Rola wzorów i autorytetów postaci historycznych w kształtowaniu tożsamości uczniów szkół ponadgimnazjalnych

Abstract

The article presents the results of research conducted among students of upper secondary schools in Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The author discusses the problem of the creation of young people’s personal and national identity, especially the function of well-known historical figures (e.g. Józef Piłsudski, Pope John Paul II) as role models and authorities. It turns out that contemporary secondary school students perceive history and important historical figures in a stereotypical and schematic way. Their knowledge and historical awareness, considering the phenomena of the contemporary culture, present themselves in a rather negative light. They create, however, the picture of a young person constantly looking for examples and models as well as open to the values handed down by history and tradition.