Athleats As Role Models
Role Model
The term role model was introduced by Robert K. Merton. Merton says that individuals compare themselves with "reference groups" of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires (Merton). The term in general use may also mean any "person who serves as an example, whose behavior is emulated by others"(Wiktionary).
To me this means a role model is not just a "model" for your life; they are model of a specific "role" in your life. This is an important limitation. None of us are positive models in every aspect. People should be humble enough to hope that our children do not mirror our behaviors completely. I'd like my children to have my good work ethic; I'd not like them to have my attention to detail which is sometimes a little lacking. We all want our kids to share in our good qualities, not the bad. I like to use athletes as a means of explaining what a “Role Model” really is and is not.
Athletes are excellent role models but that should only be for the role of "athlete." Athletes display the virtues like determination, the value of training, fair play and sportsmanship, execution under pressure, the pursuit of excellence. The best athletes have these traits in full view of the public. There are thousands of examples of gifted athletes who have been rewarded by endless practice and dedication. Watch any professional game in any sport and you will see role models at every position.
Some people want more from athletes in the view of a role model. Some want athletes to be more than a model of a role; they want athletes to be a mold for all qualities. This is not what a role model is. The public expects athletes to show qualities other than sports to a greater level than we model them ourselves, Qualities such as honesty, integrity, self control, kindness, and generosity which are very important in people. We should not expect to point to an athlete to show our children an example of humility or...
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