follows is that a large group of low-skilled young girls, who devote themselves into the career, become a burden of society, because teens’ attitudes will be further affected. A problem is also generated in the pseudo-model industry.
Chrissie Chau, a pseudo-model, who once sold one of her products – a cushion in the shape of her body, which appeared to be nearly-naked – alerted people to the repercussions of pseudo-models. Many condemned her product for being too sexually appealing. But it is obviously a tactic deployed by pseudo-models’ managers. It reveals that pseudo-models are encouraging unscrupulous selling strategies. Actually, the expansion of the industry is bound to arouse fiercer and crueler competitions among companies because all of them want to earn more making use of ‘liang-mo’.
Pseudo-models as a trend are disadvantageous. Not only do they affect the models themselves and the teens, society is also one of the victims. I hope that people will one day understand its destructive power and abandon it.