Sport, Role Models and Responsibility

Where is the sense of responsibility?

We now live in a society which is obsessed by the vagaries of celebrity and we are dazzled by fame and bling . For those people lucky enough to be showered with talent, gifts and money do they ever feel a sense of responsibility to society and themselves?

I want to take in point this weekends sporting action. My elation at Ronaldo's last minute stunner on Saturday at craven cottage was swiftly followed by despair at England's frankly poor performance against Ireland. The coverage of this event was dominated by the historical background to this match, yet the anthems particularly that of England were observed with an outstanding dignity by a crowd who could have (rightly?) chosen to be more disrespectful. Later in the match a big hulking giant of a forward, Danny Grewcock, was given a telling off and sin binned by a diminutive ref. He was obviously annoyed at this but off he went.

On Friday in the Rugby League World Club Challenge the ref berated 2 players for foul play, as they started to complain he simply explained who was in charge and the sanctions which would ensue for their teams if they continued. They desisted forthwith.

Fast forward to The Millen nium Stadium and the Carling Cup Final yesterday. It was a great match until the last few minutes...then what was a case of handbags turned into all out war. These things sometimes happen in sport when trophies are at stake and it's not the fighting that I find frustrating it is the aftermath.

First of all everybody blames the ref. Did he start the thing? Second of all no one but no one accepts any kind of responsibility for what goes on on the pitch in football. Chelsea and Arsenal are both contesting the red cards that were handed out...why?  Both players were involved in violent conduct...witnessed by thousands although you wouldn't think so judging by the reaction on 606 by Arsenal fans.

What I am trying to get at is that there are a section of our more iconic celebrities who seem to think that they as they are immune from the consequences of their actions, that violent conduct on the field of play does not merit punishment.

What example does this set our youngsters who are more and more sucked in by the celebrity lifestyle? It shows them that they don't need to accept responsibility for their actions. The Curriculum for Excellence has for one of it's capacities that all students should be Responsible Citizens. Its going to be a long and difficult task for us educators if todays role models in society do not show the way.


End of incoherent rant!@$%^

Comments

[LETITIAChen26]

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[Adam Sutcliffe]

Mrs D
Thanks very much for your kind comments. I feel it has sewn the seed of an idea. To my mind something like that would be far more worthwhile than a celeb going off on a week long fact finding mission about the poor. Unfortunately going back to school probably isn't sexy enough or wouldn't earn them enough
precious publicity.

[Mrs D]

I don't think that was an incoherent rant at all, Mr S. Unfortunately I have nothing more intelligent to add at this stage than my complete support...

Perhaps there are some celebs out there who would be willing to work on a joint ACforE project with the Scottish Executive in order get young people thinking in a positive way about being 'effective contributors' and 'responsible citizens'? There are a vast number of issues which could form the basis of a successful citizenship project - so many celebs are involved in worthy causes already - it would be great for some of Scotland's young people to have the opportunity to get involved in these things too.

Thoughts?

Mrs D