Fans Should Empathize with Teen Actor, Not Persecute Him

To previous generations, when you mention the term “child star,” names like Michael Jackson, Keisha Knight-Pulliam and Raven-Symone come to mind.

Fans watched them grow up before their eyes and transition from a child star to an adult star. The road to adulthood was not always smooth, but their fans stayed patient and positive, and powerful role models emerged from that process.

For the current generation, names like Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and Angus T. Jones have replaced the stars of yesteryear and all three are in the process of transitioning to an adult star.
Jones recently made controversy by calling his sitcom “Two and a Half Men” filth and encouraging fans to not watch the show. Jones came to this conclusion as a result of his recent conversion to Christianity.

Almost immediately, commentators debated whether or not he would be fired from the popular sitcom and people like Howard Stern went so far as to call Jones a “moron” for his comments.
While his comments were definitely ill-advised, despite his religious growth, people should keep in mind that he is a 19-year-old “child” still trying to find his way in life. Just imagine if we were judged based on the things we said or did at the age of 19.

Furthermore, the fact that he could denounce drugs, alcohol and other vices that are prevalent in Hollywood should be commended. Adults often complain about the lack of role models in Hollywood, but when one like Jones steps up, we ridicule him if his morals are based on religious doctrine.

Fans of Jones and his sitcom should rally behind the teen actor and help cultivate him into the role model that Hollywood desperately needs.

In addition, since we have watched so many child stars like River Phoenix, Todd Bridges and Dana Plato fall by the wayside, we should be doing everything in our power to help Jones not fall in his new walk with Christ because God knows our children need a true role model to emulate.