Why do athletes and actors make more money than people who really make a difference, like doctors and teachers

Question

This always made no sense to me. This is why the world has so many kids that want to grow up to be pro-football players or professional dancers. Not everyone can be those things, and kids have to realize that and use their other talents, otherwise they are wasting their time and their skills that could have been used for better things. What are your opinions on this? I'd like to hear people who don't agree with me.

Answer 1

For every successful actor and athlete making the big money there are scores of ones who are way poor.

Not so with teachers and doctors. Even the poorest of them make a good living.

Answer 2

this is an issue I've always questioned myself. There are so many people in the world for whom each day is a struggle in a wide range of levels from bare bone poverty to simply trying to make ends meet at a 9 to 5 job that they probably hate (that's me) and then there are athletes, actors and musicians who make millions getting to do something that actually makes them happy or models just because they were born good looking. The only answer or reasoning I have is how tainted (I feel) the way of thinking is in the Western world (and now world-wide as capitalism and commerce spread) and where we place our values-the problem exists because the average person continues to idolize the wrong people (as you mentioned) and pays ridiculous amounts of money for tickets to games, movies, concerts, merchandise etc. Sure there is a need for entertainment but there must be a balance ensuring that rich don't just continue to get richer especially at the expense of the poor and needy and for reasons which aren't truly deserving. I know that I would much rather give my hard earned money to a doctor that could save my life than someone who can slam dunk a basketball because they're 6 feet tall. And yes, that's why you see today's young generations of kids aspiring to become nothing more than rich and famous and who knows how many great minds and discoveries are passing the world by. Just look at the cost of getting a post-secondary education today...it's financially out of the question for too many people (who actually want it) but if you can throw a football it's a free ride. I know I'd be shot for saying this in most circles but I don't think Communism in theory was such a bad idea.

Answer 3

Lifes not fair. However, these people provide us a diversion from the real world, if only for a few hours. They get paid what the market will bear. When people are no longer willing to spend the money to go see these movies / games, then the prices will drop as will the salaries. Look at the NHL, they actually cancelled a season so that they could get the $$ under control.

Answer 4

The average doctor and probably teacher also, earns much more than the average athlete or actor. It is only the really outstanding athletes and actors who earn the huge sums you hear about. Top plastic surgeons' earnings are up there with the film stars.

You must also remember that in the free enterprise, capitalist system we have, people are paid what the customer is prepared to pay and not what they are worth. That would be socialism.

Answer 5

The entertainment market sets their salaries. I f there was not a very high demand to see their sport their salaries wood go down immediately. I think it is sick that the same people who were nothin more than jugglers, gladiators, and comics to the kings of old --and if they did not do well it often cost them their lives--now they r idolized and paid millions--my god all they do is entertain us--but we r willing to buy that expensive ticket so that determines their wages.

Answer 6

I've always wondered the same thing. I guess it's because we watch the movies, listen to the cd and root for our teams.

I chalk it up to just another way this world is totally screwed up!

Answer 7

Supply and Demand

Answer 8

Because those things make money. If you make money, you can demand a high salary. Its all about the bottom line.