Role Models Other Than Mom

Moms are great, but so are the saints.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice polarization in the United States. I have often wondered in recent years, who actually unites us? Are there still people we can all celebrate? 

When a school board even votes to remove the name of Abraham Lincoln from a school, I struggle to think of people we all see as role models. (If you have ideas, please comment below or email me!)

If baby names are any indication, there also seems to be a drop in the popularity of the saints. 

I have a niece named Mary Kate. If she were growing up in the 1950s, she would likely have classmates named Mary Beth and Mary Pat. Now, “Mary” ranks just behind “Arianna” and just ahead of “Remi” among newborn girls. 

Of course, people still have role models, but they tend to be closer to home. “Dad” and “Mom” are the most common role models today. There is something beautiful in this, but it also seems as if we have lost something.

I’m grateful that my own mom wanted me to be exposed to saintly people. She took me to hear people like Archbishop Desmond Tutu speak in person. I saw that the world was bigger than my bubble.

Moms are great, but we also need some other role models.