Children Need Role Models

September 17, 2014
| 175 Comments
| Center of Development, Children's Club, Education, English Language School, Life in India

thumbI have had multiple role models during my life. Perhaps the most important role model of all was my mother; she is a well-educated woman who is dedicated to her job and to others. She has spent the majority of her life not only being a mother and caring for her four children, but acting as a role model for her thousands of students, as she is a Biology professor at a local university. Without a doubt, from an early age, I was inspired by her to do my best in all aspects of my life, and eventually, it led me down the path of non-profits and giving back to the world, just as my mother had done, although in a different way.

Still, my mother was only one of many positive role models as the years have passed. When I was younger, I often saw my older peers as types of role models, especially those who were successful in some way; for instance, I became friends with the President of the Writer’s Guild, which led to my love of writing, and my commitment to writing a novel. Other role models I have had include a few key teachers throughout high school and university, as well as a few of my bosses (especially in the realm of non-profits). Each one of my role models has instilled values in me, and a commitment and passion towards bettering the world. But I am not the only one who has gone through this story.

It has been fairly well-established in the media and in professional journals that mentors, or role models, are necessary for success in life; not only career-wise, but also in regards to having positive relationships, high self-esteem, and decent moral values. In fact, the idea of role models has existed for thousands of years; even Aristotle believed that in order to have good values, children needed to imitate or model themselves after people who already had good values. This has been confirmed by many professionals.

For example, an essay by Jeanne Speizer confirms that those who want to advance their careers need a role model or mentor in order to succeed; a person either needs to have a role model, or needs to be actively looking for one. She also points out the importance of role models in the popular media by mentioning an article in the Harvard Business Review with the title, “Everyone Who Makes It Has a Mentor.” Mary Pleiss and John Feldhusen also found that those children who have positive adult role models tend to be more successful in the areas that they are interested in. The relationships do not have to be close ones, but closer would be more beneficial.

On the other hand, while an article on Parenting.org points out how important it is for children to observe and imitate as they develop, this article also warns of negative role models – although parents can often be incredible role models, negative outside influences may overrule the positive. Susan Whitbourne, Ph.D., a Professor of Psychology, comments on the pressing problem of having negative role models in a child’s life. Children can just as easily model bad behavior, such as cutting corners in work and relationships or getting negative attention in class rather than praise for a job well done. Thus, society needs to provide children with positive role models. Profugo has taken on this mission of providing role models to children.

With this in mind, Profugo began the journey to provide children with the role models they need and deserve with the launch of Profugo’s “Children’s Club,” among other programs. The Children’s Club is a program that allows children to participate in activities to improve their academic abilities, social prowess, and engagement with the community and the environment. Specific activities include service events at places such as old age homes, neighborhood cleanups, workshops on topics such as study skills, hygiene habits, stress management, and more. Other children’s programs that Profugo conducts include Spoken English classes, art camps, grants to provide children with needed school supplies, and the recent opening of a counseling center.

Profugo’s aim is not only to improve the lives of the children in the programs, but to improve their community, their country, and perhaps, the entire world. Still, the true treasure is found in each child whose life has been changed by these programs; and that in itself is enough reward for all of the efforts made on their behalf!

 

Sources Used:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201311/we-all-need-role-models-motivate-and-inspire-us

http://www.mhhe.com/mayfieldpub/lawhead/chapter5/the_importance_of_role_models.htm

http://www.parenting.org/article/the-importance-of-role-modeling-for-our-children

http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3173738?uid=3739864&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21103832947211

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/.U5OGIijyQig#.U5YGHCjyQig