I complain alot about how teenagers idolize the likes of Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and the rap star of the moment, but a recent survey of American Kids from age 12 to 17 chose Steve Jobs as the person they most idolize.
Now, I must qualify that statement by pointing out that teen stars and rap artists were not on the list that they chose from. They were asked to choose a person from the list of Oprah Winfrey, Tony Hawk, Mark Zuckerberg, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs was the idol of choice because it was clear that he had truly done something to change the world for the better. After all, where would we be without the internet. We would still have to mail out all of our bills or run all over town taking care of obligations. We would be tied to the television if we wanted to see our favorite shows. The telephone companies would still hold us hostage with high rates for lack of email. Yes, Steve Jobs did good, and teens actually recognize it.
There is hope for them yet.
Maybe we don’t give them enough credit.
Let’s face it, teenagers are in the active stage of “growing up”. Some are more of a finished product than others, but at the end of the day, they are on their way to adult hood. If we as parents do our job well, it won’t be long before the posters of teeny-boppers (as my dad called it) comes off their walls and they start reading biographies by the likes of Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, or Mark Zuckerberg (facebook co-founder). These kids know what success looks like and they are very interested in duplicating it.
As a parent, it is my goal to expose them to more and more stories and biographies of those who have succeeded to show the kids the whole story. Who the person is, where they came from, and what they had to overcome. By taking these steps, kids will be less likely to idolize and more likely to make a plan and follow it.
~If you liked this you should also read my other posts at the home blog, the homeschooling blog, the parents blog, and the frugal blog. You can read my recent posts here.
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