The Hidden Flaws Of Role Models

As kids, we always have that one person we look up to: Our role model. Whether it's a movie star, politician, or simply a family relative; we always have that one person we can look up to for that extra boost of hope or advice we need to keep going.

Role Model (n)
   ~a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people.

Role models can be our "go-to" with every issue in our daily lives. A teenager looks up to any model for their early-morning fashion crisis's; a college athlete may take his free time to study the videos of his favorite quarterback; and I listen to my favorite music artists every day to block-out all of the bad instances in life. But what if these idols of ours aren't all they're cut-out to be? Sometimes we are so desperate to follow someone else that we lose sight of what is going-on inside of our media-enveloped world. Just because she wears the best clothes, he throw with perfect dynamics, or they sing at perfect pitch, does not mean that they are flawless beings. Often, these role models can be quite egotistical themselves, which draws in their admirers even more.

Let's start off with a very common form of these "big-headed" deities of ours. How about Chris Brown for example? Everyone looked up at this Pop legend for quite some times till he committed his career-suicide act of heresy. Chris Brown was discovered at an early age of 13 years-old in his dad's gas station. He was believed to have great talent, and this young star quickly gave hope to millions of teenagers. About seven years later, Chris was heard of beating up his girlfriend: Rihanna (who was also a successful pop icon). His fans were heartbroken. How could such an inspiring young-adult turn into such a savage person after all that he's accomplished. Many Chris Brown fanatics are still in doubt--believing that he is/was too good of a person to do such a thing.

We, as fans, are easily abetted into believing we have connections to our role models. We may feel that our heroes understand us and care for us. In most cases, we look up to those who are out of reach, and therefore, they are unable to make real-world connections with us. I have a close friend who is a fan of Chris Brown, and still doesn't believe the evidence they have shown towards Chris Brown's beating Rihanna. He claims that "Chris just wasn't himself that day". He will never admit to the harsh truths of Chris's gauche actions because he believes they have a connection. But in actuality, my friend has an obsession. Humans commonly obsess in the seeming-perfect aspects in our lives, which makes us defy the truths on occasion.

In Lord of the Flies, the young boys stranded onto a lonely island are forced to coexist with each other's inabilities and talents. Although, they constantly refer to the adults whenever it is time to make an important decision. But what they don't realize are the adults they look up to so much are actually not the best role models. In these children's years, there was a horrific war--known as World War II--which caused adults to act-out in the most savage of ways.

"Call the role in your memory of conspicuously successful business giants and... you will be struck by the fact that almost every one of them encountered inordinate difficulties sufficient to crush all but the gamest of spirits. Edison went hungry many times before he became famous."

-B.C. Forbes-