Are Sportspeople Our Only Role Models?

I am a follower of a few sports. I love  football, watch some rugby league, tennis and cricket. I am amazed by the talent of the people who play these sports, and their athleticism. However, I have noticed a trend where it seems it is no longer enough to excel in your chosen sport. No, sportspeople have to be role models and ambassadors of “good behaviour”.

Where does this come from? Why does society have such high expectations of sportspeople. I can think of two regular types of scandals sportspeople are often accused of being involved in- drugs and sex.

Drugs is a huge issue in sport. Many medals in the Olympics are under conjecture, because of suspected drug use. Now I don’t endorse drug use for a second. Steroids especially can cause all sorts of major health problems and even, sometimes, death. However, it is not only in sports that drugs are a problem. They are used by many rock stars and I would be surprised if the television and movie industry is drug-free. These people set examples too, so where is the outcry against the music or entertainment industries? Also, many people indulge in drugs in society, and it wasn’t sportspeople who encouraged them to use it. It was friends and people they met who encouraged them that it was “cool” and “everyone is doing it”.

Another issue is sport is sex, specifically the treatment of women. Sportspeople, especially football players, are criticised for not knowing how to properly treat women. They are made to sound like perverted monsters, who drag the sport down. Last time I looked, sex was not illegal, as long as it is between two consenting adults. If the girl doesn’t consent, then the player has to be punished. However, the players are publicly humiliated for something that happens all around the place (that is, people having sex). Again I point to the rock industry. Many rockers brag about sleeping with groupies, and have scantily-clad dancers in their videos. Some male singers sing about what they would like to do to a girl, and some female singers tell what they want done to them. The TV and movie industry is no better. Many television shows and movies have sex scenes, every bit as inappropriate as anything sportspeople are accused of, as well as all the violent programs and movies that are available as well.

So, what should the media do-not report it? No, it needs to be reported, however, they need to be consistent, and be as critical of movie, television or rock stars who do the same thing, as well as politicians and any other area where these things may be a problem. This even includes the media industry itself, if they have these problems. It is best to clean up your own backyard first, before pointing the finger at others.

Secondly, the media should also mention and commend the good things that sportspeople do, such as community camps and visiting sick children in hospitals. I don’t buy the line that they are expected to do that already. Good deeds should be commended. Also, look what sports is doing to increase fitness, in a society where childhood obesity is seen as a problem. A footballer or a cricketer’s example may encourage children positively, by having the child picking up a football or cricket bat, and training to be like their hero, at the same time, losing some weight, and becoming fit.

The positive aspects of role models need to be emphasised more. After all, all children need heroes.