Should parents be a childs ONLY role-models?

Question

Whenever famous people do bad things and people tell,start talking about the children they always say "I am not a role model, its the parents".

I mean millions of people watch these people. Michael Vick,Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, models with eating disorders. So should kids not look up to these people, should their only role models be thier parents or mabye someone who does not project a negative image?

Also, did you have any role-models besides your parents growing up?

Answer 1

The minute those people asked other people to pay attention to them, they became role models. It's the price of fame.

I'll bet Vick didn't return all those checks Nike wrote him because kids were grabbing up that #7 jersey. I'll bet Spears and all the other pop tarts never complained about teeny boppers shelling out their babysitting money to buy that noise they call music.

They can't have it both ways.

Answer 2

Billy took the words right out of my mouth.

I think the second someone becomes part of the public eye, ESPECIALLY when promoting things geared towards children or families (Lindsey Lohan, Britney, any sports player...) they become role models. For a pro sports athlete to say that he's not there to be a role model for children is preposterous--how many of us had Bo Jackson or Michael Jordan--depending on your age--postered on their wall as children? And I guarantee if it weren't for some athlete they considered a role model they wouldn't be where they are. Children are impressionable, and short of locking them in their rooms and barring them from all forms of outside media, it is impossible not to be influenced one way or another by somebody other than the parents. Celebrities, in my opinion, have a certain moral responsibility to behave as a role model, and I hate it when they exploit themselves. The media doesn't help by putting it in your face all the time, but some of them are just reckless and should be taken out of public eye.

Answer 3

First of all, good question. Though it can't be answered simply let's say it's not limited to just the parents. Parents themselves must exhibit acceptable traits for their children to emulate. Hopefully there are others within the family tree that a child can be pointed to. Beyond the family circle, you can look at others in civic life but since we all have character flaws, I'd rather keep it closer to home. When public figure's flaws are exposed, they are usually exacerbated by the news media.

To me it's like the Santa Claus syndrome. You point a child to a public figure as a role model and that individual is not what they've been presented, the feeling of disappointment and deception overcomes them.

Answer 4

I think that kids should pick there own role models. Mines Paris Hilton and many people think shes a bad influence but they dont look at the good things she does. A kid should look up to someone that they are intrested in and have there parents stop nagging them about who and who not to like>

Answer 5

Absolutely, there's only so many things a child can learn from parents. I had role models in my grandparents, aunts, uncles, older kids and teachers.
Celebrities should be a bit more careful in how they act, kids do look up to them even if they don't want to be looked up to. Kids do make up their fan base.

Answer 6

I see what you are saying about the celebrities, but just let your kids know that those people don't live life like we do, and so that is why they act that way. Show your children how great you, or any other community member is, and have that person, their "role model" show them how to accomplish their dreams, and not live like a celebrity!

Good Luck!

Lauren <3

Answer 7

a child can have many role models, like a best friend or a close relative, though some crazy parents do get mad at their child if they have a diff. role model besides them. Jelousy, over a kid!

Answer 8

Obviously Parents have the most influence on their children. But, the people who are in the child's world influence also. Teachers,, classmates Church leaders, etc.. The ones who influenced me mainly, were my Parents.

As parents we need to give our children a realistic view of "celebrities", and instill in them that they are "entertainers", not role models.

Answer 9

having only parents is not a good idea in some cases either though, we all know not everyone is a good parent sadly, and if that were the only people they had to aspire to be like then it would just perpetuate bad parenting,
i comefrom a small family with no siblings but had grandparents who were a huge, and positive influence on me

Answer 10

of course not!! teachers, community leaders. a child has many different role models!!