importance of role models
Many adults know the importance and responsibility of raising a child in a correct and positive way. Having role models is a great way for children to learn how to do the right thing and know what the right thing is. This is why I believe role models and mentoring programs or role models are important for preparing children to succeed.Whether it’s a child raised in a well-off family with many resources at their disposal or if it’s a child growing up in the projects with limited resources, all children deserve to be given a chance to be taught how to succeed in life. In society, children need to have positive adult figures to look up to so they have the courage to make it in life when obstacles head their way.
One reason why I believe in role models is because I was raised by a single mother that worked two jobs to support us, which led me to grow up very independently. Growing up, I found role models in celebrities or athletes and it gave me the confidence to work towards my dreams. As I got older and life became more difficult, I had to find role models that were closer and more personal. Among them were my wrestling coaches and I would not be the person I am today without them teaching me the value of hard work and perseverance. As an adolescent growing up, I encountered many issues in my life that needed experienced guidance and it was my coaches who provided the proper counseling.One quote by Dan Gable that is constantly repeated in my head is, “Once you’ve wrestled, everything in life is easy.” Dan Gable is a role model to many growing wrestlers because he’s very accomplished, but the reason why the quote strikes a nerve in me is because I believe that in order to achieve something great you have to experience something challenging. Once you have overcome that, you can do anything.
The proper definition of role model found on dictionary.com is: “a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people.”(dictionary.com)The definition itself should explain the significance and importance of role models because society would not be able to operate without them. For example, children might not be able to dream or try to succeed and do great things in life. Yet, some might argue there is also a darker side to role models. If a child is angry and wants to do something evil, they might look up to other negative role models which have caused others great pain as inspiration. Though the main purpose of a role model is to inspire to do great and positive things, we cannot overlook the spectrum and ignore that there are bad role models. This is one reason why positive role models are so important for our children.
According to a fact sheet from the Education Foundation of Australia, a psychologist named Michael Carr-Greg said, “Two of the most important factors in building young people’s resilience to life’s challenges are access to a charismatic adult and the chance to be around people who are socially capable.” (Mentors) The children which have access to these types of role models have a higher chance of succeeding in life because they have the proper examples to look up to and learn from. As stated from motivational speaker Mark Thomas, “At the same time though, it’s important not to put role models on a pedestal. If they’re human and real then they need to be recognized as such. Everyone makes mistakes and so to follow anyone blindly is a mistake.” (Health Guidance) Mark Thomas makes a great point because if role models give the perception of perfection to strive for that can be unrealistic and it can cause the student or child to go into a depressive state of mind, believing they may never reach the level of perfection they are trying to achieve. Another point Mark Thomas shares is the distinction of finding the right role model for each individual youth. Because not everyone is the same we have to find a role model that is similar to the youth. For example, if you are the physically disabled but incredibly intelligent, Stephen Hawking might be a great influence. For a role model to be effective, there has to be some relevance to the individual.
Living in a world today where social media influences the minds of our youth and bad news constantly swarms around, infecting and clouding our thoughts, this is when role models are most important.It hurts me deeply when I see a teen on the news (or in some cases adults) inflict so much pain to so many when they decide to shoot and murder innocent bystanders for their own vendetta. It makes me wonder what could have been done to prevent something so horrible, and my thoughts tend to how that person may have been raised or what interaction with positive people the individual may have had.According to a study from the University of Michigan, a child without a father figure is 69 percent more likely to create acts of violence.(Deseret News)It might be that all these kids need is a proper role model to help them through those hard times, to let them know that killing or hurting innocent people isn’t the way to succeed in life. I truly believe all they needed was someone they can confide in. Not someone who is paid, like a psychiatrist, but someone the youth can really connect with.
Lastly, role models are important for low income families who may live in an area where poverty encourages children to grow up in a gang or to sell drugs. This is one of the biggest difficulties we may face in finding the right role models. For children who grow up in those areas and are introduced to those harsh lifestyles, it is highly important to find a positive role modelwho will inspire them to improve their lifestyle.Often these children grow up without a father in the household and they lack the proper male attention a child needs to properly develop. Data suggests boys are mainly the ones needing this extra attention, possibly due to the fact that women or mothers cannot supply the proper attention needed for the child. A survey done in the United Kingdom discovered that boys without a male figure were 50 percent more likely to abuse drugs and not find jobs. (Mail Online) This also means boys are more likely to be involved in criminal activity, join gangs, be less successful in school and participate in unhealthy activities.(Health Guidance) While it makes it more difficult to find solutions for these young men, we adults have an obligation to try and help fix an ongoing problem, and positive role models area major key.
With all the challenges we face growing up, whether it’s making decisions on where to go to school or what to do with our life, the people around us are a huge influence on who we become when we get older. Not all of us complete the path we want, but what is important is that we have someone to guide us and help us along the way. In society, and for the improvement in everyday life, role models are an essential piecewhichshould never be taken.
One reason why I believe in role models is because I was raised by a single mother that worked two jobs to support us, which led me to grow up very independently. Growing up, I found role models in celebrities or athletes and it gave me the confidence to work towards my dreams. As I got older and life became more difficult, I had to find role models that were closer and more personal. Among them were my wrestling coaches and I would not be the person I am today without them teaching me the value of hard work and perseverance. As an adolescent growing up, I encountered many issues in my life that needed experienced guidance and it was my coaches who provided the proper counseling.One quote by Dan Gable that is constantly repeated in my head is, “Once you’ve wrestled, everything in life is easy.” Dan Gable is a role model to many growing wrestlers because he’s very accomplished, but the reason why the quote strikes a nerve in me is because I believe that in order to achieve something great you have to experience something challenging. Once you have overcome that, you can do anything.
The proper definition of role model found on dictionary.com is: “a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people.”(dictionary.com)The definition itself should explain the significance and importance of role models because society would not be able to operate without them. For example, children might not be able to dream or try to succeed and do great things in life. Yet, some might argue there is also a darker side to role models. If a child is angry and wants to do something evil, they might look up to other negative role models which have caused others great pain as inspiration. Though the main purpose of a role model is to inspire to do great and positive things, we cannot overlook the spectrum and ignore that there are bad role models. This is one reason why positive role models are so important for our children.
According to a fact sheet from the Education Foundation of Australia, a psychologist named Michael Carr-Greg said, “Two of the most important factors in building young people’s resilience to life’s challenges are access to a charismatic adult and the chance to be around people who are socially capable.” (Mentors) The children which have access to these types of role models have a higher chance of succeeding in life because they have the proper examples to look up to and learn from. As stated from motivational speaker Mark Thomas, “At the same time though, it’s important not to put role models on a pedestal. If they’re human and real then they need to be recognized as such. Everyone makes mistakes and so to follow anyone blindly is a mistake.” (Health Guidance) Mark Thomas makes a great point because if role models give the perception of perfection to strive for that can be unrealistic and it can cause the student or child to go into a depressive state of mind, believing they may never reach the level of perfection they are trying to achieve. Another point Mark Thomas shares is the distinction of finding the right role model for each individual youth. Because not everyone is the same we have to find a role model that is similar to the youth. For example, if you are the physically disabled but incredibly intelligent, Stephen Hawking might be a great influence. For a role model to be effective, there has to be some relevance to the individual.
Living in a world today where social media influences the minds of our youth and bad news constantly swarms around, infecting and clouding our thoughts, this is when role models are most important.It hurts me deeply when I see a teen on the news (or in some cases adults) inflict so much pain to so many when they decide to shoot and murder innocent bystanders for their own vendetta. It makes me wonder what could have been done to prevent something so horrible, and my thoughts tend to how that person may have been raised or what interaction with positive people the individual may have had.According to a study from the University of Michigan, a child without a father figure is 69 percent more likely to create acts of violence.(Deseret News)It might be that all these kids need is a proper role model to help them through those hard times, to let them know that killing or hurting innocent people isn’t the way to succeed in life. I truly believe all they needed was someone they can confide in. Not someone who is paid, like a psychiatrist, but someone the youth can really connect with.
Lastly, role models are important for low income families who may live in an area where poverty encourages children to grow up in a gang or to sell drugs. This is one of the biggest difficulties we may face in finding the right role models. For children who grow up in those areas and are introduced to those harsh lifestyles, it is highly important to find a positive role modelwho will inspire them to improve their lifestyle.Often these children grow up without a father in the household and they lack the proper male attention a child needs to properly develop. Data suggests boys are mainly the ones needing this extra attention, possibly due to the fact that women or mothers cannot supply the proper attention needed for the child. A survey done in the United Kingdom discovered that boys without a male figure were 50 percent more likely to abuse drugs and not find jobs. (Mail Online) This also means boys are more likely to be involved in criminal activity, join gangs, be less successful in school and participate in unhealthy activities.(Health Guidance) While it makes it more difficult to find solutions for these young men, we adults have an obligation to try and help fix an ongoing problem, and positive role models area major key.
With all the challenges we face growing up, whether it’s making decisions on where to go to school or what to do with our life, the people around us are a huge influence on who we become when we get older. Not all of us complete the path we want, but what is important is that we have someone to guide us and help us along the way. In society, and for the improvement in everyday life, role models are an essential piecewhichshould never be taken.
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