Patricia Bricheno|Mary Thornton
Role model, hero or champion? Children's views concerning role models
University of Cambridge|University of Hertfordshire
abstract background claims male role models improve behaviour achievement boys familiar persistent however research confirmed link recent uk studies indicate peers relatives may far important boys teachers given seemingly relentless reference male teachers role models boys lack agreement concept role model wide variety role models available felt useful test whether children tend see teachers role models find role models actually purpose study explored whether children actually see teachers role models asked children directly role models regard important attributes role model sample four schools shire county southeast england took part study schools different socioeconomic areas different intakes pupils academic outcomes questionnaire administered pupils aged 10 11 years present day two primary elementary schools pupils aged 14 16 years two classes two secondary high schools numbers boys 197 girls 182 taking part similar numbers children age group socioeconomic status gender age used comparison results design methods data collected january 2003 questionnaire used comprising quantitative qualitative aspects brief explanation questionnaire given together dictionary definition role modelie person respect follow look want like structured responses analysed using statistical package social sciences spss software program exploratory factor analysis used establish groups items relating distinct constructs role models free responses analysed assistance qsr n6 software package responses coded according demographic information gender year group school gathered results young people range role models particular reasons choosing many look close relatives role models 24 pupils referred teacher role model statistically significant differences found role models identified schools socially advantaged disadvantaged areas conclusions indication children see teachers role models majority identified loving caring friends relatives direct social environment role models despite assertions contrary government mass media male teachers seen role models boys sample policy prescription remedy boys socalled underachievement laddish behaviour promotion male teachers role models present viable keywords role modelsmale teacherschildrens views notes 1 factor analysis statistical technique used examine interrelations among set variables items order identify underlying structure items exploratory factor analysis used identify common underlying constructs among group items 2 fishers exact test statistical significance test used analysis categorical data sample sizes small test used examine significance association two variables 22 contingency table