Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
The role of family in youth development
Media influence on the youth
An essay about the influence media has on young people
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: The role of family in youth development
Although our children idolize media and sports figures today, and may classify them as heroes, it is truly the parents, family members, teachers, friends, and other adult influences that are the true heroes in the lives of children. Adults need to realize the impact they have on the lives, and minds, and behaviors of their children, and start giving them positivity, and admirable qualities, and actions to reflect.
Whether or not adults can see it, they are the major influences in the lives of children. Although children do look up to media and sports figures, it is those that have direct interaction, and time spent with those they love and look up to on a daily basis that they truly learn from and mold themselves around based on the adult influences in their lives. That being said this makes parents, and family members the true heroes in their lives. Parents want their children to develop family values, and to be kind, caring and courteous, which are not always attributes that the media, and sports figures possess, (Holub, Tisak, & Mullins, 2008) Many studies have been developed to determine who children tend to idolize most, and describe as their heroes, and most children associate the word hero with someone they know personally, and not someone in the media. Anderson, and Cavallaro state, "70 percent of the African American and 64 percent of the White children chose people they knew as heroes. In contrast, only 35 percent of the Asian American kids and 49 percent of the Latino kids named people they knew." (2002) These numbers are huge, and show that adults are truly major influences in who children view as heroes. As a society, everyone needs to realize the impact that is made by the choices that are...
... middle of paper ...
... Kristin J.; Cavallaro, Donna (2002). Parents or pop culture? Children’s heroes and role models. Childhood Education, v78 n3 p161-68. (EJ650989), Database: ERIC
Graebner, William (2013). The man in the water: The politics of the American hero, 1970-1985. Historian. Fall2013, Vol. 75 Issue 3, p517-543. 27p. DOI: 10.1111/hisn.12015.
Holub, Shayla; Tisak, Maria; Mullins, David. Gender difference in children’s hero attributions: Personal hero choices and evaluations of typical male and female heroes. Sex Roles, Apr2008, Vol. 58 Issue 7/8, p567-578, 12p, 3 Charts, 4 Graphs. Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media B.V.
Oshea, Sarah, Stone, Kathy. The hero's journey: Stories of women returning to education. International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, Mar2014, Vol. 5 Issue 1, p79-91, 13p. Publisher: Queensland University of Technology.
Through reading about these heroes, kids believe that there are good things that happen to good people. These heroes encourage many kids when they’re young, and provide them with right and wrong. For example, many fairy tales and comic stories show kids the kinds of behaviors that need in order to succeed in life, to improve society, and to overcome hard times. They become their example of healthy adult role models who through hard times and many contractions they were able to react positively and overcome hard times. Heroes prove to them that no matter how much suffering and hardships in the world, there are good people, who always do the right thing and provide us with hope in hard times. Heroes do provide courage for us to overcome emotionally, physically, or spiritually
Chafe, William H. The Unfinished Journey: America Since World War II. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
The problem with children copying role models is that many young boys, for numerous reasons are left without sound, solid male role models who can show them how good men can be (Robinson 2011). This however is not always the case, although there are some boys who do lack models in the home they can take role models from men they see in the media, ch...
Heroes and role models can inspire people to accomplish and achieve meaningful goals that may not just benefit themselves, but other people as well. A hero, by touching the hearts of some people, can inflict change on a whole society and even the world. For example, right before World War Two in the 1936 Olympic Games, Hitler wanted to prove that his Aryan race was superior by winning all events. However, a black man named Jesse Owens won four gold medals, winning the most gold medals over any other athlete. He showed to Hitler and the whole world that Aryans were not superior and embarrassed Hitler in his own country. This caused all of Germany to question Hitler’s word and gave people in the United States and all of Europe hope against Hitler. This hope channeled into bravery in war and exerts believed to have played a major role in the war by crippling the Nazi’s confidence and inspiring all of the allied powers. Even though Jesse Owens was successful during the Olympic Games, what he is remembered for was starting a movement and showing up Hitler. While the medals are small and just physical things, what they meant to the world was crucial. Jesse Owens became a role model and hero for people to look up to so that when they had their own battle against the
Having a celebrity role model as a child can be good and bad. “As a parent, it is important ...
Heroism demands self-sacrifice, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-respect. Ulysses S. Grant had these qualities in their most complete form. He set out from humble beginnings, and failed. At the age of 38 was a conspicuous failure. Then, like few of us, he succeeded beyond belief. Had he not had tremendous greatness within him, he could never have accomplished what he did. How did such a simple, honest and humble man raise himself in the eyes of his people and the world to the highest position a man or woman can reach - that of a national hero?
Recently, students of Olympian High School have stumbled upon the question, "What is a hero?" In the school's 2013 Young Minds Essay Contest, students are expected to consider universal concerns and ideas. Many times when people think of a hero, they think of Superman, Batman, and many other Marvel characters who display unattainable superpowers. However, heroes are prevalent throughout the world. A hero can be anyone who has the desire to help others, brave in dangerous situations, and does not look at exterior gain from helping others.
Stalter, Anthony. "Parents Should Not Rely on Athletes as Role Models." Are Athletes Good Role Models? Ed. Geoff Griffin. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. At Issue. Rpt. from "Barkley Had It Right All Along." Bullz-Eye. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.
The story of a sea rescue is portrayed as “heroic” and “an outstanding contribution to search and rescue” (Margaret, Linley). While off duty, a local officer assisted a boy back to shore after having been caught in a rip tide. His actions were valiant, as were the boy’s father, who died while trying to save his son.
There is an ever growing dispute in society where some people view others as heroes either when they physically put themselves in danger to defend a cause or to safeguard others, or when they say what they are thinking out loud when others are not brave enough to do so. The recognition of a hero should go to those who are able to stand up for others against the oppressors or conflicts in society by voicing their opinion and by stating the opinions of the people who do not have the courage to do so. However, some may believe that heroes are those who seek danger to protect others or a cause, an example being a firefighter or cop who goes into work every day to protect the people in society, even though they know their lives are in stake. The articles, "Inspired by a hero: What Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life means to me" by La Prensa, "Profiles in Greatness - Gandhi" by Success, and "Nelson Mandela, hero to the world" by New Pittsburgh Courier, support the claim that heroes are those who are the voice for the voiceless. There has been many people in history who have put their lives at stake due to their courage to stand up for others, an example being Martin Luther King, Jr.
In today's superficial society, there are many stereotypes and groups into which people are categorized. There are also many people that are celebrities, who many ordinary citizens see as leaders in life. Many high-end sports figures such as Michael Jordan or Ray Lewis are seen as heroes and idols to many youths in America and around the globe. However, what they do is not really heroic; rather it is merely grown men playing a game. After the tragic events or September 11th, another type of hero, a true hero, has come to be heralded in America. The courageous men in this group are called firefighters, and protect citizens twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They sacrifice their lives for anyone, no matter what danger to their own being. They have not been appreciated the way they deserve to be for one reason, a term called hero worship in society.
There are numerous heroes among us and for the most part those heroes are usually unknown to the world. These heroes just go about their day like everyone else except with one difference, they would put their lives on hold so they could help the less fortunate any way they can. Sacrifices must be made and most of the times these heroic acts go unrecognized and unheralded. Nevertheless, many of these heroes do not care and are not in it for the praise, in fact most of the time all they want to do is just help because they can. A good example of this is a woman who is one of the most beautiful women in the world. She has all the fame and fortune a person can dream of but instead of doing what most famous people do, she spends her free time in foreign countries helping to make refuges have a better life. This woman does not do the things she does, for praise and fame but instead, just wants to help out of the goodness in her heart. Even though she does not do what she does to get praise, people praise her anyways. She is one of the most influential figures in today’s society. Well-known humanitarian, Goodwill Ambassador, actress and devoted mother, Angelina Jolie stands out as a modern day hero.
Graebner, W. (2013). 'The Man in the Water': The Politics of the American Hero, 1970-
When celebrities make the choice to become famous, they take on a big job of becoming a role model. Most children across America believe and rely on athletes to be their good examples. Ian Mendes states that, “Athletes may have money, fame
In today’s society, it is hard to know someone who another person can look up to as a hero. It takes a special quality and person for others to know they can look up to and follow without worrying about being lead astray. The modern day hero I have chosen is someone who not only is willing to lay his life down for another, but also is willing to fight for everyone’s freedom.