Dr. Jeremy F. Shapiro
Pediatrician
Dr Shapiro completed his undergraduate education at UC San Diego earning a B S in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a B A in Political Science He furthered his education at UCLA where he earned a Masters Degree in Public…
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LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Athletes: Role Models or Just Jocks?
13
Posted in Adoption by Dr. Jeremy F. Shapiro on Feb 08, 2009

A few weeks back I contemplated writing something about this topic when Charles Barkley, member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and until recently, one of the most interesting basketball commentators around, was arrested for driving under the influence.  Now, an athlete being arrested for this offense is certainly not a first-time occurrence nor will it probably be the last, but my initial reaction to this event led me to something Mr. Barkley said a few years back..."I don't believe professional athletes should be role models."  And while I decided to sit tight and not write at the time, his words have resonated in my mind over this past month.


A significant reason I've continued to ponder what role athletes play in our society stems from taking my children on separate occasions to Los Angeles Lakers games this last month.  And although my daughter may not have the same passion my son has for our local sports teams, I know they both thoroughly enjoyed attending their first professional basketball game...cheering and high-fiving throughout the game...rooting for our team and our players.  And while we still talk quite favorably about the games, what has concerned me is the potential influence these athletes have over my children...our children...off the court. 


And now just in the past week we find two national, if not international, superstars in rather disappointing situations.  The week began with the release of a photograph of Michael Phelps, of international Olympic fame, smoking marijuana.  And while I am not here to debate whether this should be even considered an offense, the fact is, current law in this country prohibits its use in all but a few medical instances.  Now although my children are a bit young and not aware of what occurred, they certainly know who Mr. Phelps is and I'm willing to say a good number of ‘tweens and early teens also know who he is and the last thing they need to see is someone of Mr. Phelps' stature with a bong in hand when they are at an age when the pressure from peers to do drugs and alcohol begins.


Jumping ahead to the end of last week, we find that Alex Rodriguez, possibly the greatest baseball player of this generation and who has previously stated he never used steroids, apparently did use performance-enhancing drugs according to published reports from Sports Illustrated.  So for all those children out there who have wanted to be like Alex, if these claims prove true, we now have to explain to our children that it's not such a good idea as not only would he exemplify it's o.k. to cheat, but it's fine to lie, as well.


And although I am thoroughly disheartened by the lack of good judgment displayed by these well-known athletes, I would like to complete Mr. Barkley's quote from above as his sentiments echo something I certainly agree with...something about..."parents should be role models."  Pure and simple, athletes (and hopefully not cheating ones) should only be rooted for on the court, not emulated off it.  As parents and caregivers, we need to be setting the examples for our children.


 


Dr. Jeremy


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Displaying comments 13-1 of 13
13
Great points. I stopped trying to understand or rationalize to myself the behavior of professional athletes after Iverson. Athletes are people, and I respect Barkley for being honest about it. Ultimately, we will forgive whatever "poor decisions" they make so long as they score points, set records, etc. I say that we should enjoy them in action and even buy a jersey for the game, but it would be foolish to expect them to take on a civic function. They play, we root.

Did anyone follow the Phelps deal right aftewards? Apparently, Phelps was considering not swimming in 2012 because of all the hassle he received from toking up. Back off America, if you want him to win us gold. On top of that, was anyone really surprised when it was officially documented that he smokes weed? He speaks like Jeff Spicoli, fully inarticulate, rocking out to his ipod before jumping in the pool. His simultaneous interview with Mark Spitz immediately after breaking the record was very, very uncomfortable. Granted, Spitz is older and wiser, but there was no intellectual connection at all.
By MattyS  Feb 11, 2009
12
when ANYONE is paid huge amounts of money and their lives are displayed, no, more like stuffed down our throats, in such public mediums, how is it any wonder that kids will see and copy?
Parents are the role models, whether you have one or not.Whether you have a parent who guides their children or not, they are the role model for which most learned behavior is based on.
It takes a village to raise a child...and all villages have their idiots..Perhaps instead of judging the behavior of ROLE MODELS (and isn't everyone a role model of some sort?), letting our kids know that everyone makes mistakes is an opportunity..isn't the idea to LEARN and not blame or criticize. Learn the lesson and move on.
Personally, I don't give a rat's patooty what A Rod does..upcoming players may.
By marymargaret  Feb 10, 2009
11
Many of these responses hit the nail right on the head as far as the ins and outs of who is ultimately responsible for the 'bringing up' of our babies into able minded adults. I really don't have anything to add that hasn't been said as far as that goes. But, I do want to present a good man/Pro Athlete to this venue:

Mack Strong, fullback for the Seattle Seahawks for 15 years (retired 2008) is my son-in-law. He has received many awards, mainly courtesy of the esteem of his teammates, for his integrity, generosity towards others, and his family values. I have heard Mack talk of other players that he thinks highly of, but since I cannot speak for him, I will not mention those names. While Mack is not a perfect man, he, and other players I have met, are quite good men. Mack considers his influence on the public, especially youngsters, everyday. This does not mean that he is out to impress. This means that Mack, a man of God, takes very seriously the directions his footsteps lead. I hope I'm not making him sound too dour. He's a blast to watch 'Sponge Bob Square Pants' with. His sons can attest to that.
By kathrynemae  Feb 10, 2009
10
I was a professional athlete... Truthfully it was a financial deal, I knew if I acted like an idiot my sponsors would catch wind of it. Plus I don't think its so hard to lead a good example.

As well I wasnt as high profile as superstar athletes, but if your at the top level of your sport people are watching.
By freedomoath  Feb 10, 2009
9
Well this all depends on which "ROLE" you are modeling after. I believe it is okay to want to be as good a basketball player as Michael Jordan minus the reported "womanizing." It's fine to strive to be a fast and strong a swimmer as Michael Phelps but not strive to have his drug use issues.

You should never aspire to be exactly like someone else, there's always room for improvement and the aspiration should be to be greater. I loved my mother, she was great at so much, but where the flaws appeared, I've tried to do differently- and yes, she was one of my only role models.
By kandyland2001  Feb 10, 2009
8
The pressure we put on our stars is phenomenal. The internal or family pressures that are put on these people as children must also be phenomenal. Thus these people are probably carrying out a lot of internal pain. Having a few drinks to dull the edge is legal. Having a few hits of the bong is illegal. So long as someone is not driving under the influence, getting into bar fights, having irresponsible sex, etc., there is no reason why either practice should be illegal.

Yes, we as parents should set the primary example. Unfortunately, many parents are also in emotional pain and do a poor job of setting that example. If one is in such pain, one should seek outside help to deal with it for their own and their children's sake.
By PTSDwidow  Feb 10, 2009
7
Great article. I totally get it. As a mother of a toddler who just went through a manic episode on steroids.. I get it, being a good parent to our youth is the answer. This means being a good role model and walking the walk. Raising my son in the church around positive influences and good role models is going to be key.
By jk4jc  Feb 10, 2009
6
Other cultures had their celebrities too. Think of Erik the Red for the Vikings, Attilla the Hun, Ghengis Khan. Hammurabi. Exceptional individuals stand out in every culture, whether they achieve it by their own efforts or through extrodinary circumstances. Many Americans do know who the great poets are, but who is great and who isn't tends to be subjective. What appeals to one person doesn't necessarily appeal to another. I have a friend who thinks that the latest Batman movie should get a best picture oscar and that anything by Bruce Springsteen should get every award out there. I don't agree.
All humans are flawed. Like the old saying goes 'No man is a hero to his Valet'. It's just that some are more popular than others. We can admire someone achievements while not admiring a behavior.
By ALC67  Feb 10, 2009
5
Yes, pop stars, celebrities, and movie stars are, of course, part of this cultural trend. Camille Paglia attributes it all to Greco-Roman paganism--the cult of celebrity--which never really died out. We do worship certain types of talent more than others, however, and are willing to pay astronomical sums for it. Does the average American know who the really great poets or scientists or statesmen are? Probably not. And some we revere are really not that talented to begin with. A lot of movie stars are really only mediocre actors who can't play anything except themselves. The really talented actors are probably on the stage. It's too bad for young kids that many of the cultural messages they receive are that unless you're Brad Pitt or A-Rod or whoever, you might as well admit failure. Perhaps that's why people like A-Rod take the steroids--to stay A-Rod, to keep that cultural prestige that we seem to require in our very human, very flawed idols.
By juanitoc  Feb 09, 2009
4
Interesting perspective and timing, I just received an email on "Ben Steins Last Column" some may find it very good, I think most. Google it!
By oneblh  Feb 09, 2009
3
That's a very insightful response. And I agree with most of it. But athletes aren't the only ones revered in culture, either ours or in ancient times. Think of Socrates, Plato, Virgil, Herodotus, or in Medieval times Bede the Venerable, Hildegard von Bingen, Chaucer, DaVinci, etc. I think that when someone has a talent above and beyond the norm people recognize it. After all, we have movie stars and TV personalities who earn astronomical salaries even when their productions stink (seen a good Bruce Willis or Sylvester Stallone movie in the past 10 years?). Look at Elvis Presley; a once talented man that died of a drug overdose who is STILL revered by millions (even has a church established in his name!). I think that it's up to parents to discuss things like this with kids and make sure they understand the difference between a persons talents and their behavior and what's more, the consequences of their behavior.
By ALC67  Feb 09, 2009
2
I think what resonates for me the most is why we as a culture continue to revere athletes so much despite their very human failings. The pressure to succeed at all costs surely contributes to the steroid issue. I also think that successful athletes fill a need for physical accomplishment that goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks and the Olympic games. I would not be surprised is this is some kind of left over vestige of warrior culture, which resonates today where real professional accomplishment is more intellectual or social than athletic. People still hunger for the warrior and are willing to forgive them their faults just to have the illusion of some kind of godlike physical prowess in their midst--they experience it as some kind of vicarious thrill, some kind of self-affirmation amid all the complications of modern life that more often than not render us all too human and flawed. Perhaps there's also something biological at work here. At any rate, I think responsible parenting is able to share the above with children while emphasizing at the same time that real, substantive contribution to the human condition involves work of a different nature--collaboration, intellect, and investment in bettering one's fellow beings. Being a doctor such as Dr. Jeremy, for example, is far more important and makes a far more real impact on people's lives than professional athletics. So why do we continue to pay athletes such outrageous salaries? I believe what I've said above might have something to do with it.
By juanitoc  Feb 09, 2009
1
I think situations like this are a perfect opportunity to explain to kids that people, even their heroes, are human and make mistakes and that whether they LEARN from these mistakes is what makes them good people or not. After all, remember Darryl Strawberry? Phenomenal baseball player, but also a drug addict who never was really able to kick his addiction and it destroyed his career.
Just because you make a mistake and it ends up in the headlines does not take away from a persons acheivements. Unless they KEEP doing it.
Remember Chris Farley? Idolized John Belushi SO MUCH he emulated him right up to dying of a drug overdose at the same age. You can idolize a persons talents without going that far in emulating them.
By ALC67  Feb 09, 2009
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