The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Poll: But Olympian Jessica Ennis and Nelson Mandela set good example
Today’s generation of children are still lacking good role models.
A poll reveals that the majority of adults believe that youngstersdonothave enough people to look up to. The survey, which questioned around 2,000 adults, also found that 52% believe it is important to give something back to their local community.
Eight in 10 said they did not believe there were enough good role models for children in their community.
Those questioned were given a list of professions andaskedto saywhichthey respected least. Politicians were the least respected, chosen by 35%, followed by reality TV stars ( 29%), bankers (22%), footballers (9%) and models (4%).
The emergency services, doctors, teachers, charity workers and social workers
“Politicians were the least respected, followed by reality TV stars”
were the most trusted professions.
The poll also reveals that the Olympic Games is having an effect on the public’s idea of a good role model.
Given a list of names, gold medallist Jessica En- nis was picked as the top role model of the 2010s (chosen by 26% of those questioned). David Beckham was considered the top role model for the 2000s (picked by 32%) and Sir Richard Branson for the 1990s (chosen by 47%).
Bob Geldof and Margaret Thatcher tied for the top role model of the 1980s, with each receiving 23% of votes. The ultimate role model was former South African president Nelson Mandela, chosen by 19%, followed by the Queen with 18%.
The poll was commissioned by direct- selling firm Amway UK to mark the launch of their search to find Britain’s Top Real Role Model.