Avia Collinder, Sunday Gleaner Writer

A group of sixth-form students of Wolmer's Girls' School are having an impromptu study session. A recent study showed that Jamaican students chose their parents as role models. - File

It may come as a surprise, but parents are the most influential role models in the lives of Jamaican students, a recent survey is showing.

The study also reveals there is a positive correlation between the educational achievements of role models and students' expectations of their own achievements. For instance, if the role model is a professional football player with low levels of educational achievement, the student who cites this individual as his or her role model is also likely to express low expectations for his or her own academic achievements.

The survey was conducted by Gail M. Ferguson, of the University of Rochester, among 269 male and female fifth-form students in the Corporate Area. Respondents were asked to name their role models, the known and perceived educational levels of the role models, and to state their own educational expectations.

The students' most recent examination results were also used as a variable in the analysis.

Speaking at the Caribbean Child Research Conference held at the Jamaica Conference Centre last week, Ferguson said that the research results were consistent with international findings.

The goal of Ferguson's study was to look at modern role models and the relationship with educational outcomes.

Almost 30 per cent of the students named parents as their primary role models. Most students had gender-matched role models, that is boys choose male figures, while girls choose females; but boys were more likely to choose as role models individuals they did not know personally. Girls were more relationship driven, choosing parents, siblings and professionals they personally knew.

Ferguson noted that in the "entertainer and professional athlete" categories, students who chose these persons as role models also rated their educational attainment at midpoint. Significantly, the research showed that these students were also expecting less of themselves. Where surgeons and other professionals with high educational attainment were chosen as role models, the students' expectation of achievement was high.

According to Ferguson: "The data do not suggest that there is a shortage of appropriate role models among young people; it also shows that only a small minority actually endorses role models who might be considered inappropriate."

A few students chose 'bad men' role models or others who might be considered inappropriate.

Osama bin Laden was one such choice, but the researcher pointed out that such selections were statistically insignificant, and were limited to a very small number, who were predominantly boys. Ferguson said this was consistent with other data from other countries.

influencing moral character

The research marked the first time that data of this nature were collected directly from Jamaican students.

The researcher, however, cautioned that the study was done in a traditional high school only, so the results might be different if conducted in a non-traditional high school.

Ferguson noted that concerns have been expressed about local role models among youth, because these are believed to influence moral character and behaviour among them. She pointed to the published work of Dr. Maureen Samms-Vaughan, which shows that the minister of religion, teacher and the postmistress are no longer the influential role modes that they once were in the Jamaican society.

Categories of role models

Parents

Professionals they don't personally know like Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates

Friends and acquaintances

Relatives

Entertainers

Siblings

Professional athletes

Ideologue figures such as Jesus Christ and Islamic terrorist Osama bin Laden