Role Models

Someone recently asked me “What kind of a role model will this President be for our children?”. My answer was, “He will be a role model in his areas of strength”.

Every achiever can be a role model, in specific areas. One person having to be a role model for everything is unnecessary and impractical. For example, I could serve as a role model for optimal health through moderate exercise and eating habits but not for someone who wants a six pack.

I have never understood why a sports celebrity also needs to be a moral role model. A great tennis player could be emulated for her discipline, tenacity and talent. A political leader who surrounds himself with competent people and executes his duties efficiently and effectively in trying to keep his promises can be a role model for leadership. No one is perfect, so the tennis player may not be a great role model as a mother, or the politician an ideal husband.

Let politicians and the sports celebrities be treated like Hollywood celebrities. Give them the same leeway. Counting on them to set all our standards will, more likely than not, result in disappointment.

So how will our kids learn about values, integrity and moral standards? That is the responsibility of parents, family and to some extent, teachers.

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If you are fortunate, you may find one person with all the attributes you are looking for. If not,  it would be prudent to find different people to emulate for important aspects of life – family, health, career, spiritual, financial etc.