The Influence and Importance of Role Models in The Lives of People

Having a positive role model is important for people psychologically, as they help guide through life during development, making important and difficult decisions throughout life, and finding purpose in life. Role models become inspiration for choices and goals that people set in life. Even some of the most influential people need or have had a positive role model in their life.

One of the most influential people that one can have in their life is a teacher. Teachers become who they are by allowing other, more experienced teachers to influence and guide them. According to Ken Haycock, author of "Positive Role Models and Leadership,” “Pre-service teachers' views of information literacy instruction are formed through exposure to instruction, relationships with faculty, experience, and their own performance and attitude.” The way a person behaves and preforms is directly in sync with how they are taught. In order for a teacher to guide students on the correct path, they must also receive guidance form someone such as a role model.

Joseph Hoedel is an author who wrote the book, ROLE MODELS: Examples of Character & Leadership. This book is comprised of several revered people who have made great contributions to society while sill remaining humble and true to themselves. The people that Hoedel chose to write about are also great role models. They exhibit character traits of great leaders that should be implemented in everyone's life.

One role model that Hoedel mentions in his book is Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was famous for leading the Civil Rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s in the United States. Hoedel feels that King is a positive role model because he possesses character traits such as self-control. Some examples of Martin Luther King Jr. Demonstrating this trait is when he was on a public bus and the bus driver told him to move form his seat. The driver felt as if King wasn't moving fast enough and began cursing at him(Hoedel 92). While most people wprld respond to this type of treatment but curking back or even with violence, Martin Luther King Jr. Kept his composer and didn't respond in a negaitve way. Another example of King's self control is when he was arrested and his house was bombed with his wife and kids inside. Although everyone made it out alive, King had to keep his composer (Hoedel 96). A situation as sever as this may set anyone off, but King knew that ascing in a negative manner would ultimatelty lead him into trouble so he controled his anger. People like King are deffinietly role models that everyone should look to for insiration and guidence. Like King, self-control can help you do great things.