Quote:
Originally Posted by Bird of Prey  If a person emulates or is influenced by the bad behaviour of a sportsperson (ie: drug taking), then you would assume that they would be at the age where they are old enough to take responsibility for their own actions.
In regards to influencing younger people, responsibility should rest with the parents of that youngster to teach them right from wrong. I think people are sometimes too quick to blame outside influence such as elite sportspeople. |
I too think this is an excellent reply.
IMHO AFL players in theory should not be seen as role models. Generally speaking they should be seen as no more or no less than a representation of a cross section of society. Society has both good and bad "pennies" its just a fact of life.
However, in practice they are used by some as "role models". Sporting organisations sometimes for publicity try to focus on the good. However, its a double edged sword.
Where it all unravels is the media generally like to focus on the "bad". Ultimately that sells newspapers or gets rating points. So effectively AFL players or elite sports people are easy targets to be used as pawns in the game of "commercial reality."
Thats then where Birds of Prey reply is spot on! Its time for the parents to step in and say "wait a minute".