Today in class we discussed the idea presented to the class from a previous nights homework assignment. The idea was that "one can't be a good person, without having a good role model."
This idea sparked quite the conversation. I agree fully with this statement for the following reasons.
First, human beings are creatures of habit. They are constantly learning and growing as people and from their individual mistakes and efforts. Human's are not born knowing what is right and what is wrong, or what is even considered to be the right and wrong way of going about things. They must learn how to determine these things for themselves. That is where the role model comes into play. The role model can set the stage for someone to learn from and grow from. As with the main topic of this course, Abraham Lincoln, role modes are crutial to the growth and development of human beings.Abraham Lincoln openly states that his role model for many different circumstances and positions was Henry Clay. Many of Clays political decisions and mentalities would latter become the frame work for and bases for Lincoln's political decisions.
This leads into my second reason for supporting the above statement. Sometimes role models do not have to be a physical person in someones life to influence them or help them in any way shape or form. Abraham Lincoln didn't meet Henry Clay until much latter in his political career and life. Not having that physical confrontation did not hinder or even reduce the role of Lincoln's role model in his life. Learning from things that he read about Clay and allowing it to influence his every day life and mentality helped to shape him into the politician and eventual President we have all come to be familiar with.
A final note on this topic that I will discuss is the difference between a role model and a hero. Some would consider Henry Clays role in Abraham Lincoln's to be more the role of a hero instead of a role model. Heroes can be seen in sense of people that others strive to mimic or even become. They admire the work that they have done and would like to do something similar or even seen in the same light as the them. However, wouldn't one consider that to be the role of a role model as well? That is what my question is for you fellow bloggers... what is the exact concrete definition of the difference between a role model and hero?
Hey Brycen!
ReplyDeleteInteresting question. I think the main difference between a hero and a role can be broken down a bit. First off what exactly is a hero (according to dictionary.com)
Hero: a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
Then of course we must define role model on the same scale
Role Model:a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people.
It is fair to say that many qualities are shared by both the hero and the role model, however I would posit the main difference to be the level of emulation capability.
Role Models are often mentors, parents, peers, public figures, etc. possessing qualities which one aims to mimic for the purpose of enduring a higher quality life. Perhaps a neighbor of yours helps his grandmother to the store everyday, plants a nice vegetable garden and always has time to play with his kids. This guy looks great on paper on has a lot of great qualities (well a few at least) that are easy enough with effort to emulate and use as a day-to-day schema for a great life!
Hero's on the other hand can also be mentors, parents, peers, but tend to be figures of perhaps lesser proximity; think about politicians, athletes, musicians, etc. The actions of a hero tend to be more, well, heroic in nature ( to avoid criticism of my argument I mean to say their actions are on a scale of greater grandeur). Suppose you heard about a man who swam three miles in frigid Arctic water to save a little girls cat who had fallen through a small whole in the ice. Granted this example is a bit of a hyperbole, but these actions are shocking; larger than life even and while you may regard and respect this person as a hero, you probably couldn't imagine living like that day-to-day or even once in a lifetime. Hero's actions when compared to a role model's are differentiated by a level of "epicness."
Hey Brycen,
ReplyDeleteI think that the definition of the difference between a hero and a role model is how they are viewed by individuals. A role model is seen as someone who PUBLICLY displays the qualities to succeed in life. A hero is seen as a brave, head strong individual who believes in the cause they fight for and are willing to die for. These of course are conventional explanations. As is said in on of our class meetings, people have their own individual feelings and criteria that a well known person must fit for them to be even considered a role model. A hero must do certain things and be a certain way for others to consider them a hero. For example, Nicki Minaj is a hero for females who one day hope to become successful in the male dominated rap 'game'. I personally respect and commend her for her success. On the other hand, if i had a daughter, I wouldn't want her to view Nicki Minaj as a role model per say. The behavior she portrays in her art are not in my opinion proper or appropriate for a young girl to mirror. People like Maya Angelou, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, or Michelle Obama are my idea of the kinds of role models I would want for my daughter. I hope this helps.
i would say the difference between a role model and a hero would be a matter of interpersonal experience. What i mean is that a hero can be a national, cultural, or historical figure that an individual can access information about and then decide to model behavior or ideology after that person. A role model to me is more of someone you see everyday or more commonly in everday activities such as a student/teacher, athlete/coach, or student/tutor relationships. I think that a role model has hands on access to the person who chooses to be like them, whereas a hero is typically for one reason or another distanced from those they influence.
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