Why U.S. Schools Should Reintroduce Historical Role Models for Kids

The author maintains that schools have traditionally offered students role models through stories of leaders such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose achievements can inspire despite personal errors. Recent trends in history education, which often prioritize deconstruction over admiration, are said to foster cynicism, illustrated by a San Francisco board vote to rename dozens of schools—a decision later reversed but indicative of a broader pattern.

While admitting that historical icons made serious mistakes, the piece argues that reducing their lives to those flaws distorts the lesson they can teach. A 2022 study linking adolescent role models to academic and behavioral benefits is cited to underscore the importance of positive examples. In the absence of such figures, the author warns that children increasingly look to social-media influencers, whose fame does not equate to moral guidance. The article calls for a balanced approach that presents heroes as complete humans, allowing students to see that courage and integrity can coexist with imperfection.