Teen Stuff - Role Models

TEEN STUFF, February 2008, by Jessica and Brittney

ROLE MODELS
Is there anyone
we can look up to?

role models People like to ask us about our opinions on ‘other’ magazines and what we think about the way celebrities are portrayed. After talking about it together for a while (alone!), we tried to see if we could think of any celebrities teens we would want to be like. Other than Miley Cyrus (who we seriously hope doesn’t change the way some other singers have) there were only a couple who we see plastered all over popular magazines that aren’t all materialistic and actually have something inspiring to say.

We got worried at first that there weren’t enough role models for teens any more. But after we got to thinking of people other than just celebrities, we discovered that role models are here, all around us, they just aren’t as obvious as some of the celebrities.

Jessica: What is a role model anyway? Do they have to be perfect? Do they have to be popular, look beautiful or be the best at something? I say NO! A positive role model might have those qualities as a bonus, but they are so much more than that!

Brittney: Oh, I know! An example of positive role models in my life are my gymnastic coaches. They support me and believe that I can do anything I set my mind to with practice. Even on the days where I felt extra scared, worried or unable to do a new skill, my coaches pushed me to do my very best and never give up. I remember the skill that I worked on for the longest time was a front tuck (front flip) on the floor without a mat. It was very scary for me and all I could think of was how I could mess up and get hurt. One coach in particular, Erin, encouraged me to practice and practice. The day finally came that I did my dreaded front tuck on the floor all by myself (and I live to tell about it!). It really helped knowing that my coaches were in my scared situation at one time and they still did it. Plus getting the encouragement and support from someone I looked up to made me try harder.

Jessica: So then, a positive role model is someone who we look up to and we love what kind of person they are. We want to be like them. They are someone who can be themselves and do what they believe in, even though it could lead to some challenges for them. Role models are people who succeed in life and make an effort for themselves because they know it’s the right thing to do. They will go beyond the imaginable for happiness and then strive to do better. Role models are real people, guys and girls, they make mistakes just like everyone, but they want to be their true selves inside and out.

Brittney: But there are bad role models too. Another coach, this time not mine, but one for a girl’s hockey team showed an exact example of how NOT to be a role model. One of the girls messed up in practice right before a big game. The coach wasn’t very happy about it and started to yell and swear at her for the fact that she wasn’t ready for the big game. (I think he cared about it more then they all did). The poor girl just stood there and took in all the criticism and blame. I could tell she’d have a hard time overcoming all that negativity because the person she looked up to didn’t believe in her or give her encouragement. Because of that, her self-esteem and confidence in herself must have been very low. Talk about not feeling good enough, and especially in front of her peers.

Jessica: Yeah, and that is an example of a mentor too. A mentor is someone who teaches you things. Usually someone you look up to and trust. Some role models aren’t always people we know or talk to. They can be people we just hear about or read about.

Brittney: That’s right Jess, and the thing that bothers me is when so many role models in the media make us feel like we’re never going to be good enough. To be like them is impossible when their bodies and faces are airbrushed. I always wished I could have hair like on the commercials. But when I use those products I still don’t look like they do in those ads.

Jessica: You have nice hair Brittney, but I know what you mean. I used to wish I was taller. I am what I am, and I prefer role models who don’t put all their energy on what they look like, but instead they try to BE the best they can. That’s easier to live up to, because we all have talents. Besides, there’s always something new to ‘change’ about ourselves that, like you said, we’ll just never be good enough if we follow that.

Brittney: So where can we find positive role models and mentors?

Jessica: The truth is there are not many obvious ones in the media right now. But you can find them in many other places. Most people think a positive role model has to be a saint, perfect in every way, but they can be anyone from a best friend to a teacher, coach or parent. These people are real, and that’s what a role model should be. Athletes are great role models too because of the dedication, ambition and determination they have to succeed.

Brittney: And you know, we can all be role models too. Maybe there is someone who already looks up to you! I bet there is someone out there who is terrified to do a front tuck who can look up to me and know that if I can do it, so can she.

Jessica: Some days I feel kind of down and frustrated with life. It’s easy to feel sad and uncertain sometimes but you know what, when there are real people to look up to who I know have gotten through the same stuff, it’s way easier to feel better.

Brittney: Totally! There are real life role model blogs in this site to read about. Do a search on Inspirational Girls.

Jessica: So our message to our readers: Find your own role models, people you can look up to. And find mentors too, people who will teach you and support you and show you what they have learned so you can do it too.

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