Positive role models and teens

Its a real pity that a society that pushes the idea of self-promotion does little to provide the necessary role models for the students to aspire. The value of positive role models in the development of positive attitudes is obvious. If we provide positive examples then we quickly establish the patterns we want to instill and re-inforce. But just as positive models establish positive patterns, then negative role models establish negative ones.

We have already seen that our society actively supports and pushes the "self-promotion and winning". We readily make and promote role models that we hope will inspire our children and "produce winners" but I really wonder how successful we have been? Surely being responsible for promoting and making our models, we must take into account the successes and failures. After all, these models are what we say we want out children to not onlt aspire to, but in some cases, to also become. We really cannot take a back seat in this process as we have been actively pushing, pursuing and holding them up for our chilren to emulate - this means that the 'bouquets and brickbats" will fall towards us.

So what do teens look for in a role model? I found an interesting blog 'What is a Role Model? Five Qualities that Matter to Teens' by Marilyn Price-Mitchell, PhD that helped me better understand. She lists the qualities she found in her study of teens were that they have:

1. Passion and Abilty to Inspire
2. A Clear Set of Values
3. A Commitment to Community
4. A Selflessness and Acceptance of Others
5. An Ability to Overcome Obstances

While the list above is not being really surprising, Price-Mitchell then went on to compare the difference between teen choices and those of adults. In somewhat of a shock it seems that teens ranked commitment to community above that of the adults. This came as a bit of shock when we consider the stereotypical teen!

I followed on and read her subsequent blog on 'How Role Models Influence Youth Strategies for Success', and was most pleased to see that children with growth mindsets aspire to more positive role models than students with "fixed or prevention mindset". It appears that the benefits of a growth mindset are really greater than just increased creativity and improved results.

All of this makes me wonder if:

• I promote good role models?
• I would be a positive role model?
• I push the growth mindset enough in my students?
• Is the idea of "winners" changing?
• our children see "winners" in the same way as we do?