Social scientists have shown that much of learning that occurs during childhood is acquired through observation and imitation.įor most children, the most important role models are their parents and caregivers, who have a regular presence in their lives.Īs a parent, it is impossible to not model. Through their perceived personal qualities, behaviors, or achievements, they can inspire others to strive and develop without providing any direct instruction. They are often admired by the people who emulate them. Role models are people who influence others by serving as examples. What We Know About Role Modeling Who are Role Models? This process occurs consciously as well as without awareness on the part of the parent. The kind of emotional environment established in the home and the child-rearing style used by the parents have a mighty influence on a child’s development.Īnother major mechanism through which parents impact their children’s growth toward maturity is by the kind of role models they are. It is the environmental piece that parents have much more control over. And, of course, both of these influences come from a child’s parents. The answer to the age-old question of why children often seem so much like their parents probably is that both nature and nurture play a role in how children develop. But part of the explanation also lies in the impact of the environment in which a child is raised, which is referred to as “nurture.” Part of the explanation for why qualities of parents are often repeated in their offspring is genetic, indicating the power of “nature,” that is, heredity. Multiple generations of the same family enter into the same profession: law enforcement, fire prevention, medicine, law, teaching, etc.Ĭhildren whose parents have healthy self-esteem tend to be more confident and hold themselves in higher regard.Ĭhildren whose parents have succeeded in school tend to meet with academic success themselves and stay in school longer than children whose parents dropped out of school.Ĭhildren of happily married parents tend to find the same satisfaction in their love relationships. On the flip side, children also repeat positive behaviors they see in their parents. If parents abuse alcohol or drugs, their children are more likely to do the same.Ĭhildren raised in homes that experience frequent domestic violence are more likely to either abuse their spouses or be abused by them.Īdults who were abused as children are more likely to abuse their own children. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.Ĭommon sense, simple observation, and psychological research show that these down-home adages reflect a truth in human development – that children often grow up to mimic the behavior, beliefs, and attitudes of their parents.Ĭhildren whose parents smoke are more likely to smoke themselves.
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