Published July 01, 2009 08:32 am - July 1, 2009
Girls often live what they learn
In today’s society, many girls need positive role models.
By TRAVINA COLEMAN
Press Staff Writer
If you have a daughter chances are you already know who Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, and Lindsey Lohan are.
And it probably concerns you a little when you see their antics publicized and accepted by the general public.
If their “role models” are behaving in such a way, you might be wondering how long before your daughter may see this as OK.
Michelle Parnell, youth services coordinator for the Tahlequah Public Library said there is always a need for strong role models.
“It’s important to have them,” she said. “They see us every day doing what we are supposed to be doing and it gives them the opportunity to grow.”
Parnell said being a great citizen is really important.
“You can help in the simple ways, like helping a mom struggling with children by opening the door. You can do it by smiling at someone. Even being out in the public every day, knowing they (children) are watching me every day.
She said what they see and what they perceive is a person larger than life sometimes and they want to follow what you do.
“I can’t go to Walmart without someone saying hey I know you,” she said. “I was getting ice one day and I had another kid come up to me and just talk. Imagine how they would feel if I was doing something inappropriate — and how devastating that would be. It is so important when you are in the public eye to do behave in a way that is befitting your position.”
Anytime in your in the public eye from superstars to an every day ay, kids are watching you, everything you do and say.
In a survey conducted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers in England found that inappropriate pop stars and celebrities topped the list of role models for adolescents.
“Sadly, far too many adolescent and teenage girls in the U.S. have lost the confidence and self-esteem they possessed in grade school,” said Barry Hoffman, author, former grade school teacher of 30 years and father of three. “They are exposed to characters in contemporary literature and media who play second fiddle to male leads or are portrayed as weak and submissive, following teenage boys as if they don’t have a mind of their own.”
Popular book and film franchises such as the current hit “Twilight,” are hyped as premier young adult entertainment. Some criticize the hit series that has reached millions of teens and tweens, as not giving the proper role model, where Bella, gives her mortal soul and life to be with her crush Edward, her teenage vampire boyfriend.
Joyce Rose, business community liaison for Talking Leaves Job Corps, said she thinks children are watching too much TV.