Kids Can Be Role Models | Jack Bonneau | TEDxBoulder

Summary

In this inspiring speech, the speaker challenges the notion that sports stars, celebrities, and fictional characters should be the primary role models for children. Instead, they argue that kids can look up to other kids who have achieved remarkable feats through passion and perseverance. Highlighting examples like Mikaila Ulmer, Jade Hameister, Mo'ne Davis, and the Parkland teenagers, the speaker encourages young people to be their own role models by pursuing their interests and making a difference.

Takeaways

• 🏀 'I am not a role model' - Charles Barkley's famous words emphasize that athletes are not necessarily role models just because of their sports achievements.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents are the primary role models for children, setting the foundation for their values and behaviors.
• 🌟 Society often looks to public figures like sports stars, entertainers, and politicians for inspiration, but these figures can be flawed.
• 🦸‍♂️ Superheroes are evolving to represent a more diverse range of characters, reflecting a broader audience.
• 📺 The Kardashians represent a new type of 'fame' that is based on social media presence rather than traditional achievements.
• 👧 Kids can be inspired by other kids who have achieved great things, like Mikayla Ulmer, Jade Hameister, and Moziah Bridges.
• 🌱 Children can be their own role models by pursuing their interests and passions, as demonstrated by various young entrepreneurs and activists.
• 💪 The key to becoming a role model is having the courage to 'just do it,' supported by parents, schools, and mentors.
• 🌟 Success stories of young people show that age is not a barrier to making a significant impact.
• 🌈 Role models can come from all walks of life, and their stories can inspire others to embark on their own journeys.

Q & A

Who are some of the individuals mentioned in the script as examples of role models outside of parents?

The script mentions teachers, mentors, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Ellen, Oprah, Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, and the Kardashians as examples of role models outside of parents.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to looking up to celebrities and fictional characters as role models?

The speaker suggests that kids can be their own best role models by starting something they are interested in or passionate about, and by following the journeys and experiences of other kids who have achieved great things.

What is the story of Mikaila Ulmer mentioned in the script?

Mikaila Ulmer was stung by a bee twice at the age of four, which led her to learn about bees and their challenges. She then started a lemonade stand using her great-grandmother's recipe sweetened with local honey. Her business grew, and by the age of thirteen, she had four types of lemonade sold in hundreds of Whole Foods across the country, with a percentage of profits donated to organizations working to save bees.

Who is Jade Hameister, and what did she achieve at a young age?

Jade Hameister is an Australian teenager who became the youngest girl and the first girl to ski to the North Pole and the South Pole, and across the largest polar ice cap in Greenland by the age of 16.

What is the story of Mo Bridges, and how did he start his own business?

Mo Bridges wanted to wear bow ties but did not like the ones he saw available. With the help of his grandmother, he started sewing his own and eventually started his own business. He appeared on the TV show 'Shark Tank', did not get a deal, but continued to grow his business and later landed a multi-million dollar deal with the NBA.

Who are the Parkland teenagers mentioned in the script, and what is their significance?

The Parkland teenagers mentioned are Emma González, David Hogg, and others who became activists following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. They are significant for their advocacy for gun control and their role in inspiring youth activism.

Who is Malala Yousafzai, and what award did she win?

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. She won the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.

What was the speaker's personal experience that led them to start their own business?

The speaker wanted a Lego Star Wars Death Star when they were eight years old. Their parents told them they could have it if they paid for it themselves. They started a lemonade stand at a local farmers market, which eventually led to them creating a business where kids and their families could sign up to operate lemonade stands.

What is the main message the speaker conveys about the potential of kids to be role models?

The main message is that kids have the potential to be great role models for other kids and adults by following their interests, passions, and by solving problems. They can inspire others through their journeys and achievements, showing what is possible as a kid.

What advice does the speaker give to kids who want to follow in the footsteps of the role models mentioned in the script?

The speaker advises kids to 'just go do it,' meaning to take action on their interests and passions, to be persistent, and to seek support from parents, schools, and mentors to embark on their own journey and achieve their goals.