Role Models in Today's Society

A role model is a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially younger people. Professional athletes

A child is a good role model of innocence and purity. A dog is a good role model of loyalty. A role model can be just about anyone that influences how another person behaves, reacts, or thinks, in a positive way. A courteous man, a complete stranger to another, holds open a door for a frail old woman. One may consider said man to be a good role model, simply due to his chivalrous deed. This proves that a person does not need much more than good intentions and some initiative in order to be a good role model. Therefore, being a good role model does not require as much of the skill as required to be a good leader.

True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would want to have in the near future and those who interest us in a way that make us want to be a better person. They teach us more about ourselves and encourage us to make better choices. A role model is not just someone who is successful, but someone who has had similar experiences that we have had. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates that Atticus Finch is a true role model. Over the course of the novel, Atticus stands up for his beliefs, respects everyone despite who they are and behaves as a true father. Atticus is truly the ideal role model.

Another area many people tend to aim to be successful in is the concept of the American Dream. It is thought that if you live in America you need to fulfill the goal of achieving the American Dream and if it is not achieved or not meant to be achieved then the life lived has been a failure. Older generations and even present generations want the younger generations to get good grades, have a ‘successful’ college life, get a professional job, get married, have kids, and buy a big, just because that is normal to everyone but some may choose to live their life not as vanilla. William Zinsser talks about how everyone just follows the social norm in order to be seen as successful, “Our advertisements and TV commercials are a hymn to material success, our magazines articles a toast to people who made it to the top... He is our national idol, and everybody else is our national fink” (Zinsser 601). Becoming a specific type of successful is being pushed onto teenagers who are still struggling to find out who they are and what they want to do. They may want to figure out a different way to become successful in their own independent way.

The term "role model" may evoke images of superheroes, celebrities, or famous athletes. Positive role models are needed to give humans some type of direction in life, but what about a negative role model? A negative role model can be just as helpful as a so-called “positive” role model. It can be useful to look at an unpropitious person and use him or her as an example of what you do not want to become. The House on Mango Street, written by Sandra Cisneros, allows the reader to realize what a negative role model can teach. The main character Esperanza has a variety of role models in her life, some favorable and some unfavorable. Many are trapped in abusive relationships, waiting

For example, King Charlemagne. Pippin has a hard time looking to him as a role model considering he never listens to Pippin, in Pippin’s eyes he is a tyrannical ruler and Pippin doesn’t agree with most of the things the he is doing as King, like slaying the people for protesting. This is an extremely prevalent problem in America today. Many young people feel they don’t have a voice in any problems that are going on in the country and they feel that can’t look up to anybody to help and guide them. There is also Fastrada, Pippin’s step-mother, who is also a horrible role model. She lies and steals from the King and is completely full of herself. And then there is Berthe, Pippin’s grandmother, who some may argue is a good role model. However, she tells Pippin, “…don’t do too much planning, and don’t do too much thinking.” Which is not great advice, especially the way Pippin takes it, which is to just enjoy the “simple things” without thinking about the

holds good as well as bad things. If your role model is a good role model then you would try to be a

In today’s society role models represent a significant problem. Role models are a very important part of society since they are the people to leave impressions on the younger generation on how to act. The problem today is that many children, young teens, and young adults are choosing the wrong role models, which makes them grow up with bad habits, or just live their lives that in general affect them negatively. This is shown perfectly when examining the novel The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, from a reader response perspective, roles models play a big part, with all of the role models that Duddy has ultimately failing him. This is shown through his role models being selfish instead of generous,

A role model is somebody who people look up to due to their extraordinary work, experiences or personality. Every individual have at least one person they look up to and have the motivation to follow on their footsteps. Andrew Carnegie, a classic individual who can define the phrase “Rags to Riches”. In some perspective, he can be seen as heroic and kind, however, there are those who see him as a selfish individual. Andrew Carnegie was both a hero and a villain, considering he was a philanthropist, he knows what it was like to be poor and the way he treats his employees.

A role model is an irreplaceable person who often has a following of people who attempt to emulate their actions and reactions. They often are in places of authority or, rather, noble in the eyes of their attendants. Role models yield a lot of value in many societies proven through literature in “The Color of Water” by James McBride, observations of mentors both in history and the present, and my personal experience with leaders who I appreciate.

RE: Martin Luther King Jr According to the Oxford Dictionary a role model is A person looked to by others as an example to be imitated. People can be role models for many different reasons. Reasons for being a role model can range from someone giving money to charity or someone saving a cat from a building on fire. You can also be a role model for being courageous, compassionate and caring.

Ralph Oelrichs, or my grandfather is someone that not only is successful but also is someone that can be used as a role model. He owned his own contracting business for 37 years. That alone can be considered successful but he also built his own house that 2 children were raised and was married to one woman for 58 years. Of course there are things that need to be focused on or improved on when in the building industry. However with Oelrichs there was not anything material that the he really focused on. When he first started his own company he admitted “I’m not a talkative person or conversational person. I needed to work on talking to people”. Clearly Oelrichs didn’t seem to be confident or powerful when he first entered business. According

. Even in today’s world social media plays a large part in pushing what success is when speaking about role models. The proper role models for youth are not deemed as successful and are not shown on social media or television. This makes it hard from day one for those who see something such as a positive example because it does not seem to be the most poplar way in school. Students in the earlier years are easier

The role model I am writing about is my grandma Sue. Growing up she was one of six children. Being raised with five other siblings have made her caring, able to see the good in everything, and faithful. Her childhood has caused her to be an incredible women. Because if her being so wonderful she has effected my life in many positive ways.

Role models have an astounding effect on the lives of young people in our society. A role model has the ability to shape the views, ideals, and actions of a young person. Role models help youth to discover how they wish to become in the future. The influence that role models have over young people is tremendous. It is important for role models to be positive and responsible in instilling good morals and values because future generations are directly dependent on the role models of today. By examining the influence of role models, role models in the community, and role models in the media, we will be able to determine the true effect that role models have on the lives of youth.