Sunday, December 5, 2010
Role Models
What is a role model? According to the Oxford English Dictionary it is "a person regarded by others as an example to be imitated." We all are guilty of looking at famous athletes and actors as role models who don't deserve that attention. Mark McGwire was a great baseball player and many looked up to him; however, he was caught using steroids. Paris Hilton is looked up to by many teenage girls and it seems like she is always doing something to get herself into trouble. Are these people we want to imitate? Just because people make mistakes doesn't necessarily mean they are bad. Michael Vick went to jail for dog fighting a few years ago. He is now the starting quaterback on the Philadelphia Eagles and is an MVP candidate. He talks to young children around the world warning them how easy it is to make mistakes. He is an example of someone who has gotten his life together after making some bad choices. To me, he is a role model.
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Perhaps he could be a role model, however I think I would rather have a kid look up to someone who doesn't have a history involving problems that resulted in jail time. Role Models are supposed to be idols on and off the playing field or in entertainment perhaps on and off the stage. Many people fail to see both sides of the person, and although he has outstanding ability on the field, he wouldn't be someone, for me, that is a role model.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Dodd has said but only to the extent that most people with criminal backrounds are not role models but i think in this case there is an exception. Before he was sentenced he was an outstanding quarterback and was my favorite player in the NFL. I liked the Falcons because of him, as a second to the Giants of course. When he was convicted of the crime my views of him were significantly lowered. While most people don't change I think Michael Vick has. He handled the whole situation with clas. After he got out of prison he started organizing groups against dog fighting and re-joined the NFL as an Eagle. This year he is having the best statistical season of his career and has in my opinion restored his name through on and off field actions. Michael Vick could and should be a role model just because of all the things he has accomplished.
ReplyDeleteCelebrity role models to me are too far fetched. I would rather find a role model with a person I can more easily interact with, not someone portrayed by the media. But, celebrities and their lives are interesting to look at though.
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