Typical role models include singers, actors, musicians, artists, athletes, comedians, celebrities and other pop culture figures in the media. The media often promotes certain figures heavily in order to increase their popularity, which is usually in conjunction with selling a product. For example a pop culture figure like a singer may not be the most talented, but they are perceived to be the most marketable. As a result they are promoted heavily, and the youth who are taking in this message will now perceive them to be an appropriate role model. A role model is simply someone a person identifies with and aspires to embody their qualities.
Traditional role models were usually limited to the scope of mass media, such as radio, TV, film and print. The emergence of technology and the access to information for youth has made it easier to find non-traditional role models. Dr. Andersen, a child psychologist, suggests this is a positive trend as marginalized youth can now find older figures to identify with. The danger in this lies in that impressionable youth are now exposed to more negative role models as well. For example, a youth who is bullied may find a role model in a person who fought back against bullying by using extreme violence.
Friends and the perceived popularity of a role model play an important role in who a youth will chose as a role model; media coverage of the role model alone is not enough. For example, a youth may strongly identify with a famous ballet dancer as a role model, but if this is not viewed as a cool role model by the youth's friends then they will likely not share their admiration for the role model with others. Instead, they will likely co-opt the accepted role models of the peer group.
The influence of popular culture on role models is both good and bad. This depends solely on the role model and personalities that are promoted in popular culture and not so much on whether the role model is "good" or "bad." Celebrities are not often the best role models for youth as their lifestyle, image and world views can build unrealistic expectations for youth. For example, a celebrity's "party hard" image may be widely known in the media, but if a youth decides this is appropriate behavior they would like to emulate, it probably is not in their best interest.
Parents are bigger role models than they may know. Parents may not be able to select role models for their children, but they can provide context for their child's role models. This context helps the child be aware of the larger picture behind popular culture icons being promoted as role models. The parent can then relate to and discuss with the child why they admire a certain pop culture personality and then provide context if necessary.