InDepth

6 — Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 — North Pointe IN-DEPTH

By Bee Bielak, Bella Yoakam, Ella McCarthy, Christina Shea & Lauren Veitengruber SECTION EDITORS & INTERNS

Since childhood, society has given us role models to look up to and idolize. These people we take inspiration from introduced us to many of our first experiences during the most influential growing period of our lives. However, as we get older we are influenced by others through social media, film and peers at school. Teens idolizing role models that do not fit the stereotypical idea of one has been relevant for many years. Some students may wear clothing displaying one of their role models, whereas adults may get tattoos of famous quotes from their idol. Our role models can influence our appearance and decision making, even swaying our opinions on some controversial topics. Role models can be anyone in your life or in your surrounding environments. The importance of who you choose is critical to your own development as well as your contribution to society.

Has the word “idol” lost its meaning as society grows and changes around it? As media becomes more prominent, can just anyone be a role model to our youth? And if this is the case, how do we ensure our kids stay on a good path following positive leaders?

As the word “idol” is used more loosely without fulfilling meaningful criteria, kids have turned to just about anyone including celebrities and social media influencers for their opinions and overall way of life, even though they may not always be the best or most reliable source. To ensure the upcoming generation is well informed and consists of well rounded individuals, we must encourage the acknowledgment of positive and qualified role models when possible. This begins with identifying who we idolize and why we do so.

Modern society has evolved into a group that idolizes controversial individuals, particularly those who are money-motivated. Special education teacher Sheila Doss expresses that money is an important factor for children and teens when choosing who to look up to.

“I think there are a lot of performers and people in sports who I’m not sure how people find them inspiring other than they make a lot of money,” Doss said.

The individuals that teenagers look up to most is heavily weighted by social media. With so many ways for kids, teenagers and even adults to be exposed to celebrities in the social media business, it is easy to be swayed and influenced by their actions. Junior Jack Bidigare gives insight on how his fellow students idolize celebrities with a large social media presence.

“These celebrities are on social media a lot so they just follow them because they are there,” Bidigare said.

Social media “stars” have become the idols of people of all ages. Currently, they are one of the biggest groups that our society views as role models. Bidigare expresses how media influence works through one star in particular.

“The Rock, for example. He posts a lot,” Bidigare said. “Even if he is not trying to connect the youth, I feel like that is a way you can influence people.”

The popular social media platform, TikTok, is the go-to spot for teenagers to find influencers. With social media catering to the younger generation, teenagers can connect to influencers without actually knowing them. Doss is a mother to teenagers who uses social media platforms, like TikTok, to find these social media stars, and explains that she doesn’t understand the appeal. “My daughter, who is a senior in highschool, idolizes a lot of TikTok people, I’m not sure why she likes them,” Doss said. “I hope she finds them inspirational because they are doing good things.” Counselor Kimberly Deptula expands on how she sees the

media influence the decisions and mindsets of more than one generation in her life. “It tells everyone, like teens and adults, a specific way that we should believe and think,” BELLA YOAKAM

Deptula said. “I think it is single-handedly one of the biggest impacts on why we look up to different people.”

Everyone has a different idea of who should be held above the rest, but who really deserves to be at the top? With the spectrum of role models being so broad, there needs to be a line that indicates what makes someone worthy of being one. Deptula gives her perspective on the qualities that make someone worthy of the title of a role model.

“I think a role model is really someone who isn’t perfect,” Deptula said. “You can see how they learn from their mistakes, how they grow, how their mindset is about moving forward.”

There are everyday heroes and role models at our own schools. Peer 2 Peer is a program that allows students to help others in the school. The members act as role models themselves. By putting themselves out there and reaching out with fellow students, they begin to grow the qualities of a great role model. Senior Peer 2 Peer member Ada Johnson explains what it takes to be idolized. “You should never idolize someone who desires to be selfish in order to succeed, or someone who’s just making bad choices continuously and not learning from their mistakes,” Johnson said. “If you see someone continuously choosing to go down the wrong path, even though they have all the positivity around them, you shouldn’t be idolizing that. It’s just not a good idea.”

School activities can provide exemplary students and athletes with the opportunity to be a role model for their peers. Despite student’s similar ages, they are still able to offer guidance through shared experiences. Bidigare reflects on his older student role models on his football team.

“As a freshman I looked up to some seniors I played football with,” Bidigare said. “Even though they are only two years older than me I really looked up to them.”

Although not all celebrities promote the correct behavior and decisions, with careful research and consideration, some can be deemed worthy of the role model title. Johnson has called actress Viola Davis her idol since middle school due to her resilience and advocacy for those in need.

“She’s a woman of color and I’m a woman of color, so I see those similarities right there. She’s gone through so many struggles. Yet, she continues to just move on and move forward,” Johnson said. “I just love to see someone like her become so powerful. It makes me believe that I could do the exact same thing in life.”

Doss makes a clear point that taking the time to know who you’re really idolizing is important, so that you have the right idea on who you are striving to live like.

“I think you should look at what’s inside that person rather than what’s on the outside,” Doss said.

How do we fix the issue of our youth looking up to just anyone who has some TikTok followers, or a celebrity that they happen to find attractive? Bidigare suggested looking in places other than the media to find these role models.

“[Find them] in school,” Bidigare said. “For example, freshman and sophmores — as a freshman I looked up to some seniors, so I guess in that way you can look up to other students.”

Taking note of the student body around you can be one way to find positive people to look up too. Doss suggests that there is just one criteria someone needs to meet to be a good role model.

“[Just] someone who does the right thing for the right reasons,” Doss said.

The term “idol” is used lightly, however it is a title that needs to be earned. Your idol needs to be someone that you are truly knowledgeable about, has motives that you agree with and makes an impact on something that is important to you or aligns with your beliefs. Idols and role models vary from person to person, how they impact us is different. Deptula explains that when looking up to an individual, it is important to make sure you understand and develop an understanding of who they truly are. She believes that those who learn compassion are who we should strive to look up to.

“I think a key piece is someone who has learned to help their community and help those around them, and through those things is really inspirational,” Deptula said.

Contributing: Alyssa King