Emulation of Cultural Heroes by Children

Children can be exceptionally impressionable at a young age, and will often model their behavior after cultural icons to whom they feel a connection. While these heroes can be a positive inspiration, their actions can also negatively influence a child's actions.

Political Leaders

• The leaders of our nation are constantly called upon by the media and the general public to live up to a certain standard. Due to their exposure and their status as vitally important individuals, children are wont to emulate them as heroes. In many situations this is a very bad idea, as politicians frequently make immoral decisions to either gain more power or abuse that power.

Hollywood Celebrities

• Many Hollywood celebrities are excellent examples of role models and prime examples for children to emulate. Actresses such as Natalie Portman, who graduated from Harvard University despite a career as a child star and is a social activist, are often obscured by the more notorious Hollywood of Lindsay Lohan's drug issues and Kim Kardashian's off-screen exploits.

Athletes

• Athletes are perhaps the most widely emulated cultural heroes, as countless children grow up playing sports themselves. Drug-abusers and cheats such as Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Roger Clemens can instill in children the idea that being successful means taking steroids, which can destroy your body. Furthermore, an ethic of cheating becomes embedded as acceptable in their minds.