FREE ESSAY ON WHO TO FOLLOW

WHO TO FOLLOW

By Andrea
The Need For A Role Model
In today's world society is filled with more violence, hate and crime. 
The confusion of what is right and wrong can be inflicted onto a child's set 
of morals. When a child has someone older to look up to he/she is able to 
take in and learn positive values from a responsible role model. The child can 
be properly informed on decisions they should make in there life. A good 
role model holds a high importance in a child's growing times so that they 
can learn the difference between good and bad and begin to practice a 
positive and healthy life style.
While growing up, a child may be around good people, but that do 
things that they shouldn't do. A child who has been raised by smokers may 
have a better chance of starting to smoke then one that has been always 
taught the harm of it. But with the exposure of a positive influence, there 
is still hope that the child can learn better, such that smoking is bad and 
that they won't start. He/she can learn through their mentor postive ideas 
giving them a higher self-esteem, confidence, and goals to work for when 
they are older. Also by beginning to lead a healthy lifestyle, they are more 
likely to set a good example for children later on in their life. Surviving in 
the home and learning a healthy family life style is more difficult now then 
before. In many homes both parents work and the time they have now to 
spend with their children is limited. Before when women used to stay at 
home, they were able to teach their children the cultural view's and religon 
that particular family followed. Children now don't learn manners that their 
grandparents may have learned and Ms. Manner, an author of an article in 
the paper, would be dissapointed in today's kids manners.
If the role model happens to be a celebrity often the child wishes to 
be just like them. If the 'star' advertises alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, etc..., 
then the child will believe that those things are not as bad as some others 
think they are. They may get on the wrong track that it is okay to steal and 
do things for pleasure when in reality it is only hurting themselves pyshically 
and mentally. Its important for celebrities to stay on the correct path and 
set examples for young fans. If one admires a particular basketball player 
they are likely to go out and shoot hoops rather than going out and causing 
trouble. Today, children do not need a Dennis Rodman figure as an exotic 
character with a criminal record, but more of a Tiger Woods because he 
challenged himself in pursuing a career in a sport that was usually considered 
a white sport. He shows pride and prestige in his accomplishments. It 
shows them leadership and to set out to acheive positive goals. A Dennis 
Rodman figure is not needed because children are not as well behaved as 
they used to be and need to be shown a more moral tradition. In the past 
children had a more strict enviroment and disciplinary code.
Its amazing how children pick a person to look up to, and at times the 
'role model' does not even know they are being looked upon and imitated. So 
when they are not doing the right things, they are sending a negative 
message without even knowing they are hurting the child's morals. It is very 
important that role models portray htemselves to children as good people 
who go far in life without doing the wrong things. Through the correct role 
model, the child hopefully will have the chance to develop responsibility and 
morals that will last them a life time, despite the corruption existing in 
today's society.