Role models have changed a lot since we were kids. Instead of emulating astronauts and presidents, many of today’s youth look up to Disney-girls-gone-bad (like Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears) and professional athletes who take steroids, or drink and drive.

It’s worrisome enough that kids imitate their heroes’ sometimes shocking appearance - provocative clothing, bizarre hair, or overpriced athletic shoes - but what happens if they also choose to imitate their behavior?

Kids spend a lot of time with the media - TV, the Internet, and beyond - and can tell you at any given time what the latest scandal is involving their favorite celebrities. Information in and of itself is not a bad thing, but some media coverage sends mixed messages. How will kids learn to understand consequences if the TV shows a mug shot of their hero one day and glamorous coverage of them at the next day’s red carpet function or big ball game? Will they think that any behavior - teen pregnancy, underage drinking, potty mouth - is acceptable?

Not necessarily. The Kaiser Family Foundation asked children ages 10 to 17 to list their role models. 73% named sports figures, more than half admire TV and movie stars, and rock or rap stars were listed by nearly a third of respondents. No surprises there, but guess what! More than 90% said their parents are the strongest influence in their lives. So exert your influence and be the best role model you can be for your children!

What kind of role model are you?