All about youth

“I love to stick huge posters of Kareena kapoor in my room." "My room is full of posters/pictures of my favourite hero Shahrukh Khan." These are few of the common role models.
Toddle into your youngster’s room and you're likely to come across posters of teen idols or actor-actresses wearing too much of makeup and little clothing. You may spot an item of your teen's clothing lying around and you’ll then wonder, “How did I ever let my kid purchase such a thing?" Yes. We are talking about ‘Role models’. A role model is someone who inspires you, whose behaviour you want to emulate. They can be a wonderful source of support, particularly for those working on their own.
Yet with the television and media exposure and peer pressure that teens are faced with, it's no wonder that they dress, act, and look the way they do. “Children choose models for themselves as early as the preschool years,” says Dr. Maya, a clinical psychologist.” “The type of models changes with the developmental level of the child.” She adds.

Several teens choose models for themselves who they see as having exacting characteristics that they the teens are lacking or they have the most. For example, a teen who perceives herself as unattractive may choose a supermodel as a role model. Or, if a guy’s skin colour is little dark looks very likely to Ajay Devgan, he’ll choose the same personality as a role model. This is me writing about this topic because i myself was confused about MODELS. I never knew whom to make my idol and them i spake to few of my friends.


Whatever the way of thinking may be for a youngster choosing a particular role model, parents may be faced with a rising fight if they don't like what they see. “Television and media make it really hard to parent,” says Vaani Rao, mother of two youngsters. “I wonder, how these kids choose such personalities as we were opt to choose models like some freedom fighters, educationalists etc. I want certain standards in my family, and pressure from TV and peer pressure work against me sometimes. I try to draw the line at some point when I vehemently disagree with a mode of dress or behavior," she says. “Yet at the same time I try to compromise so that my kids don't stand out too much. In fact, time has changed, why shouldn’t they? She adds.”
On the other hand, Shyam says, “My son seems to go with what's trendy. Wearing ragged jeans, short and skin fitted shirts, shabby boots etc. I know I can’t win every battle. I just try to figure out what I can and can't compromise on and I try to stick to those decisions.”
If a youngster has emotional or psychological security as well as open lines of communication with parents, the actual influence is negligible. People can take the foundation they gave them early on and reinforce it by watching with them and discussing what they watch. Also in this way, parents can guide their youngsters and bring them in the right path. Even you young people can prefer the same process to follow a good lifestyle.
Youth today have an impossible standard of 'look great, be cool, act cool now and at any expense. Today's teens need to hear from each other that it's OKAY to look great, be cool and act cool, but the standards for it, and the time table in which it must be done, is not at the expense of mental or physical well-being.
When faced with these difficult situations, parents don't always have all the answers. Parents need to confront the fact that they are overwhelmed with the dangers that teens face so that they don't remain in the dark as to what is going on. Using books where teenagers are the positive role models is a good way to reach teens and provide them with positive models they can identify with.
While teenagers often choose role models because they truly want to be like those they’ve chosen, sometimes role models are selected as a means of defiance. “I know I can’t exactly be popular as Aamir Khan is, but I can try to look like him and create few ideas like he does, says Vijendra; an engineering student. While on the other hand, Piyush says, I admire Akshay Kumar for his stunts and I too can perform some of his stunts but my mumma often scolds me for that. “I think being beautiful is not everything. Being smart and active like Kiran Bedi is called to be ‘perfect’ says Aakansha Parihar. Here is the good example of a role model. Beauty lies in your activities, your performance. Not in your face or personality.
No one can deny that you are teenagers and people won't agree on everything. Right now parents must be satisfied knowing that though they may look to a movie star for modes of dress, they'll also look to an Olympic athlete and learn perseverance and satisfaction from a job well done.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a role model. Begin by reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses. To keep it simple, begin by choosing just one key quality to work on. Select an area you don’t feel is naturally a strength. It might be feeling confident in a social setting or having the ability to remain calm in a stressful situation.
Perplexed how should be your role model? Here are my views and comments about how one should choose an idol.
Choose someone who is confident- A good role model would be someone who knows who they are. You don't want someone who is down and who will bring you down. You want someone who won't pretend to be someone they are not, and won't be fake just to suit other people.
Look for someone who is living life the way you can- If you want to be a famous author, your role model could be someone who has been successful at writing, singing, dancing, studies or in any field. If you have always wanted to be a nurse, your role model could be someone at your local hospital who is dedicated to their job and someone who you look up to for their achievements.
Choose someone who doesn't always take credit for what they have done- Like a teacher or nurse. They never tend to be very auspicious but they really are.
Select the one, who may have done something you find admirable. Such as saved lot of lives, helped so many people, raised money for charity, you often don't recognise your true role models until you have noticed your own personal growth and progress.
Keep in mind that having a role model does not mean you become exactly like that person; remember to retain your individuality. Imitate them, but put your own individuality into the things they do.
A role model should be someone who you want to be like, and someone you admire. Even you can be your own role model. This means to do the things that you would admire someone else for doing.
Your role model doesn't have to be a real person, or someone who is alive. Maybe you consider Swami Vivekananda to be your role model, or a character from your favourite book. That's okay, but put up with in mind that instead of being able to directly ask your role model for help, then you'll have to think, “What would he/she do in your position?” You’ll be lucrative if you’ll always accept others ideas. Not in selecting a role model, but in choosing some good characteristics in your role model.