Where should I begin? It seems that today most parents have overly relied on television and other media to raise their children. It seems like they can’t be bothered. Granted it is a good distraction for a time, but should not be abused. Some parents have over used play dates and nanny services to pursue selfish me time events that has put distance between them and their children. The child has changed into this new person that they don’t know. The parent doesn’t understand what is going on with their child. Well, that tends to happen when you push your offspring off on others to have them be raised, when it should be you. Children gain a certain amount of identity from what they observe on television if that is all they are exposed to. They gain more when they interact with their peers and surroundings.
Parents encourage these children to find role models. They tell their children to look to star athletes, singers, movie stars or political figures. They are encouraged to emulate these people and adopt their attributes. Then something goes wrong. That role model who that child is emulating does something completely human and makes a mistake. Now the parent is outraged. I guess because they will now have to do some actual parenting. I don’t know.
I will use the examples of Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant. These men are phenomenal at what they do. Kobe Bryant is at the peak of his game. A star that is averaging no less than 40pts a game. He’s a dynamic athlete that will inspire generations of children to perform at their best while on the court. Tiger Woods took a sport where Blacks were not readily accepted and turned it on its ear. Now when you think of golf you think Tiger Woods. He is a marvelous golfer who can’t be touched. Oh, I guess it should be mentioned that these men also cheated on their wives.
It is amazing to me that now when most parents think of Tiger Woods, all they can focus on is that he is an adulterer. The fact that he is a billion dollar athlete with countless awards and endorsements has gone out the window. Kobe was in the that same derelict naval vessel at one time as well. All they could think of when Kobe was mentioned, was a little hole in the wall town in Colorado, and the young lady that he transgressed against. It has taken Kobe time to get over Eagle, Colorado. I think he is still trying to get over that hump (no pun intended). All of Kobe's remarkable qualities that drew people close to the television for the Lake Show were discounted and thrown out the window; because of one thoughtless act that seemed to wipe his whole career slate clean. These men are human beings who are far from perfect and they make mistakes.
These men are not famous because of their flawless morality. Their ROLE is that they are dynamic athletes. They have pushed the envelope of their craft and continue to improve upon their game. The role they serve is to show children and the world how the sport can be played. How they have overcome odds and have come out on top. If I had a son and he came home excited about playing golf I would most definitely advise him to emulate Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods role is an amazing golfer. His work ethic is superb and worthy to be imitated. My child could do a lot worse in trying to find someone that can touch Tiger Woods game. If my child wanted to play basketball, I would tell him about Kobe Bryant’s work ethic and how he practices his free throws and jump shot and puts in extra hours of practice to become better. How he constantly studies his own tapes along with that of the competition to keep him sharp. Kobe’s role is that of a phenomenal basketball player.
The only time a “role model’s” morality should come into play is if morality and being an upstanding citizen of influence is that person’s role. If my child came home and states he wants to be a priest then I am not going to refer him to Jim Bakker or Jimmy Swaggert. Both of these men made mistakes and brought shame to themselves and their ministry. Their role is that of a MORAL person. Their job is to inspire and lead and of that, their role comes into play heavily. My child would have to find someone else to be their inspiration.
I guess my point in all of this is that as parents you are the role model for your children. Raising them right begins with the effort involved in raising them. Spending time with them and shaping them is more beneficial than plopping them down in front of the television for hours at a time while you are getting some me time. I am not condemning parents that need me time. We all need it however, it should not be abused. Your role is being their parents. Your examples are what should be guiding them into adulthood. Parents should not be relying on the example of others for they are not the ones that are raising them. I guess the bottom line is that parents should remember their own roles before telling their children to seek roles of their own. Your child is a lump of clay that is to be molded into a productive adult. Do you really want the strange hands of a foreign sculptor molding them?
S.L.
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