Casey Getzendaner

10/27/14
WR 121
Argue that role models are still necessary for
race/gender/socioeconomic status.
Role models are fgures that have been seen throughout
history, all over the world, and have always been highly thought of by
the people who go as far to call them role models. They are even
recognized by whole nations, seen as great patriots for their people
and adored. They have been a constant idol of reference to the people
that fnd them to be something to base your life on. Role models are
still as valuable to human growth in todays world as much as they
have ever been. any children still use them to help grow and strive to
be better, as well as adults but in a less idolizing sense yet still seen
!uite often.
any people li"e to say that in light of the parent, relative or close
friend, that role models are whom children ta"e e#ample of and
reference too the most. $hildren absorb and retain information in a
both beautiful and dangerous way. The information and advice that
children receive, at such an age, is what ma"es and shapes the child
into whom they become as adults. %hen children are growing up they
loo" at their role models for inspiration and use this as a blueprint for
how they should behave when they are older. This is a survival function
deigned to help us to mimic the traits of those successful in society to
ma"e us be successful too. &t is seen that children will attempt to be
li"e these role models in very positive ways. 'n the opposing side
some might say that a lot of the role models today do not give the best
e#ample for these children to follow, which is why only positive and
productive role models should be shown and have advice for these
young ones to ta"e e#ample of. The case of a child who is not able to
have a good role model may have been raised without immediate role
models such as parents, siblings, and other family members. 'ther role
models, which children more li"ely fnd and identify themselves tend to
be accompanied by the frst role models or frst adult to be in the
childs life.
'ur worlds children are not the only ones who have role models
in their lives, but young to old adults as well, although their form of
role model is usually a bit more subtle, where a child would have
anything from a fctional cartoon character to a super hero, to a
famous musician. An adults role model is generally more (real), from
historians to great politicians, to close friends. An adults role model is
usually more adult acting or seems more mature. Adults use fctional
characters as well, often times they are found in realistic fction or
more (age appropriate) themed literature. They can even be found for
adults on television, movies, and other forms of theatre. The
importance of role models n society is partly a product of people
feeling happiness based on the perception they have of how good life
should or could be and the gap between that and how things actually
are. ar" Thomas mentions in his article in The &mportance of Role
odels, he says that (its striving for that same "ind of success and
achieving it that brings us happiness or otherwise when were older,
this is called *actualization by +oldstein) ,Thomas,-..
%hen some e#amples of other role models are thought of a whole
plethora of choices become available. There are peers, be they
recreational, academic or wor" related. There are characters in the
media/ flms, television, boo"s, sports, comics, the music industry. All
of these have a huge in0uence on people and how they behave and
present themselves. This means that they a1ect people in life
changing ways, it can a1ect how they dress, who they vote for or their
political views, even as far as there religion and music preference a
role model can e1ect. &n conclusion to that role model are still very
present, and 2ust as much needed now as they ever will be or ever
have been in society. T doesnt mean every aspect of the role models
are imitated. 3ut they defnitely wor" as a great reference point for all
ages to be able to build and grow from.
Works Cited
Thomas Mark. The Importane o! Ro"e Mode"s.# Health Guidance 2014$ %. We&.