Respondents Tell PollingPoint About Their Role Models

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Teens and adults agreed that it is important for teenagers to have role models.

How important is it that teenagers have role models? (adults)

How important is it that teenagers have role models? (teens)

Teens and adults also agreed that Miley Cyrus let down young fans with her controversial photo spread.

Do you think Miley Cyrus let down her young fans by being photographed for Vanity Fair wearing only a bedsheet? (adults)

Do you think Miley Cyrus let down her young fans by being photographed for Vanity Fair wearing only a bedsheet? (teens)

While adults tended to select Condoleeza Rice as a good role model for young girls, teenaged respondents preferred American Idol winner Jordin Sparks.

Which of these people do you think would make a good role model for young girls? (adults)

Which of these people do you think would make a good role model for young girls? (teens)

Across the board, celebrities were seen to have a large influence on teens' behavior.

How much influence do you think the behavior of famous people has on the behavior of teenagers? (adults)

How much influence do you think the behavior of famous people has on the behavior of teenagers? (teens)

We asked teenagers to tell us to describe their greatest role models. Here is a selection of responses.

Who is your greatest role model, and why?

Alicia Keys, because she doesn't use drugs and doesn't expose her body. Plus she is educated, talented, and beautiful.

Ashley Tisdale is my greatest role model, because she doesn't drink, she doens't smoke, and she is down to earth. She is very grateful to her fans and will always put them first.

Friends and family because they are real people. They don't need makeup or personal trainers, and they aren't spoiled like most entertainers. They make a living by using their talents and intellect and not by selling their faces and bodies.

Gandhi, because he fought for what he believed in without using fists and used his mind to fight battles for his people.

J.K. Rowling. She has overcome many obstacles and even after financial success, she still donates much of her time, energy, and money to charities.

John McCain. He is a man of sincerity, integrity, and honesty. I have looked up to him for a long time, and am thrilled that he is now running for president.

The Jonas Brothers, because they have worked so hard, they are so nice, grounded, have great music, and don't take any of it for granted.

Miley Cyrus. I love how her familiy is in the business with her because usually with teen celebrities you never hear about their family.

We also asked adults to talk about their role models growing up.

Who was your greatest role model when you were a teenager, and why?

My father. He spent a lot of time with me, included me in his career, and made sure that I knew the old folks in my family. He was honest, hard working, and showed his children LOTS of love.

6th grade teacher--taught you that respecting oneself could help you succeed as a person in whatever you choose.

A best friend in school. She knew and shared the importance of getting a good education and always had an eye towards the future. She was picky about who she dated and who she hung around with knowing we are judged by the associations we keep.

A friend of my mother's who was NOT married and owned the 1st edition of Our Bodies Ourselves--How cool is that?

A person I worked under in a teen work program backed by the federal government. She gave me the encouragement I needed to go to college and get out of the projects in the city.

A soccer coach. She was a strong, competetent woman in an era when most coaches were men.

Astronaut Sally Ride. Well educated, accomplishing discoveries in technology. She embodied the sense that applying yourself through education and work could contribute a great deal in the world.

Benazir Bhutto. I was 14 when I found out she was the Prime Minister of Pakistan and I thought that if she could attain such a high position in such a male dominated society that I could do whatever I set my mind to in life.

Elvis Presley was my role model, because he was honest, patriotic, and a great singer.

Eleanor Roosevelt. She had heartbreak in her own personal life, but kept so busy helping others she had little time to dwell on herself.

Gandhi. I admired him greatly (and still do). His actions inspired me to be a better person. He was peaceful in the face of chaos.

Helen Keller for overcoming grave disabilities, Clara Barton for working tirelessly to aid others, Rosa Parks for having the courage to change the nation.

World War 2 veterans. My dad was one. They were truly the greatest generation and those in uniform protecting us today are their equals in every way.

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