Why do we consider role models so important?

Question

Do you think people are innately good or bad? Can a person turn out to be a positive influence without a role model?

To E: I personally believe that people are born as a blank slade, ready to be written upon. However, I also believe that people can overcome any obstacle set before them if they try hard enough. I think you're an example of the Human ability to rise above circumstances.

To DS: You and others are probably right when you say everyone has some kind of role model and that environment plays a large part in our development.

Answer 1

I believe in the innate goodness of all people. It is a combination of outside influences and inner thoughts and feelings that determine who we are.
Children who grow up with ideal parents and great teachers can still turn out to be criminals and sociopaths.
Children who grow up with abusive and unaccepting parents can still turn out to be good, law-abiding and respectable people. (That's me. For the most part. Lol.)
But other people shape who you are, even if you don't consciously model yourself after them. (or consciously avoid being like them...)

(edit)

Was it John Locke who coined the term 'tabula rosa'?

Answer 2

"Do you think people are innately good or bad?"

This is really a completely separate idea than your other question, but I would say no.

As for the other part:

Role models are really only important if your are some sort of environmentalist, in that you believe that our environments shape our selves as opposed to our subconscious, genes, etc...

If your are an environmentalist you would probably argue that role models, or other beings in our personal worlds, are the most important part of our growth.

Can we turn our "positive" without a role model? Find me one person, just one, who grew up without a role model and I'll let you know. Everyone idealizes someone, be it a direct relationship (relative, friend) or an indirect one (celebrity, athlete).

Answer 3

People are innately sinful ("bad").

However, this has nothing to do with whether or not a person can be a positive influence on someone else (with or without a role model).

"Role models" come in many forms. Some without "live" role models chose to pattern their behavior after real or mythical persons they've read about or seen (e.g., former presidents, super heroes, deceased family members).

Although it is not easy to become positive person in the absence of live role models, it is (thankfully) quite possible.

Answer 4

I guess role models are our way of working out our place in the world such as how we should behave, what we should do in certain situations etc. We're social creatures and although we probably don't realize it, we're influenced by role models all the time from your parents, school friends right throughout life. Essentially we're not born with the answers so we look to others for them.

As for not having a role model - I doubt anyone has ever managed not to have one.

And with regards good or bad - kindof depends on what angle you're looking at them from.

Answer 5

True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would like to have and those who have affected us in a way that makes us want to be better people. To advocate for ourselves and our goals and take leadership on the issues that we believe in. We often don't recognize our true role models until we have noticed our own personal growth and progress . . . I think that I serve as a temporary role model to my younger sister but she just doesn't want to admit it yet. :) I believe a person has many role models in their lives. Each role model teaches a person about themselves . A role model to me is someone who not only treats me as an equal but is honest, trusting, and most of all open-minded especially in today’s society. We live in a society that really doesn't allow one to be different . A role model DARES you and themselves to be different.

Answer 6

sure; it particularly is probable between the main extremely important issues for any youthful individual of the two gender. collectively as a guy may be the situation style to a girl, or a woman to a boy, our society's male/lady dichotomy remains so stated that a same-intercourse place style remains excellent. consistent with probability some day, that's no longer particularly the case, yet for now, it particularly is sturdy for a woman to work out women human beings doing issues that ought to help them alongside their very own direction in existence.

Answer 7

Kids are exposed to a lot of things. It is nice to have someone that can show them what a great person can be like that they can aspire to. It shows them what the road ahead can be like. In the 70's we had astronaut and in the 90's we had hip hop. Now we have Paris, Britiny, linsy. Now do you see why it is so important.