The most common rationale (26%) was the personality traits of that person (e.g., caring about others, being loving and polite, being courageous, and being fun were some of the characteristics mentioned most often). Respondents described a wide range of reasons why they named a particular role model. The writers who captured the imagination of teens included Yumi Tamura (Japanese Manga artist) and Alan Moore (English comic book writer). Social and business leaders garnering teen attention included Walt Disney, Bill Gates, and Martin Luther King, Jr. In the spiritual domain, besides Jesus, teens were most likely to admire Mahatma Gandhi and the Pope. The only athletes who earned multiple mentions were LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Michael Phelps, Mike Tyson and David Wright. Other “celebrities” mentioned by multiple teenagers in the study included entertainers Tyra Banks, Rob Dyrdrek, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. The high-profile leaders most commonly named were President Obama (3%) and Jesus Christ (3%). Notice that a majority of teens indicated that the people they most admire and imitate are those with whom they maintain a personal connection, friendship, or interaction.īeyond the realm of the people they know personally, entertainers (including musicians and actors) were named by 6% of teens, followed by sports heroes (5%), political leaders (4%), faith leaders (4%), business leaders (1%), authors (1%), science and medical professionals (1%), other artists (1%), and members of the military (1%). This is typically a grandparent, but also includes sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, and uncles.Īfter “family,” teens mention teachers and coaches (11%), friends (9%), and pastors or other religious leaders they know personally (6%). The most commonly mentioned role model is a relative-37% of teens named a relation other than their parent as the person they admire most. So who do teenagers name as their role models? Even while limiting the answers to non-parents, family members still comes out on top. Previous research shows that mentioning parents is almost an automatic response for many.) (David Kinnaman, who directed the study, explained that parents were left out of the assessment because so many teenagers-particularly younger ones-have high regard for their parents or feel compelled to list their parents as role models. A follow-up question probed the reasons they define that person as a role model. The nationwide sample of teenagers asked 13- to 17-year-olds to identify the person whom they admire most today as a role model, other than their parents. The people teenagers look up to as their role models matter a great deal in determining the shape and substance of the next generation of churchgoers, consumers and citizens. A study conducted by Barna Group among a national sample of teenagers gives new insight into whom teens select as their role models and why those individuals captured their attention. Teenagers’ preferences and tastes greatly influence America’s cultural identity.
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