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Show v---i 1.1 Lyndon Bohnaon poll revealed that Paul Newman led in the male department and Doris Day among female stars. Future stars: Richard Chamberlain and James Franciscus. When polled, teen-ag- e Boy Scouts showed a preference for former Scouts: John Glenn, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, UN Ambassador Arthur Goldberg, and Jim Whlttaker, the first American to climb Mount Everest SimiClub members identify best with larly many "doers", like astronaut Alan Shepard and Sen. Birch E. Bayh, Jr., of Indiana, both alumni. In the Junior Achievement survey of high- school students in 27 cities, Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy led by far as "models .for your personality and adult career." In literature (covered by no other poll) these picked Robert Frost and Ernest Hemingway. In sports, Jimmy Brown and Willie Mays trailed Sandy Koufax. Among scientists (besides Salk and Schweitzer), they esteemed Dr. Albert Einstein and Dr. Wern-hvon Braun. Just why do modem heroes rot? Consider John F. .Kennedy. Teen-agetold me: "He stood for the modern yet complicated society we live in" (Linda Hadden, 17, Glenwood, Iowa). "I admire JFK because he devoted his life to have lived a helping the people, when carefree life" (Saul Epstein, 16, Camden, NJ.). Eisenhower is probably our nearest approach to a war hero for adolescents. Said a boy in Paris, 111.: "To me, Dwight Eisenhower symbo teen-age- rs er rs L 0 c or, uld r the face of battle." In respect to religious heroes, a Gallup poll not long ago' concluded that American youth as a whole is "quite religious." In Cleveland, 10,000 assembled to listen to Billy Graham. "This was a far larger gathering than those involved in any of the publicized teen-ag- e riots," Dr. Porter reminds us. Discussing her choice of Graham, one girl in Oklahoma City explained that "I respect the effort he is putting out to bring people closer to God." Pop Povl VI, especially since his visit here, also has gained a wide following. President Johnson's youthful fans select him generally because "he stands aa the leader of a great nation and through him I see how a young person can rise through the ranks and reach a pinnacle." Churchill is still esteemed for his "wisdom, courage, talent, and determination." Our newest heroes, the astronauts, are viewed by sociologists as "models of human character" for each of the astronauts has his own adherents, Glenn seems to be foremost, probably because be was the first American to orbit the earth. Gleiur himself "Is almost as Important as into outer space," Dr. Porter believes, "for he dramatized before the eyes of the entire nation the noble qualities of the human spirit" As for Patty Duke, and Doris teen-age- rs 4--H r Dwight D. Eisenhower lizes the American ideal of courage in 4-- H I j s The Beatles? LBJ? Jacqueline Kennedy? Doris Day? you'll be surprised by the public idols our youngsters most admire Heroes? Pope Paul VI Dr. Jonas Salk Patty Duke he-co- r r & fill i i ile - ght his-fli- Ann-Margr- Cory Grant m et The Beatles Day, these are minor deities that girls want to emulate, just as boys may try to ape the suavity of Sean Connery or the angry mien of Bob Dylan. The Beatles? They appeal mostly to those under 14, insists youth researcher Lester Rand, and their longevity is surprising in the face of our youngsters' transient tastes in entertainers. Tho rool horo is not only an exciting idol but an image, reflecting aspirations and self identic choices should be exfication. Each amined by his parents, for the personalities selected often reveal a great deal about the chooser. Youngsters who avidly worship a hero study his life, and if parents know about they can significantly help to motivate their children in the right direction. Not all adult models need be national in scope, however. Says Dr. Porter: "Good teachers and strong parents can provide an image that makes the phony mass culture of the vulgar and untal- ented idols fade.". The experts report that the average teen-agin a stable family still idolizes one or both parents. Outside the family, youngsters evidently have to be helped to identify with good heroes, to learn who is admirable and who isn't The last word on the subject mayhaveJeeiL spoken by one teen hero. Senator Bayh. He said: "The heroes a child worships depends largely on his parents. If children are left entirely to their own devices, their heroes will quite often reflect the lack of guidance." -- teen-ager- 's it er J Sandy Koufax Yr'5fl ) m pi " V ' III V Family Weekly, Aprils, 1999 0 |