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How many of us as young children have found ourselves chanting the line “I want to be just like…when I grow up…” over and over again to our friends and family in our footie pajamas?
Even as adults, we still have that one person we put on a pedestal.
Role models are people who know who they are and are not afraid to be themselves. They encourage and inspire people who need a good example of the paths they decide to take in life. Role models can be anyone positive or negative in your life.
During my teenybopper days, my role model was Britney Spears. She had it all — beauty, fame and fortune. I used to leave the house in pigtails every day after the “Hit Me Baby One More Time” video came out.
I wanted to look and be exactly like her, because I thought she was perfect.
Growing up, I slowly began to realize that role models are not always perfect. They do not need to have the perfect body or the latest trends, and they certainly do not have to have fame or glory.
It is what they brought to the table that made them role models to begin with.
My role models at the moment are Salma Hayek and America Ferrera.
I have enjoyed watching their shows and films for a couple years now. I love the fact that they are not the stereotypical thin, over-the-top Hollywood starlets we are so accustomed to.
They seem like the kind of women I would talk to every day. Unlike other successful actresses, both women still remain grounded and have not let their fame get in the way of being who they are.
Tiger Woods, one of the most successful golfers of our time, was the ideal role model.
He had won countless championships and achieved three Grand Slam wins. Woods also had a picturesque family life.
There was not a man alive who did not want be in his golf shoes.
But all of sudden, he lost all his endorsement deals because of his indiscretions. He is no longer considered the “wholesome family man.”
The public seems to have forgotten all about his accomplishments and are focused more on the mistakes he has made.
He may have failed in his personal life, but professionally Woods is still a success.
Society is still stuck on the “cookie-cutter” image of what a role should be. It is almost as if they are pressuring them to be perfect all the time. If a role model makes a mistake, it is blasphemy.
The Canadian women’s hockey team, which won the Olympic gold medal last week, was scrutinized for its questionable behavior on the ice during its victory celebration. The players were caught drinking champagne and smoking cigars.
One of the players, Marie-Philip Poulin, was not old enough to legally drink in British Columbia, where the drinking age is 19. The team regrets that its gold medal celebration may have caused the international and Canadian Olympic committees any embarrassment and apologized for it.
A lot of people were appalled by their behavior, especially the Olympic community. It felt that their behavior was racy and un-lady-like. I would not condone their behavior, but I would not consider them bad role models.
After the story broke out, people paid more attention to their partying habits than their victory.
Despite their bad judgment, I still consider those on the Canadian women’s hockey team great role models for young girls.
These young women worked so hard to get to where they are at and to have them being brought down like this is just disappointing.
It is really up to an individual to decide what path he or she should take.
We do not necessarily have to follow in our role model’s footsteps. They are simply there to motivate and guide us.
Lissette Alvarez is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact her at lalvarez.advocate@gmail.com
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