...ROLE MODEL A role model is generally defined as a person who serves as an example of a positive behavior. The term “role model” was introduced by Robert K. Merton who said that individuals compare themselves with "reference groups" full of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires. Adults, parents, people in authority, people of influence, celebrities, are often idolized and looked up to by the people around them. Since by definition a role model has to exhibit positive behavior, only some of these people qualify as role models. Others serve as bad examples, which unfortunately can be just as influencing. It is a daunting responsibility to be viewed as a role model. Regardless of how one reaches the stature of being looked up to, the responsibility is the same. Role models are supposed to walk the talk. As Albert Schweitzer said, “example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” I remember an advocacy campaign that focused on what we as adults show children. We litter and throw garbage even in areas with signs that say otherwise; and on our way to the mall with our family; we jaywalk as we cross the streets; we violate traffic rules, etc. Not unlike Aesop’s fable “the young thief and his mother”, we once saw a father alternating with his son to get packets of sugar and table napkin in a coffee shop. In a span of about half an hour, they must have made ten trips to the condiments station to fill a bag and...
Words: 665 - Pages: 3
...For example, when the author of the book goes to military school, his mother asks one of his teachers to take care of him. This shows how teachers can take a major role in a student's life to make it better and to cause the student to improve in his area of study and in his personal life. Teachers have a special influence in a student's life because they are a role model that a student looks up to and has to be friend in order to succeed in a class. Teachers can serve as role models for their students by asking about the student's personal life and helping them if...
Words: 1236 - Pages: 5
...Not only are they beautiful and elegant, they are now also powerful while possessing the ability to control their future. As I was growing up, Disney movies and certain people in the media molded my judgment on women in both positive and negative ways. The princesses and actresses showed me how women can be the “damsel in distress”, weak and only necessary for preparing food and bearing children; the “heroin”, powerful and independent; the “eye candy”, a distraction or an object purely for the pleasure of men; and naturally the “Lady”, the superior females who have the positive aspects of both the “eye candy” and “the heroin”. When I was a child the only movies I watched were the classic Disney movies. Those princesses were the female role models that I looked up to. They were always so beautiful with great talent. No matter how horrible the environment in which the princesses grew up, they were always humble and kind to anyone and everyone. On the contrary, some people even say that they are naïve or too nice and that they would have gotten taken advantage of easily if girls were like that in the real world. As a young girl I thought no harm in the representation the Hwang 2 princesses made of women. I thought, since they were princesses, that women were held up to a high value or even looked up to like royalty. However, as I grew up, I realize that those movies only created this image that women are fragile and in need of a male figure in her life to complete her. I learned...
Words: 933 - Pages: 4
...What Three Things Motivated Me to Start College? What motivations would have me stepping out of my comfortable safe zone to contemplate textbooks, essays, grades, dreaded exams, and taking on the finical burden of student loans? I always had a vague idea someday, after the kids were grown and I had more free time, I would go back and get the college education I passed up in my youth. Life experiences and the oft times unexpected upheaval it brings, has dramatically brought a different agenda to my motivations and goals. Narrowing down to the strongest point that motivated me to start college is a fairly easy task, it all boils down to the main focus of my life: my family, raising our circumstances and all of our future aspirations. The foremost motivation is by far the largest was the dedication to raising my family. My husband became disabled roughly seven years ago; at that time I was unable to keep our small construction company running. The construction company, our main source of income, was gone and quality of life became vastly different. The struggle to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table for our children was the spur I needed to make the decision to return to college. This became my main motivation. Starting college and seeking out a degree that would provide me the ability to find employment with the ultimate goal of being able to provide a better life for my family. The prospect of a brighter future was appealing. The second motivation is, which...
Words: 804 - Pages: 4
...they face, or problems that might occur; by showing them a different light. The smile that comes across a child’s face symbolizing that they understand or I've got it! Is one of the best feelings I feel, a teacher could have. This would show to me that I'm doing my job well and I helped a child cover new exciting things! In hopes that they would not be stuck at a lower intellectual development level; not being able to problem solve. I want to see all of my students excel to their fullest potential! That to me would be one of the best rewards that there could be, because in return I would be given a gift of making a difference. My second reward that I feel is important seems to go hand-in-hand with the above, by being a positive role model in a...
Words: 1037 - Pages: 5
...agency. She has been supervising Michael, an internship student from a local university, for 2 months. Michael verbalizes what appears to be a great deal of insecurity regarding his counseling skills and abilities. He starts apologizing for his performance on his taped counseling session prior to playing the tape for supervision. In addition, when processing the various clients he sees, Michael often says, “I just don’t know what to do.” However, Michael is receptive to supervision and always incorporates the feedback offered to him by Janet. Most recently, Michael has presented a case for supervision of a client who is experiencing problems in her romantic relationship. Michael indicates that the client reports not ever having a positive role model regarding relationships, not having a good relationship with her father, and not knowing how to deal with arguments in relationships. Michael said he felt a little uncomfortable when the client stated she wished her boyfriend could spend some time with him (Michael) so that he could learn how to really listen to her. Janet is the clinical director of a local counseling agency. She has been supervising Michael, an internship student from a local university, for 2 months. Michael verbalizes what appears to be a great deal of insecurity regarding his counseling skills and abilities. He starts apologizing for his performance on his taped counseling session prior to playing the tape for supervision. In addition, when processing the various...
Words: 363 - Pages: 2
...Ashlee McGrown IS 101 Education and Social Change November 19, 2012 Final Project: First-Generation College Students First for Everything No two people have the same experiences due to the fact that every person is different, whether it be a difference in background, education, or skin color, something separates everyone. When attending college, you become exposed to to even more differences between everyone. Students come from various backgrounds, including some students being the first in their family to attend college. These particular students are also known as first-generation college students. The hard-work and dedication of these students should not go unnoticed because they struggle differently due to them going into college blind in a sense. They do not know what to expect when going into college because proper guidance is lacked which leaves them at a disadvantage opposed to their counterparts who have family that are experiencing or have experienced the college life. However, a negativity or positivity of a person background does not determine their future, but rather the hardworking ethic and dedication it takes to succeed. “Fischer (2007) reported that black and Hispanic students are more often FGS than their white or Asian counterparts, and they also tend to have lower socioeconomic status backgrounds. Fischer added that the students also experience another disadvantage of being minorities on predominantly white campuses.” (Confronting First-Generation...
Words: 1334 - Pages: 6
...(Outline) Thesis: Hip Hop music has become a widely debated topic when it comes to the Urban Youth behavior and the music’s effect on the Urban Youth Culture. I. Hip Hop music is not only an outlet for today’s urban youth but it also provides, mainly within its lyrics, a positive message to many struggling to cope with everyday life. A. Artists channel their lyrics into the everyday struggles of the working class community. B. Artists such as Beyoncé channel their music into the empowerment of young women. C. Hip Hop artists go back to schools in their childhood communities to give back to those who don’t have. II. Many Hip Hop artists strive to be positive role models for upcoming men and women of today’s generation. A. Artists such as Jay Z strive to be a positive role model for young men of today’s upcoming urban culture. B. Artists encourage positivity in youth through their lyrics and appeal. C. Hip Hop celebrities such as Brandy writes music that encourages young women that they can do anything they set their hearts to. III. Hip Hop music is the cause of a lot of violence in the urban youth culture. A. Many hip hop artists write explicit lyrics that promote sex, drugs, and violence. B. Hip hop music videos are not as censored as they should be when it comes to violence. C. Some lyrics in some of today’s hip hop places in the minds of young urban listeners that it is ok to be violent....
Words: 257 - Pages: 2
...Activity 1 1. What Characteristics do you believe a positive role model in the workplace should demonstrate? A positive workplace should demonstrate the following 10 characteristics according to Cox(2002) These are: 1. Uncompromising integrity 2.High energy 3.Good at working priorities 4. Courageous 5. A committed and dedicated hard worker 6. Unorthodox and creative 7. Goal Orientation 8. Inspired and contagious enthusiasm 9. Staying level headed 10. A desire to help others grow and succeed 2. Describe a person you have looked up to as a positive role model. What qualities in them did you admire? What made them a suitable role model? What did you learn from them? Sir Richard Branson is one of the worlds most intriguing, succesful and enduring entrepreneurial business leaders. The founder of the Virgin Group, he has established a very interesting background and approach to both leadership and where he chooses to put his resources to work. He is an extremist in serial entrepreneurship and has a very interesting and exciting leadership style. Qualities:Creativity : Richard Branson’s ventures portray creativity, venturing into airliners using new creative measures such as touch-screen ordering of food and comfortable planes. This comes in an era where most other airliners are figuring out how to remove the last remaining frills to cut costs.Adaptability : One of his strong characteristics, besides his charisma, seems to be his adaptability to situations...
Words: 2789 - Pages: 12
...assignment I will critically reflect and appraise the role of the mentor in professional practice which should enable me to facilitate learning in my practice setting. It will be appended with a critical incident that I feel is relevant, to my present and future practice, utilising a reflective model in the process. The word mentor is of Greek origin, the concept stemmed from Homer’s odyssey, where mentor a wise and trusted friend of Odysseus took on the education of his son Telamachis, in the absence of his friend. Carruthers (1993) gives a further dimension, that “this meant that mentor had to be a father figure, teacher, role model, approachable councillor, trusted advisor, challenger and encourager”. The compact Oxford English Dictionary describe mentor as “an experienced person in an organisation or institution who trains and counsels new employees or students”(www.askoxford.com). Mentoring in pre registration nurse education has become a widely accepted practice since the introduction of project 2000 (Lee, 2006). Most of the literature written in the early 1990’s involved defining the concept and determining the nature of the mentoring role. The lack of agreement regarding the role and functions of mentors was a common feature. Terms such as mentor, preceptor facilitator and supervisor were all used interchangeably creating an overlay of role functions which were not clearly defined (Neary, 2000). Hamilton (1993) describes the role of mentoring as being a way of helping another...
Words: 1173 - Pages: 5
... 1. What makes a good role model and how would I ensure that I acted as a role model for employees I supervise? A role model is a person who others look up to and admire. A role model provides inspiration and motivation to seek out accomplishments. Role models send messages about their beliefs by what they do and say. Here are some traits of positive role models. A role model is self-assured and happy with who she is. If a role model displays that she has self-esteem, those who look up to her will, too. A role model displays a streak of independence showing she does not need to follow current trends. Role models trust in being themselves. They are proud of who they are, but not cocky. Being human means having to constantly deal with stress and overcome obstacles. A role model sets a good example on how to handle pressure. Athlete role models can handle stress and can come through when the pressure is on. While they may not win every game, when they fail they attempt to learn from their mistakes. Trustworthiness is another quality of a good role model. A role model is honest and doesn't lie. A role model possesses integrity and does the right thing even if no one is looking or he does not receive acknowledgment for his act. A good role model also does what she says. A good role model delivers on her promises and can always be counted on even when she is overwhelmed and wants to quit. Perseverance is a key trait. Role models demonstrate that if they work hard...
Words: 3110 - Pages: 13
...Dear Lukas Raschilla, In your article, “Athletes are artists, not role models”, you claim that you are bewildered that anyone would view professional athletes as role models. By saying that sports figures are "not" and "shouldn't be expected" to be role models in their actions on and off the playing field is in my opinion giving a free pass for bad behavior. As the saying goes...to those who much has been given, much is expected. You claim, "athletes do not choose to be role models", but I feel anyone who holds a position of notoriety and popularity with the public should shoulder that admiration with dignity. As we know, merely by association in any career, be it sports, education, health care, government, and even religion, does not guarantee that the individuals will be positive role models. Instead, moral obligations need to be nurtured and, when necessary, consequences clearly enforced in incidents of conduct not befitting the role that person represents. It is unrealistic to think there will not be transgressions in the athletic arena as they are all human, but even this can serve as a valuable lesson to young fans. Charles Barkley is correct when he says in the Nike commercial that "parents should be the most important role model for kids" and no one expects a sports figure to replace that position, but it also takes a village to raise good citizens. Everyone that occupies attention in a child's life should realize that their actions will be seen and will affect the...
Words: 3091 - Pages: 13
...horse of a woman, so wild she wouldn't marry.(pg 11)¨ but Esperanza's great-grandmother was forced in a relationship by Esperanza's great-grandfather. Esperanza stated in the book ¨ I have inherited her name, but I don't want to inherit her place by the window(pg 11)¨. The reason that Esperanza said that is that after her great-grandfather forced her great-grandmother into having kids is that her grandmother after having kids she looked out the window and looked depress. My opinion of why Esperanza's great-grandmother is on for her role model is that she wants to live her life to her potential and didn't want to have to stop because of a man that made his mind and has declared that Esperanza has to follow what he says without her inside information. This role model is helps create Esperanza personality by showing that she can do what she wants and no person can stop her in her tracks. That is why I pick Esperanza’s great-grandmother as a role model that helped shaped her...
Words: 848 - Pages: 4
...develop a strong need and desire to belong and our ability to achieve this is shaped by our behaviours attitudes and actions. This notion is evident in the novel, The Simple Gift composed by Steven Herrick. Where Herrick demonstrates many concepts of belonging, one being the need to belong to a group or a community shapes our behaviour, attitudes and actions. Herrick conveys this through the perspectives of Billy, Old Bill and Caitlin. In Steven Herrick’s novel ‘A Simple Gift’, he uses various techniques to portray belonging or the lack of belonging. We accompany Billy as he meets great role models which serve to inspire him thoughout the novel. Ernie's train whistle symbolises the beginning of Billy's new life contrasted favourably by Ernie’s accepting and helpful attitude. Ernie give Billy his first taste of hope in mankind, whilst allowing Billy to feel acceptance. His next positive role model is Irene, Bendarat’s Librarian, who welcomes him and encourages him to borrow books and broaden his mind, Irene accepts Billy immediately a helps him at stages of the story. A great technique used in the novel is Multiple Narrators, as the characters of Billy, Old Bill and Caitlin who because of their sense of alienation, are pushed towards one another by fate, to fulfil their need to belong. The mutual yearning they share is revealed by the use of a split narrative writing, in which each character’s thoughts and feelings are uncovered. Furthermore allowing us to see several situations...
Words: 677 - Pages: 3
...Rice Cakes and Starbucks by Esther Freud B1. In the English story Rice Cakes and Starbucks by Esther Freud, we are introduced to the Lindens a family who arrives to Los Angeles. Dan and Beth have rented a house in the hills and they are bringing three children Grace, Honey and Ben. Dan wants to pursue a career as an actor in America and therefore the whole family moves to the States. The house is okay and there is a swimming pool. The first week rain is pouring down until the day Dan has his first casting with CBS. Dan puts on his suit and wants to leave early for the meeting but Beth wants her and the children to come with him. They went to Starbucks and Dan leaves to go to the meeting with CBS. Dan tries to make a good impression on the casting woman Pammy. Afterwards he tells Beth that everything went all right but he does not believe he would ever hear from CBS again. Dan`s agent Finola calls to tell that Pammy wants to see his seven-years-old daughter Honey about a casting but Dan does not tell Beth about it. B2. Dan worries about how he should be able to make it as an actor when he also got a family to provide for. He is mostly controlled by his superego, which you see in the way he is thinking about his family. He is unable to meet them at their level, for example when he is going to the meeting with CBS and he had left his family at Starbuck: "Dan walked twice round the block to shake all thoughts of his family off" Yet his empathy and his id tells him that he should...
Words: 798 - Pages: 4
