A Positive Role Model In The Other Wes Moore

In a person’s life, one must overcome obstacles that have the potential to either negatively or positively impact their future. Whether it is a serious obstacle, such as being involved with drugs, or a minor obstacle, such as procrastinating an important essay for the night before it is due, the choices people make can influence the way they live their lives. In Wes Moore’s inspiring non-fiction book, The Other Wes Moore, two boys with the same name start off living a few blocks away from one another, but turn out to be completely different individuals. At first, they were both troublemakers, getting in trouble with the law. However, as time progressed, the author, Wes Moore, became a Rhodes scholar and quite successful, while the other Wes Moore was sentenced to life in prison. The difference between these two men was the surrounding influences that shaped their growth as people. In a person’s growth, the most important factors are a positive role model in a positive environment because a positive role model will provide the path to success and will aid that person in achieving prosperity.
Both Wes Moores were definitely not raised in such an environment. In The Other Wes Moore, both boys grow up in the ghettos of Baltimore with the lack of a paternal presence. The responsibilities of a father are to provide a good example for his sons and raise them to become gentlemen. Fathers are usually the source of this positive role model because most children view their fathers as their heroes. A father is supposed to teach his children how to properly live, and show them right from wrong. Because the main characters are both fatherless, they have to find other “role models” to look up to. These other “role models” could possibly have ...

... middle of paper ...

... presidential campaign.
As the reader can distinguish throughout the book, both men went in completely different paths after starting in the same position. The difference between both of their stories is the author’s positive role model and the other effects of the military academy. It does not have to specifically be the military academy to shape someone to be successful, but discipline and a father-like figure can make the difference. My father is fortunately in my life, and has shaped me into the person I am today. He has taught me numerous lessons that have gotten me to this point in my life. I am privileged enough to also have close successful cousins who often give me advice on how to become as successful as they are. With the help of a positive role model and a positive environment, the ability to become a good person, as well as successful can be obtained.