Are Athletes Obligated to Being Role Models?
WHO’S RAISING YOUR CHILDREN? October 19, 2011 By: anonymous
Michael Vick four times pro bowl, ESPY award best NFL player, in 2006 Michael Vick was the highest paid quarter back for the Atlanta Falcons. Vick was sentenced to jail for 23 months, for the funding of dog fighting, and numerous deaths of dogs, in his very own back yard.
Ben Roethlisberger offensive rookie of the year, two time super bowl champion, pro bowl 2007, arguably one off, or the best quarterbacks in this century, recently beats his 3rd Rape charge.
Javaris Crittenton a guard from the Washington wizards was charged with the shooting and death of young women Julian Jones.
Athletes in today’s society are looked upon as heroes, idols, or role models for many people and young children. The general public believes athletes are “obligated” to being role models, because of their performance on specialized events, fame, and riches. But, what is a role model? Word net search states “it is someone worthy of imitation, and every child needs a role model.” If this was the case people would highly disregard what some controversial athletes such as Michael Vick, Ben Roethlisberger, and Javaris Crittenton do off their field of profession. Why should the public care about what athletes do off the cameras, if we only value them for how they perform on stage? Athletes are morally obligated to being role models, due to the fact kid’s look up to them as inspirations for exceling in their profession, they have countless times been faced with competition, and they continue to surpass and succeed. Kids feel if a certain athlete has made it in their sport, “I too can make it”. Athletes should take it more into consideration that they are always in the limelight; their actions will eventually be looked upon as being morally good or bad.
However When athletes make it to the big leagues there isn’t a contract or clause that states they have to be role models, therefore it’s not in the job description. They are
Michael Vick four times pro bowl, ESPY award best NFL player, in 2006 Michael Vick was the highest paid quarter back for the Atlanta Falcons. Vick was sentenced to jail for 23 months, for the funding of dog fighting, and numerous deaths of dogs, in his very own back yard.
Ben Roethlisberger offensive rookie of the year, two time super bowl champion, pro bowl 2007, arguably one off, or the best quarterbacks in this century, recently beats his 3rd Rape charge.
Javaris Crittenton a guard from the Washington wizards was charged with the shooting and death of young women Julian Jones.
Athletes in today’s society are looked upon as heroes, idols, or role models for many people and young children. The general public believes athletes are “obligated” to being role models, because of their performance on specialized events, fame, and riches. But, what is a role model? Word net search states “it is someone worthy of imitation, and every child needs a role model.” If this was the case people would highly disregard what some controversial athletes such as Michael Vick, Ben Roethlisberger, and Javaris Crittenton do off their field of profession. Why should the public care about what athletes do off the cameras, if we only value them for how they perform on stage? Athletes are morally obligated to being role models, due to the fact kid’s look up to them as inspirations for exceling in their profession, they have countless times been faced with competition, and they continue to surpass and succeed. Kids feel if a certain athlete has made it in their sport, “I too can make it”. Athletes should take it more into consideration that they are always in the limelight; their actions will eventually be looked upon as being morally good or bad.
However When athletes make it to the big leagues there isn’t a contract or clause that states they have to be role models, therefore it’s not in the job description. They are
References: http://www.politicolnews.com/roethlisberger-3rd-rape/ http://oudaily.com/news/2010/mar/24/column-idolize-athletes-athletic-prowess-not-perso/ http://academicpapers.info/social-issues/should-athletes-feel-morally-obligated-to-act-as-role-models-for-today-youth-and-why-or-how-might-these-athletes-not-be-capable-to-act-as-the-role-models-that-society-would-like-tem-to/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Vick http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javaris_Crittenton http://www.americansc.org.uk/Online/walters.htm