Sunday, November 20, 2005

Thanks for your response!


I appreciate everyone who responded to this post. First I believe that parents are their childs' first teacher, role model and trainer. In today's society our children are becoming parentless due to drugs, society ills such as domestic violence, murder and abandonment. Many of our children are being raised by their grandmothers, the streets, and foster care. With the exception of grand parents, the streets and foster care system teaches our children hard lessons. So our children should have an alternative. Being without a parent and learning those basic life lessons, I think is when kids really start looking to others to find themselves or someone that they would like to be.

Public figures such as basketball and football players, political, religious, and entertainers are human but have accepted the role as a star. They have the right to make mistakes as each of us does. They do not have to respond or adhere to anyone but themselves, their families and God.

However, as a person who works with teens on a regular basis and with those who are so easily influenced, I'm asking us to is to reminisce about the first person we wanted to be like outside of our house. Then I want you to close your eyes and visualize yourself as a small child, without the love of a parent who meets their teacher who is caring and loving, do you see it? What do you think now? Most kids would say I want to be just like my teacher or someone else who impacted their life in a positive way. Do we have to be role models?....No we don't. Should we? I think so. Morally yes because I do belief that we have the responsibility to help raise our children so that they can obtain the American dream or something close to it.

11 comments:

crallspace said...

Growing up, i had a number of role models, but they ALL let me down somehow. I learned very young that people are sh*t.

Nowadays, I try to take people in fractions, when looking up to them, otherwise I am disappointed.

Meadow said...

I absolutely believe in raising the global consciousness. And when we do, we will all behave more responsibly.

Thanks for the discussion, beloved.

brooklyn babe said...

I don't know if we as humans every stop being "impressionable" by people, whether it be a pretty class mate, some one with toy or object of a child's desire, a good athelete, as we grow older we may become fond of teachers, or ppl on TV; and even as adults many are impressed by successful ppl.

My role models in early adolescent years were simple. Anyone taller than me ;-)

MZPEACH said...

I see so many young men in my neighborhood walking around twisting there locks (literally walking around with there hands in there heads), standing on the corner trying to sale drugs. It upsets me because all of them want to be drug dealers like it is something great and grand to do. I know it is because of the rap that glorifies selling drugs and what not. Now that I am older, I have started questioning why I listen to music like that.

Dr. Deb said...

I have had meaningful people help me along the way, and I hope that it can be said I've done the same. Mentoring, teaching or encouraging a young person is such a gift all ways around.

Hope you and yours have a great Thanksgiving.

~Deb

Deb said...

Role models. The only role model was my oldest sister. Now I see her struggling years later, and it's hard for me to even fathom that.

What is a role model? Do we need one? Is it important?

We all need to learn that each and everyone of us are all "human", with imperfections that make us unique.

We all make mistakes, and we all are forgiven---in "God's eyes"---and in also (my beliefs)...

I think the concept of role models puts an awful lot of pressure on us adults; leaving us to feel like failures sometimes.

S A J Shirazi said...

I am the result of what my parents have taught me. Nice post.

MZPEACH said...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ROSE

lightfeather said...

What a wonderful post!

Blessings to you,
Lightfeather

Dr. Deb said...

Wanted to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

~Deb

BostonPobble said...

AMEN! And thank you. Hope you had a great holiday.