Constructing false idols

Society regularly points to prominent persons who conduct themselves well and suggests they should be emulated. It is hard to understand however why people would deem it appropriate to unilaterally elect one class of people to be role models based purely on social prominence and a unique set of skills. None of those characteristics are of themselves virtuous. They may be testimony to hard work, a strong sense of commitment and possibly a tendency to obsessive compulsion, but they certainly are not hallmarks of virtue.

Society is full of people with highly developed technical, intellectual and artistic skills and there are other “elites” apart from sports stars. But their combination of a unique skill set together with social and cultural prominence sees sports stars often and inappropriately singled out as role models for the rest of us.

In the Australian context the cult of celebrity has led us to a preoccupation with sporting stars. Nationally we afford them far more credit than they deserve. For some perverse reason this gives rise to the expectation they should be exemplars to the rest of us. This expectation is also coupled with an unrealistic assumption about their capabilities that extends far outside of the sporting arena. We elevate them to a place of honour related to their sporting prowess and then attach to them a raft of other attributes.

History has shown that should any one be foolish enough to assume any one class of people must be role models, like the sports elite for example, they are courting disappointment.

When the elite athlete steps out of line it becomes a matter of national contention. Bad behaviour in all its forms is the bread and butter of most media but when it comes plated up with a sports star the news is considered even tastier. But more than being just a topic of prurient interest the issue of role modelling is raised: “how could they let down their fans?” it is asked, or statements are made suggesting their conduct is “bringing the game into disrepute” and they “are sending the wrong message”. Assuming the elite are subject to the rule of law and are punished for their indiscretions should we really care what they get up to? I think not.

Our social structures have undergone substantial changes over time. Many of these changes engender anxiety and fear. Accordingly many look beyond themselves or their own networks for good role models. The role and influence of the father for example has largely been de-emphasised in many western cultures. Fathers are less omnipotent than they once were and in many cases less accessible. In increasing numbers for some there is no father at all.

The absence of this particular role model has been blamed in part for varying degrees of delinquency and some children failing to achieve. Sports people - and other celebrities too - have been lumbered with the responsibility of the role model in order to fill that void. For the apparent lack of any one being around for people to “look up to” we have constructed false idols. It is sad indeed when we need some one else to emulate, or that we think when it comes to setting good examples we’re not quite up to it ourselves.

Some in the sporting commentariat - and in the broader community - seem to think without the sporting elite leading the way the social fabric might somehow unravel. Such a nervous disposition is evidence of a sense of growing anomie. It would seem that there are those who really do believe sports people have a social purpose other than being representative of their sport. The cult of the celebrity has distorted our moral prism as well as our self-confidence.

If our efforts in mapping out a reasonable course of conduct for our children, or ourselves for that matter, are thrown into disarray because a few footballers get involved in a nightclub brawl we’ve got a problem. Not every kid aspiring to be a tennis player turned out to be a dummy spitter just because John McEnroe had anger management problems at the height of his powers. Most people are more sensible than that. Most of us have our own moral compass.

History has demonstrated role models present themselves naturally. Foisting undue expectations on a reluctant subject will serve no useful purpose and in fact may result in a paradoxical effect. Bad behaviour may arise from out of a sentiment of resentment and a sense of being over burdened.

The fact so many sporting elite blot their copybook is to the community’s advantage. Those events serve to undermine the innappropriate deification of these otherwise ordinary people. And when an athlete does show himself or herself to be a person of integrity and virtue they stand out like a beacon and then they just might be worth considering as a role model.