What are the Positive Effects?

• Role models can have many positive effects in our society. Dating back to Aristotle,people have believed that role models can help people develop good habits and goals. Positive effects include influencing people to strive for goals no matter how difficult it may be to achieve them, behaving with manners and etiquette, or exercising successful work and money management skills.
  
  

What are the Negative Effects?

• People may emulate a role model whose actions are not always positive. For example, many people see celebrities as role models. They are rich, famous and live fabulous lifestyles. However, not all of their traits are positive. Frequently you hear in the media about drug and alcohol abuse, and other bad choices celebrities have made. Often people glamorize these bad choices or don't see them as a big deal. Perhaps they seem like a small price to pay in exchange for the positive aspects. Other possible negative effects include violence, interactions with criminals and even glamorization of eating disorders.
  
  

Who are role models?

• Role models do not have to be movie stars or other celebrities. Athletes who work hard and strive for success can be role models. Your employer or a colleague at work can be a role model. Parents should strive to be positive role models for their children. Other family members can also be role models. Basically anyone whose behavior, attitude or success you wish to emulate can be a role model.
  
  

Who needs role models?

• Typically, most people think of young children who are in need of direction or guidance when they think of someone who follows a role model. However, adults and teens can also benefit from role models. Students can look to more advanced students, graduates or even faculty for a mentor. A mentor is like a role model because you want to be like him or her, but a mentor can also provide valuable advice about the keys to success. No matter where you are in your life, you can benefit from developing a relationship with a role model.