Role models are problematic. Ask Disney. I would imagine they spend a lot of time, money and effort identifying talented young people who also fit the Disney clean-cut image. Fast forward a few years after discovery and many of these same young people are behaving in ways that have parents screaming at Disney for exposing young children to such terrible role models.
Generally, Christian parents point their kids to Christ as the ultimate role model. Many will point out Christians here and there who have a specific godly characteristic or quality in order to show their kids what those look like in our world. I would imagine though most young people still have one or more “famous” people they admire for a variety of reasons. Many parents may be looking for ways to steer their kids towards admiring people who put God first in their lives.
I was interested to learn of a new book offering stories of younger Christians who were “real stories of a courageous new generation standing for truth”. No Fear: Real Stories of a Courageous New Generation Standing for Truth by Tony Perkins tells the stories of eleven young people who in the author’s view made a strong stand for God.