Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Athletes Are Role Models
When you think of role models the word success comes to mind. In today's society know ones success is shown more than that of an athletes. There achievements are exposed to us in many ways TV, radio, videos games, jerseys, posters, ticket sales for example. Children are most effected when seeing this success through the previous mention examples. When your young and you see athletes doing these great things and you see how they live you want to grow up and be just like them; they become you role models. Unfortunately for them whether they choose to be or not athletes are role models. Sometimes it seems they do not to take being idolized into consideration when they are shooting themselves using steroids or fighting dogs. Despite these instances people still want to be like them and be as successful as they have become.
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You say that whether athletes chose it or not they are role models. Why? If I choose not to be a role model than I am not a role model. If I choose to knowingly hang out in strip clubs (Pacman Jones), instigate dog fights (Michael Vick), and the list goes on, then I shouldn't expect anyone to look up my behavior as exemplary. I shouldn't expect to have any fans or any media attention to show my story in all its nasty, steamy glory. But the problem is that the media likes to glorify (or at least give excesive air time) to bad athletes. This should not be the athletes concern unless it is explicitly stated in their contract - which, by the way, I think is a violation of freedoms to act as one would wish in this great country. It is the responsibility of the parents of the children of this country to find good role models for their kids to look up to, regardless of how athletes behave.
ReplyDeleteMichael Vick’s involvement in dog fighting was obviously wrong, but shouldn’t everyone get a second chance? He’s only human, and all humans make bad decisions from time to time. It is important that you learn from your mistakes, as well as “right the wrong.” Several sport stars have gotten in trouble for steroid use lately. But compared to these others, Michael Vick handled his mistake extremely well. He never wasted time lying to America, and denying the fact that he was wrong. Instead, he immediately admitted guilt, publicly apologized, and paid the consequences. I agree that he is supposed to be a role model for children, and they should not look at his actions and think that fighting animals, or breaking the law in any way for that matter, is acceptable. However, he stood on national television and separately addressed the children in his speech. Not only did he apologize to them, but also explained how it was wrong. In a way, he is still a great role model. These children will one day make mistakes of their own, and will hopefully follow his example when trying to fix theirs.
ReplyDeleteI believe that an athlete or any other person who is in the public eye should be careful of their actions. Maybe they do not choose to be role models, but that doesn't mean that some fans or followers won't see him or her as a role model. You youself do not choose to be a role model; the people who admire you are the ones that make you a role model. I do think that if you are famous you should have privacy, just like anybody else does, but you got to be aware that there are children out there who might want to be like you. Plus why would they do steroids when it's not permited as an athlete? I agree that athletes are role models and should be careful to what they do or say in publc. Actually, anybody, whether or not famous, should be careful of their actions.
ReplyDeleteI too believe that Michael Vick paid his dues. I also believe that if you are in a position that puts you in the public eye, there are standards you should maintain in order to have that privilege. Not everyone gets to follow their dreams and those that get the chance to do so should feel blessed and hold that honor high. Being in the public eye does set you up to be a role model and athletes get paid millions of dollars a year to follow their dream. The least they could do is set good examples for our youth who want to maybe follow in their footsteps. It should be written in contracts that they walk the line. Sure everyone makes mistakes, but do they have to be so stupid and ignorant like fighting dogs or carrying guns. Athletes are not invisible and the law is starting to make examples out of them and very well they should.
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