When I was a kid all of us had great role models. Adults we respected and were great examples of “doing it right” that we could copy so that we did it right too.

There were league footballers who had a real job, like plumbing or teaching, and who went to training every night after work and maybe got paid a few bucks a week.

Or the local Cop who, if he caught us doing something wrong (like throwing stones at streetlights) gave us a clip behind the ears and sent us on our way.

We respected these guys, kinda admired them and secretly made them our role models. People whose values we copied and built our own lives on.

I guess it was the same for girls too, but I never asked them. When I finally got involved with girls such questions were not on my agenda!

But now, as I talk to kids (lots of year 10’s lately) I’m stuck for people I could suggest as role models… to be respected, admired and emulated.

Suggest a brilliant footballer who does drugs? A starlet who gets off her face and loves to get photographed getting out of cars nickerless? A politician? The local mayor who accepts bribes?

It’s tough. Just who can I suggest?

I really need your help so I’d love your suggestions!