Role Models of children: A study
By Dr. Samir Parikh, 02 November 2009 | Category: Uncategorized We all talk about role models and the impact they have upon the behavior and development of children and adolescents alike. What we see is what we believe and what we see is what determines how we integrate experiences, assimilate and accommodate them, and then how they influence our behaviors. We have all developed notions and ideas regarding who probably has the most significant influence upon our children and teenagers.
In a bid to develop a comprehensive understanding of the role models of the children and adolescents of today, we conducted a comprehensive study of 500 students belonging to the ninth and eleventh standard from prominent schools of Delhi. An overview of the results was surprising as well as reassuring at some levels to most.
30% children said for them their parents were their role models, and 13% said teachers - so almost half of the students felt that parents and teachers were their role models, a thought which I am sure would please most of us. This also needs to be seen as a responsibility of parents and teachers, that our children are learning constantly from us, and we need to show them the best path. Parents need to keep building on their communication pattern with children, and take time out to share their experiences; this would strengthen the child’s personality. And teachers also need to appreciate this part of their role where beyond the teaching of subjects they have the responsibility for shaping the future of these children. What this also means is that many a times when adults believe that children don’t look up to them and are swayed away by the glamour of media, its not completely true, yes media has its impact, but the child look ups to the parent!
Another interesting statistic that came out was that 13% children had their role models in the older politicians and freedom fighters, as compared to 2% who talked about modern day leaders and politicians. Maybe there is an underlying message here for the present day leaders. They need to do bring a change in themselves to get an attitudinal change in the young minds. Children are very reflective of truth, and this is the reality of our times that the leaders are unable to inspire the young minds.
What was also good to see that scientists, social activist, and successful entrepreneurs and business people, have been rated higher than some of the media and sports personalities with almost one in five children having them as their role models. This shows that the modern day youth is aware, and well informed, and respects effort, academics, and success both, which is a good sign for them, also the respect for social scientists comes as a pleasing revelation. This also is a learning, schools and parents need to utilize messages by these people to reach out to children so that success as a need can be imbibed in their minds.
A comparative low rating of 7% for media, may surprise a lot of people, and maybe its an insight to us adults, who believe that children are swayed away by media personalities. There is no doubt that media has a powerful potential to sway attitudes in young minds, but what one also needs to see that media personalities might be liked but not always seen as role models by children, and this should be an insightful thought for media personalities.
Again sports gets a comparatively low rating of 6%. Two sides can be inferred regarding this - one that we need to enhance the impact of sports personalities on youth to encourage more kids to come to sports, which is a relatively neglected area in our educational system, and the second aspect that we adults falsely believe that media and sports would be the highest category of role models for youth.
The results of the study were clearly indicative of the significant impact that significant others and important personalities within the society have upon young, developing minds and how they need to mediate the behaviors they display, their thought patterns, and their emotional experiences.
There is lot to learn for all of us from the above inferences, and we need to accept our responsibilities in shaping the future of out children.
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dear mr. parikh,
i read your paper on role models but i doubt whether still so many children have teachers as role models. the percentage may be even lower. now a days the teacher is not at all a role model for children instead they find their role models in actors and actresses and their priorities have changed considerably. i am in a teaching profession and feel that “spare the rod an spoil the child” was a correct quotation as said by elders. sorry to say but children have forgotten their ethics and family has a greater role in this.
Dear Dr.Sameer,
I read your paper on “Roal Models of children”. I use some of the points in my lecture. My lecture was regarding the “Importance of sports to children”
[...] who serves as an example, whose behavior is emulated by others”. In an interesting study among school students in India, 30% of children polled said for them their parents were their role models, and 13% said teachers [...]
Dear Dr.Samir,
I liked your study.Findings give us a direction.
Dear Dr. Parikh,
Yes, role models does seem to have undergone a transformation.
Let’s hope the study’s indicators finds way in changing the role of media and other aspects in everyday life!
Regards,
Bharti
The result of this study again proves the important, challenging and demanding role of primary social agencies i.e. family and school. Having a role model in life is a great thing to have; one who provides us with direction and inspiration. I would like to share a you tube video with you all, so that we can think, learn and become good role models for our kids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJF50kwwRJE
The important thing to learn for us is that each one of us is a role model for someone, so our sense of self responsibility is what matters.