What Are Role Models?

Role models are people who set the standard for other people in areas such as attitude, behavior, skill and relationships. When people follow the example of another person, the person being followed is a role model. A role model might have one particular area that makes him a good role model, or he can lead a generally imitation-worthy lifestyle. Alternatively, he could be looked up to simply because of who he is, even if he is not particularly worthy of emulation.

  1. Religious Role Models

    • Just as the term suggests, people model the roles of their role models. In other words, they copy what they do in one particular area. It is common for religious people to have someone they look up to in their faith. Religious role models can be church leaders, family members or friends. Those who look up to religious role models might do so because a person is particularly devout or because she plays a large role in their life.

    Celebrities and Professional Athletes

    • Professional athletes are idols for children and adults alike. Their skill and talent make them stand out as potential role models. People want to be just like them because they are athletic and often rich. The same holds true for many other celebrities. Some of these athletes, musicians and celebrities lead healthy lifestyles on top of being successful and rich. Others are talented but make poor role models in other areas. Unfortunately, fans often emulate them anyway.

    Family Members

    • One of the first places where a person finds a role model is within his family. Children model the behavior of their parents, older siblings, aunts and uncles. Sometimes this is a subconscious thing. Other times a person consciously models his behavior after a loved one. That is why it is important for family members to know that they are role models for children in their family, whether they want to be or not.

    Teachers and School Administrators

    • Children who are not home-schooled spend a lot of time with the adults in their school. It is natural that some look up to these adults as role models. They can model their behavior or decide they want to work in a school when they grow up like their role model.

    Coworkers and Employers

    • Role models are not just for children. People often have role models throughout their lives. As their interests and goals change, so do their role models. If an employee is lucky, she might find someone worthy of emulation at her place of employment. A boss or coworker who does her job well or has a positive attitude is the kind of role model a person finds at work.

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