Editor's note: Sara Denton is a sophomore at Marshfield High School.

In this day and age, a well-suited, respectable role model is not easy to find. It seems as though every public role model that girls look up to has become unworthy. The once beautiful and talented Britney Spears is now in trouble with the law and fighting to keep her children. Lindsay Lohan has been in and out of rehabilitation centers, and Jamie Lynn Spears is expecting a baby at the age of 16.

At one point in time, these young celebrities were famous for their acting abilities or singing voices. They were not respected for anything else except their talents and good-natured personalities. Unfortunately, these girls have abused their fame, and are now famous for their misbehavior.

It is disappointing to see photographs of the former "it girl" Lindsay Lohan drinking under age, or in the backseat of a police car. With the constant gossip and media attention, girls believe that troubled celebrities demonstrate the proper way to act. When girls see pictures of underage celebrities drinking and partying, they are sent the wrong message of how to behave. They are left with an understanding that having the latest fashion items is more important than having morals or a strong work ethic.

When girls hear about their favorite singer drinking or using drugs, they begin to think, "Oh, it must be OK to do those things because she does it." When girls respect unfit role models, they consequently believe that all of their actions are typical, or just.

Girls are not being taught that the behavior of these celebrities is distasteful and unattractive. I think it is important to install a stable, creditable and respected person in a child's life so he or she will be informed of the important qualities that a true role model possesses.

Every day the nation witnesses how easily a person's credibility for role model potential can be destroyed. Although it is sad to see our former role model celebrities so troubled, it is consoling to know that there is a lesson girls can take from these girls' experiences. Most girls would never want to be known for receiving DUI charges, or ending up in jail or rehab. Instead of being a role model for what girls are expected to do, Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan and others demonstrate to young girls exactly how not to act. It is frightening to see their photographs taken in jail, and hopefully girls would never want that to happen to them.