Celebrities as Role Models?

Once,we were doing a weekend free Teaching class for kids.I was handling kids of first grade.Din't take much time to work out who was the brightest kid there.I threw some relevant questions and picked out Tim as best-among-equals.He was a bright kid,who knew all alpahbets(In order too) and had a good basics in Maths.



"Who is your role model in life ?",I asked Tim.The kid,who until now had confidently answered all questions, stood stranded. My intention was not put him in a uncomfortable position;all I wanted to know was Kids' choice for role models these days.I was taken back by his silence.So I put myself in his shoes for a second and though about it.


So far it had been easy for him.But now Tim realised that this was the toughest question he has faced so far..Until this point, all of the answers he had given were taught by his teachers the previous day or questions from his book.But now he had to give his own answer.


On the positive side, he never knew,this is the first opportunity given to a him to choose his own wish.But now he had so many options running through his mind..And he did come up with an answer- Hugh Jackman. And now I stood stranded.It is nothing but just to be with the trend we land up making celebrities as the role models.It's true with kids of all ages.


I still remember ,for a long time my Role Model was Martin Luther King. Now it's become a trend to have a celebrity as a Role Model.I would still digest, if kids took up Celebrity Sports Persons as their role model.But actors?They confuse the actor with the role..


It's upto Parents and Teachers to a huge extent, to teach or be, proper Role Models for kids to follow. People who remain positive throughout any situation are good examples for others to follow.Romans used to look upto Mythical and Historical figures for Role Models.


I have been to a couple of teaching class from then,and the first two questions I ask any kid is, What do you want to become 25 years from now and Who is your Role Model. And I have found out that the two answers never Sync.


A kid who wants to be a pilot has an Actor as Role model; Another kid wants to be a nurse but sees Lady Gaga as a Role model.The kid whose answers Sync for these two questions,would surely make it big..