The Problem with Current Tween Role Models

Knowing who your tween’s role models are can help you to monitor the influence they have on your tween. Many tweens are influenced negatively because they idolize people who are not good role models. The following is a look at the popular tween role models.

The majority of tween role models are pop stars, and professional athletes and actors. They are typically people who are in the public eye, and who have good sized bank accounts. These two factors are what make them so popular. So, it is important to help your tween know that money and fame are not what make someone a good role model.

The difference between tween role models for male tweens and female tweens is not as big as many think. In fact, the biggest difference is that many parents do not recognize that their tween boys have role models, whereas the tween girl’s role models tend to influence their dress and their actions in a more visible way.

For tween girls, the top role models include pop stars like Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears, as well as the actresses on The Disney Channel. Miley Cyrus is considered one of the worst celebrity role models for tweens because of the negative influence she has. Miley often wears provocative attire, and does provocative things during her shows and photo shoots. Britney is about the same. Miley is too sexualized for her age, and Britney has been in the public eye because of her hazardous health choices, messy relationships, and because she is a sexual icon. Is that the role model you want your tween girl to have? Tween role models for girls typically influence the way a girl dresses, and how she thinks of herself sexually.

For tween boys, the top role models seem to be sport figures. For example, they may idolize a sport star that is a professional player. Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, and the like are all examples of men who are role models for tween boys. Of course, for tween boys, the influence the role model will have is often more of an attitude than anything else. Stars like Tiger Woods are poor choices for a tween boy because his personal moral values are questionable. Of course, they may be someone to look up for in their dedication to their sport, etc. So, talk to your tween boy about what they should look up to in a role model, and what they should not try to idolize.

It is important to talk to your tween about who they choose as a role model, and make sure they are not idolizing the worst of the bunch. Help them choose suitable role models that you wouldn’t be frustrated by if they imitated. Of course, you can’t control it, but your input probably matters, so start giving it.