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David Beckham and Cheryl Cole 'best children's role models'
Ben Bailey16 Sep 2009
Footballers and pop stars are the best role models for children, according to a new poll today, which found most adults believe youngsters have no one to look up to.
Almost two-thirds of adults believe school-age children do not have appropriate role models in their lives, according to research by The Children's Society.
David Beckham was rated as setting the best example for children - more than half (55%) of those questioned said he was a good, or very good, role model, compared to 18% who said he sets a bad example.
Singer Cheryl Cole came second, with 40% rating her positively, compared to 27% who said she was a bad role model.
Cartoon character Homer Simpson was voted the worst role model.
The National Mentoring Initiative poll, which questioned over 2,000 people found children are less likely to look up to adults than in the past.
While more than a quarter of those questioned (28%) said they looked up to their father when they were young, around one in seven (14%) said they thought that children today look up to their fathers.
Some 32% of adults said they used to consider their mother a role model, 30% believe that children today now see their mother in the same way.
Just 5% of adults said they think children look up to their grandparents.
The poll also reveals that when it comes to politicians, David Cameron is seen as setting the best example, with a third (34%) rating him as a positive role model.
A fifth saw Gordon Brown as a positive role model, while 16% said the same about Nick Clegg.
Rashid Iqbal, director of The Children's Society's National Mentoring Initiative, said: "This poll reflects our concerns that many children are living without positive role models.
"If children are not looking up to adults this is not the children's fault.
"Both parents and society at large have a responsibility to enact a change of heart in our society and actually live by the values that they espouse and be strong and positive role models, providing continuity and support to a child or young person's life.
"At the moment this seems more aspiration than reality. Adults have a collective responsibility to make childhood better for all children."
:: The poll questioned 2,006 people between March 20-24.
Reader views (9)
i think they both are good role models excetionally CHERYL cole cause she is one amazing women if you think about she aint like a normal star she is kind sweet and she is an inspiration to me i liked her from day dot and its not like im obsessed , she i slike someone you can go and talk to to and she will mke you feel better well .. thanks love you cheryl
- Charlotte, enfield, 23/09/2009 18:52
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Nelly, East London
Love the turn of phrase - couldn`t have put it better myself.
Children of our media hyped technoaddicted celeb infested NuLabour clientelle , are they not?
Let`s hope for 24 hr "X-Factor " marathon on TV come polling day, or they might get out and vote their paymasters back in!
Regards
- Darius, London UK, 23/09/2009 17:52
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Is this the same Cheryl Cole ( Tweedy) who was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm only a few years ago and was sentenced to 120 hours community service plus a large fine? People and reporters seem to have short memories.Nice role model,..........eh,not.
- Martin, London UK, 23/09/2009 17:52
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Good grief!Obviously, the children didn't take into account of what's up-top in the brains department. One is an air-headed, talentless but attractive looking WAG the other a not too bright but talented footballer.Beckham possibly - but Cole PLEASE NO!
- Larissa, Sutton, 23/09/2009 17:52
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So we have a sports businessman millionaire and a female icon of airbrushed and cosmetically enhanced beauty as children’s favourite role models...and they think that Churchill is a dog selling insurance.
Wonder if any of them know the names of any engineers who gave birth to their closest companion - the mobile phone! I doubt it.
Education,Edoocashun,EduK8shn.
- Darius, London UK, 23/09/2009 17:52
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And it's thanks to the media that these celebs get constant coverage 24 hours a day.
- Robert Thornton, Malaga, Spain, 23/09/2009 17:52
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Nice, this is the same Cheryl Cole who was found guilty in court for assaulting a toilet attendant?
And Beckham.. seriously, was there ever a bigger dullard?
- Bob, Cheam, 23/09/2009 17:52
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Is this a spoof? oh sorry we are in Chavland. A tatooed baffoon married to a materialistic vacuous stick insect, both obviously money obsessed and a moggle/singa/celeb. When did a week pass without a futbrawler being in the press for drink driving/fighting/speeding/infidelity? Great people and so bright!!! Is not footy a game for gentlemen played by thugs? We should be worshipping engineers, scientists, artists, great business leaders and intellectuals and thinkers not materialistic amoebas.
- Nelly, East London, 23/09/2009 17:52
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That really does explain an awful lot of what is wrong with England today, and why frankly, it won't recover for at least a couple of generations.
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark, 23/09/2009 17:52
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