Deviance, Athletes as Role Models

I would agree with Barkley parents should be role models more than athletes should be role models. Kids are with their parents more and will see more of what their parents do, so parents should strive to act in ways that they would want their kids to act. Athletes are going to act in a number of different ways, some of which aren't always the best. I think that it is okay to think of athletes as role models as far as the way they play the game. I think it is fine if a kid looks up to an athlete that plays the game hard, yet isn't an outstanding person, if the kid realizes that the athlete is not an outstanding person and doesn't try to model the way he lives his life off of the athlete, just they way he plays the game. Role models are people that others look up to, and try to imitate. That being said I think that there are different types of role models. There are role models as far as being a good person are and there are role models on the athletic fields. Sometimes there are cases when a player can be both types of role models. I think Derek Jeter is an excellent example of someone who is a good role model on and off the field. However, I think it is important to make distinctions between players on and off the field because most times I would say that players can be great role models on the field, but not such great role models off the field and kids need to be aware of this and know that it is okay to not like the person and instead just like the player or the way they play. If I was a parent I would stress to my kids the idea that they can think of a player and the way he plays as a role model and try to play like that certain player, but I wouldn't allow them to try to imitate the way the player acts, if he does not act with great character off the field.
I think when athletes over-conform to the norm it can be dangerous because, as with the football cases, they can injure themselves. Athletes as well as coaches need to be cognizant of what is most important in life and realize when they might be hurting themselves and preventing them from leading happy lives in the future. If I were a coach I would make sure they realize that the sport is not the most important thing in their life, and that they know exactly what is at risk.