What Are Some Benefits of Being a Positive Role Model?

Children want to be just like their parents and other esteemed, authority figures -- such as teachers and coaches -- and will likely imitate the behavior these models display, says child development specialist, writer and speaker Dr. Robyn Silverman. When the youth are watching, it's important for parents and other role models to display positive behaviors, such as good decision-making, respect and doing what you say you're going to do, recommends Dr. Silverman. Positive role modeling helps kids develop skills for healthy and successful living.

  1. Source of Inspiration

    • Developmental psychologist, researcher and educator Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D., notes that in a study she conducted of 43 college students who recalled positive role models who impacted them during childhood and adolescence, one student stated that positive role models inspire others by being passionate about what they do. Price-Mitchell states that her study also found that a role model's social status or wealth had nothing to do with their ability to inspire others. Through their own enthusiasm for what they do, Price-Mitchell suggests, positive role models are able to inspire others to pursue their dreams, even during challenging times.

    Teaching Positive Behavior

    • Positive role models engage in behavior that teaches children appropriate ways to conduct themselves in various environments. Parents and caregivers are a child's first teacher -- and a child's primary role model -- and children get their ideas about appropriate and inappropriate behavior from watching their parents on a day-to-day basis, says clinical psychologist and author Lisa Firestone, Ph.D., with "Psychology Today." Parents who speak kindly to others, using phrases such as "please" and "thank you," inevitably teach their children that showing politeness to others is appropriate behavior. When kids don't have appropriate role models in the home, external, positive role models, such as teachers, coaches and mentors, indirectly teach these children how to use skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

    Helping Others Through Mentorship

    • Being a positive role model gives you a chance to help others who are less fortunate make positive adaptations in life. Children from difficult backgrounds, such as those in the foster care system, can hugely benefit from the kindness, direction and positive role modeling that mentors offer. In a 2005 article for MENTOR: National Mentoring Partnership, an organization that advocates for mentoring programs for youth, Dr. Jean Rhodes says that positive role models help kids in foster care achieve positive outcomes by providing them with care and support that many children in foster care need -- particularly those from neglectful and abusive backgrounds. Mentors become positive role models by teaching foster kids that people can be trusted, and that they are worthy of others' love and attention.

    Accountability

    • Whether you're a parent, teacher or mentor, knowing that impressionable children are watching you serves as a reminder to be on your best behavior, and display honesty and integrity whenever you make a mistake. Dr. Silverman states that "When it comes to being a role model, you must be aware that the choices you make don̵7;t only impact you but also the children who regard you as their superhero." This benefits role models by encouraging them to continue to work on bettering themselves, knowing that their behavior can either help or hurt others who look up to them.

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