Craig Scott

Craig Scott
Mike Vitelli and Craig Scott

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Role Models

We often use the term "role model" too loosely in our society. I've seen blog posts, tweets, articles, etc from people who are disappointed in someone like Tiger Woods because he was such a "role model". Do we place too much emphasis on what the person is athletically able to do and less about who they are? Who are your role models and why? What SHOULD a good role model say or do? What type of character should they have? Is it fair to celebrities for us to just assume they live the perfect lives so we can look up to them??

34 comments:

Aaron said...

A role model for me is not someone who I see as perfect in everyway. For me it is my father. He, like the rest of us, has his flaws but it is the way he deals with adversities that inspires me the most.

Anonymous said...

I think that professional athletes are judged by their level of play and those who perform the best are automatically place in the role of "role model." This is the way the world is and it's a very hard face to change. I do not pick role models because of what they do but how they do it. Someone can become famous by using people and cheating their way to the top. That kind of behavior is not role model material. Those who work hard to get their success and don't let the fame go to their head and keep their morals. The athletes and celebrities who handle their fame with a level head are the ones worth looking up to.
Conor Regan

Kara said...

I think we do base too much of our admiration on the person's athletic or singing or acting ability... whatever they're famous for... instead of their ideals and character.
I don't really have any specific role models, but I think anyone who promotes kindness is someone to look up to.
A good role model doesn't have to say the perfect thing all the time. No one can. They just have to do the best they can to be a good person in this society. I think as long as they generally promote good things, they can be looked up to.
I certainly think some celebrities can be looked up to, but definitely not all or even most. We should know more about someone before we declare them a role model, not just judge them on looks or a talent they have that is not character-related.

Anonymous said...

i think just because someone is a famous athlete or celebrity doesnt mean they have to be a perfect role model. No where in their job description does it say you have to be a model citizen. They have the right to lead the life they want and do and say whatever they want. If it isnt appropiate for little kids or people who look up to them as role models then those people should find a new role model. Someones role model should be a person who has morals and beliefs that you would agree with and try to mimic or follow.

- c.ruta

Anonymous said...

Who is a role model? A role model is someone you can look up to, who makes good decisions in life, and who puts others before themselves. I look at my brothers and I consider them to be role models in my life, they both completed high school, and made all the right choices. Though they have different ideas, and different views on how to do things I feel comfortable talking with them about anything. They're the kind of people who don't judge, and even if you say something the bad they'll try to help. A role model is soomeone who impacts your life in a certain, positive way.

-colleen mcd (coco) haha.

Anonymous said...

I think role models should be someone who inspires you not athletically or even academically, a role model should be someone who inspires you by their personality or their philanthropic ideas. This may seem cliche, but my role model is Rachel Scott. Ever since seeing the presentation in September, she has inspired me. She acted in the most sincere and kind manner. Although she may not be living, her life, story, and actions have inspired me. A role model should be someone who helps people, is kind to people, and cares about everyone. They need to have positive characteristics. No, I do not think celebrities are good role models. A role model should not be someone who is rich and famous, or seems to be living an easy life. It should be someone who is hard working or someone who inspires you because of their well-being. Many teens are inspired by celebrities because of the way they live, that is not a role model.
-Colin

Anonymous said...

First of, all i dont think that a role model has to appear perfect. For me, in order for someone to be a role model i simply need to look up to them in a certain aspect of their life such as atheletecs or character.

Anonymous said...

scott coleman ^

Keegan C said...

A great role model shouldn't be based on how athletic someone is but how much they do for our country or the community.

Samantha Walsh said...

I agree with this post. I think that celebrities are too often seen as "role models" just becuase they got the winning point or because they were in a good movie. People often do not look into who that person actually is. Yes, they are a good athlete, but what are they doing once the game is over,or the movie is done?

I see a role model as someone who you can look up to and someone that you want to grow to resemble. They are not necessarily the best at anything, but they are special to you. A role model is someone who you can really be inspired by, not only becuase they can shoot a basketball.

Someone I see as a role model is and has always been my mom. She is not only a very successful business woman, but also a fantastic mother. She puts others before herself more often than none. She works full time and still gets other things done to make sure that she lives a fulfilling life. I fully appreciate her for everything that she has done, and I hope someday I will grow to be just like her.

Shannon Cap said...

I personally think that people should leave Tiger Woods alone. Im not saying that i agree with cheating because i dont. But let him deal with his own problems rather than letting the media deal with them for him. I do not think that he is a role model just because he is amazing at golf. He may be a role model athletically but i dont think he should be a role model that people follow on a day to day basis. People are putting too much emphasis on what Tiger Woods it doing, rather than dealing with the millions of problems going on around the world. Just because Tiger Woods is famous does not mean he should be in the news 24/7, we should just leave him alone its not our business what he does with his love life. Role models should not be named just because they make millions playing a sport. Role models should be chosen by how they live their lives, the kind of choices they make during their lives, and how they help others. Just because celebrities have money does not mean we should assume that their lives are perfect, making them perfect. Role models shouldnt be chosen on how much money or how famous they are. I think celebrities are truely role models if they use their millions to benefit others rather than just themselves. I think it is more benefical to look up to people we know on a personal level, rather than look up to someone because everyone knows who they are.

Anonymous said...

Role models are people that should be looked up to not only because of their athletic skills, singing ability, etc, but also because of who they are as a person. It's important to have role models who make a difference and do great things in their life. They are also people that just show that even through hard times, you can be strong and someone you can look up to no matter what. One of my role models is my dad because no matter what he stays positive, which is important to me.

-Kelsey

Anonymous said...

I think that instead of focusing on role models' athletic ability, we should be more concerned with their character. I would much rather look up to someone for the person that they are, and not for whata they can do on the court or in the field. I think that a good model should focus on making good decisions and setting good examples. I think that celebrities should not be forced to live perfect lives, but if they make bad choices then they should not be viewed as role models.

-Tim J

Anonymous said...

I think that the characteristics of a role model are pretty varried and depend on the individual. Some role models inspire you to be athletic, get good grades, or show kindness to others. One role model of mine is my eighth grade englich teacher, Mrs. Crandall. I look up to and admire her for many reasons. One specific reason is her constant willingness to go out of her way to help others. I think that we could all take that lesson from her. She is the first to help someone when they need it, and she often just knows when people need help without them even needing to ask. I think that if we were all a bit more aware of when people needed help and offered help to those people then the whole world would be a bit better all around.
-Bry Dague

K. Birkett said...

I agree that we place to much emphasis on athlete's athletic abilities and not who they are as a person. Celebrities are instantly candidates for "role models", simply for their popularity. But if you look beyond what a celebrity is famous for, are they really a good role model? Many are not.

A good role model doesn't need popularity, or good looks, or any other superficial quality we, as humans, gravitate toward. A good role model does not care about what anyone thinks - an overused phrase, but who honestly doesn't care what others think? A select group of people - the true role models. They aren't afraid to do what they believe is right, they aren't afraid to lead, and they don't judge others.

Role models are people that behold a vibrant, likeable character, demonstrate leadership, and make good decisions. Looking up to people like these will be very beneifical.

Brianna Arcaro said...

A role model is someone who sets an example for other people whether its good or bad. If its good then they could be praised for it, and if its bad they are punished. They should set a good example for others and influence good things on other people. A role model in my life is my mother. She is the one who leads me down the right path in life. Yes, we fight all the time, but i know when i'm wrong and she knows when shes wrong. She sets good examples for me and cares alot about what I do and how I do it. We look at famous people and call them role models not for who they are but for what they do. Its wrong to just look at someone and say your a role model. Who a person is, is what you would look at to decide whether they are a good example or not.

Anonymous said...

I do believe that society puts more emphasis on people's athletic abilities as opposed to who they are as people. Good role models should strive to be the best that they can be at all times. They should be determined, compassionate, and ambitious. I don't think it's fair for society to assume that celebrities live perfect lives and should be role models for everyone. They're just regular people and society should view them as just that.

Kevin Fisher said...

One of the role models in my life is my grandma, Vera Vasialka. My grandma lived in France until she attended summer camp in Lithuania in 1941. She ended up being stuck in the country for 4 years while the Germans invaded Poland and Lithuania during World War II. At age 9, my grandma, along with her older sister Leoni, was stranded with other members of the summer camp at a Spanish Concentration Camp in France for another year. My grandma was mandated to do hours of manual labor on many farms in France at the camps. Meanwhile, my grandma's family was stranded at another concentration camp in France with no contact to my grandma or Leoni for a couple of years. Eventually, the Red Cross helped my grandma and the other kids from the camp get back to their families.

From there, my grandma came to the United States with her husband (Edvard Vasialka) with only a couple dollars in her pocket. The couple lived secretly in a basement for many years until they finally found jobs. My grandma and grandpa had 4 kids, one of which is my mother. She worked her butt off to make life better for her kids.


My grandma's stories have taught me to "never be too good to work to make life better". My grandma worked at gas stations and restaurants as dish washers. Now she reflects back on her life. We are all proud of her many achievements. If it wasn't for her determination and passion, I wouldn't be here today.

Anonymous said...

People cant blame their 'role model' after they have made a mistake because everyone isnt perfect. Instead a good rolemodel would learn from their mistakes and try to set good examples afterward.

-Paige S.

Audra said...

My role model is definitely my mom. Most kids say one of their parents is their role model, but my mom's not just that to me, she is my best friend. She listens, she sets a good example, she is strong, and gives the best advice. I tell her everything, and we trust each other. She is extremely hard working and is the most unselfish person I know. She always does what is right. I am so grateful to have her as a role model in my life.

Amanda Schleicher said...

Today, many people think of "role models" as people who are famous and successful. Yes, these people have very successful lives and that is what kids want and look up to. A true "role model" is someone who has great character and moral values. They are people you aspire to be like. I don't think all famous athletes and celebrities are role models, but some are. No one is perfect, but a lot of the famous people we call role models, such as Tiger Woods, are not role models at all. My role model is my Grammy. She is the nicest person that I know. She doesn't judge people and always gives everyone a chance. She is friends with everyone and loves everyone, even people she doesn't know. I don't know anyone who doesn't like my Grammy, or anyone who wouldn't like to be more like her. She is so kind to everyone and everything. She knows right from wrong, and always does the right thing. I love my Grammy and I hope some day i can be as caring and compassionate as she is. Good role models should always say and do things that people can look up to. They should never break the laws, or disrespect anyone no matter what the situation. They should have good character and always have integrity. It is not fair to the celebrities. We label them as their role models and then assume them to be perfect. They know they are not perfect, but because we call them role models they feel that they need to be perfect. We also do exaggerate it when celebrities make mistakes. Everyone make mistakes, we just think it is such a big deal when celebrities do it because we expect them not to make mistakes.

Anonymous said...

"Role model" is a much over-used word in our society today. A good role model should be someone who is encouraging and has a positive attitude. My role model in my life is my mom. She always finds the positive in even the worst situations. She has succeeded so much in her life that I only wish to be as supportive as her.

-bri valeri

Anonymous said...

I agree, we do use the word to loosely. These days people think role models are rich, famous, athletic people. People forget to think about what kind of people they are. This is why many people who arent famous are not role models. My role model is my sister. My sister is my only role model because she is someone who has traits that I want when i am older, she helps people when they need it, she is herself all the time, and is just in all a wonderful person. A good role model should be a good person, helpful and a leader amongst people. They should say things like good job, you can do it, dont give up. Their character should always be happy. They need to be in a good mood so other people in their lives can follow the happiness. It isnt fair to celebrities because all they do is a job they love, and gets them alot of attention in the world. Then when they mess up the whole world is upset with them. The celebs dont always have the easiest life.

Anonymous said...

In todays society I feel that every one thinks of most athletes are superstars because of their outstanding athletic capability, amount of money, or trophies. These people may be superstars but that doesn’t mean that they are good people. Under all the pads they can still be a bad person. For example, Chad Ochocinco is a great athlete but he isn’t necessarily the greatest person in the worl. My rolemodels are my dad, and my Uncle. The bothare great people but they didn’t come from a lot but managed to coe from it and live great lives doing the things they love.
-Tyler Durocher

Anonymous said...

With the Tiger Woods bussiness in the media lately, it has become apparent that we place too much importance on athletic ability without really knowing much background info on the person themselves. Before all of this stuff came out concerning the affairs, all I knew was that he learned to golf when he was little, and that he is really good at his sport. Now the first thing that people think about when they think of him is the car crash that pretty much ruined his career.

My role models are some of the teachers I have had over the course of my life. I believe that if you can take your time to help someone to understand it fully, you truly care about what it is you are doing. I want to be a teacher because of the teachers I have had. A good role model treats all fairly and listens to everyone's ideas. This description goes with leader as well. Isn't that what role models are?

Connor Grieve

Brendan C said...

A role model to me is someone I can look up to and have full faith and belief in them. Someone who will be there when I need them to be and do what they are capable of at every aspect of life. Athletes are often hard to be looked at as role models but often are. With the expectations on them and the way the society is, it is to hard to be "perfect" as we all view athletes. A role model is someone that makes a difference.

pete said...

A role model to me is someone who sets an example for those around them. Until now, Tiger Woods was my role model, but after the recent findings...I'm kind of disappointed in him. A role model is an important figure in society and the responsibility of being one should not be taken lightly.

R G Dewar said...

A role model is someone I would like to be like in a given situation. Some of my role models are students who routinely do the right thing. There aere many parents I see who I will emulate because of the relationships they have with their teenagers. I think we have to take what we need from many people while recognizing that everyone is imperfect and not to be copied blindly. I wish I had Tiger Woods' putting stroke, but he is obviously an idiot when it comes to his personal life. I would love to have my father's sense of fairness and compassion, but I also am careful to avoid some of his other errors.

Brian Acker said...

I think that people do focuss to much on a celebrity's skill in athletics, music, singing, etc. when they choose their role models. However, we all know that there are many very talented athletes and performers who don't have the greatest character. We hear about them getting into trouble with the law on the news all the time. So sometimes the best athletes aren't the best role models. I do not believe that they have to be though. However, we do not put too much pressure on them to be role models because by accepting the glory of being a celebrity, they are also accepting responsibility, judgement, and the fact that they shape their public character. Anyone can admire whoever they want, and any celebrities can act however they want; hopefully people will just make the right decision.

-Brian Acker

Anonymous said...

I don't think that it is fair at all for us to just expect them to be perfect for us. They are human too. And I think that it is selfish of us to say how we are disappointed or upset by there decisions or actions. We should think about how we would feel if we lived our lives under a microscope and when we messed up the majority of the world's population knew about it and was mad at you or whatever. It is completely ridiculous. It's not like they asked for you to hold them to a higher standard then the rest of us.
I also think that we don't only need to just have this one role model. It's important to understand that everyone has faults, so if you are going to idolize them, you need to focus on the things they do best and forgive their imperfections. You should also try and be the best role model you can be for others, but know it is still okay to make mistakes. Everyone does and that is how you learn. But what matters is how you react to your mistake and what you take from it.

- Allison Young

Dean Kennedy said...

Anyone can be a role model no matter what they do. What counts is how they do it. A role model does not have to be this unconditionally kind person, they should just be true to themselves and others and not two-faced. They should say what they mean and do what they say and be happy with that decision and happy with their life. Someone who can do all of that, be a kind person, and excel at whatever they do is a true role model.
And Tiger Woods, as well as other celebrities should just be left alone to deal with their own problems and whatever consequences arise. It's okay to give us updates on those kinds of stories, but it's completely unnecessary to blow it out of proportion as usual. Most of the time, eventually all you hear about stories like this is the same thing over and over because they know there really isn't that much there.

Ashley said...

In my opinion, I would not consider someone a role model based on their athletic ability. I would consider a role model someone who serves their community and makes admirable decisions. I good role model doesn't necessarily need to be perfect, they just need to set a good example. A role model should be someone who everyone can look up to, no matter what gender or age. Celebrities do not live perfect lives and I think most of us realize this. Not every celebrity is a role model and we shouldn't hold them all accountable for being a role model. I think in society today, we need a lot more good, down to earth role model's so people can see that being a good person is an attainable goal that can eventually be achieved.

-Ashley Greco

Anonymous said...

a good role model doesnt have to be perfect or an athelete to me a good role model is someone that you can count on and makes wise choices.


-kerri vongrassamy

Anonymous said...

Role Models today often are athletes and celebrities.These people privillaged people that so many look up to, can be great role models, many are involved in charities, non profit organizations and donate regularly. Also, unfortunetly nobody is perfect so yes, even celebrities can make mistakes,and when they do, in my opinion people respond harshly. I think most celebrities are great role models, most have great qualities that people should look up to. So in my opinion, Celebrities do make good role models.

Brittany Alioto