The price of success

Successful people are often held up as role models.  The dictionary defines the term Role Model as a person who is regarded as worthy of admiration and often an example to emulate. 

How are public role models chosen and do they even have a choice in the matter? 

Growing up on Sydney's north shore, I was surrounded by champions in a multitude of disciplines.  I was lucky to have the opportunity to learn from others and discover early the burden of responsibility and expectations that come with being a role model. 

When I realised my ability to influence and inspire others, I acknowledged my position as a role model and accepted it with the knowledge that I would have to answer to those who look up to me.  I have always prided myself on being a positive role model. 

But what about the Paris Hiltons and Lindsay Lohans of the world?  And closer to home, how about our NRL players?  Do these people make good role models?  Do they even consider themselves role models? 

There must be a way that they can be given the choice.  Of course there is a level of responsibility that comes with success in any field but some people just aren't cut out to be role models. 

What do you think?  Does a public life necessarily entail a level of behavioural responsibility to the general public?  Is there an implicit code of conduct to which famous people must adhere regardless of their interest or suitability to the role model position? 

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Recent comments

Education Tay

March 22, 2010

10:16 PM

Public role models are in general chosen by the public, although there are some people that attempt to become public role models.  A choice not to be a public role model is not to be in the public eye or media glaze.  Role models come in all walks of life from lolly pop crossing people outside schools, teachers, sports people and s few business leaders.  Positive role models are less seen and more and more today we see media outlets show negative behaviour some role models. 

Public role models have a duty of care to be positive and influence other people, although the code of conduct for privacy should also be respected. 

Komson

March 07, 2010

02:21 PM

Well Layne, I believe every famous and successful person, be it NRL payers or Lindsey Lohans must have the utmost moral dignity and responsibility to the society.  They are role models and should know that people look up to them.  In the first place, they only became famous because we the fans admire their raw talents not their immoral behaviors.  Would they had become famous if they had portrayed these bad behaviors instead earlier in their quest for success?  I doubt that.  Not even their sponsors or promoters would come close to them.  I guess the point here is such behaviors are either masked early in their career for threats of moral rejection or as a result of breakdown from media pressure and expectations. 

cosco

May 04, 2009

09:26 PM

success always need other things to exchange. 

Miss Thepoint

April 30, 2009

09:31 AM

You guys all seem to miss an important point; role models come from all parts of life, not just sportspeople / celebrities. 

Sportspeople and celebrities are not perfect, but they're distinct from daily life.  Not many of us are "lucky" enough to be exposed to them on a regular basis. 

To this point, the "normal" people we interact with daily are significantly more important role models, and when they let us down, it is far, far worse than some celebrity on tv who gets drunk to much. 

Pedophilic teachers and religious leaders, corrupt politicians and drug-selling policemen.  These are the real role-models that let us down and we should be disgusted with. 

Alex in Hk

April 29, 2009

11:30 PM

I have seen a documentary on your past that showed it was not easy to meet your real birth mother and come to terms with it all. 
You have been a very good role model via sport, but I like the fact this doco showed your human side, and many people outside surfing might have got an insight into how to manage this sort of situation, and that you may have been a postive role model for them if they were confronting similar issues. 
The Lindsay Lohans and Paris Hiltons of the world.. as the parent of a girl now 11, all I can do is keep pointing out that not all famous people are worth emulating. 
Sadly, these two are a product of our times.  Famous for being famous.  Beautiful nobodies. 
The cult of celebrity is a worrysome thing. 

popehelen

April 26, 2009

08:19 AM

I'm sorry Layne, it's not that we expect successful people to be role models, it's just a fact that they are.  Like you say, it's the price you pay.  Some youngsters are not in the market for celebrity type role models, but I fear they are a tiny minority. 
I must say that many people in the category of role models carry out the role responsibly and I include you in that group.  Your success in surfing is matched by your success in encouraging young women into the sport. 

Cynical

April 25, 2009

01:46 PM

If they are, for example, on the national swimming team they have benefitted from a lot of taxpayer dollars, so they should be acting in a way that does not bring the sport or team into disrepute, regardless of whether they are convicted of a criminal offence.  It's part of the trade-off when they take the money and training facilities. 
Footballers' salaries are paid for by the fans and the sponsers, so the trade-off there is to act in a way that does not reflect badly upon the sponsors or set a poor example to the kids who idolise and imitate the players.  It's part of the job and if they don't like it they should get another job.  They are taking the money to do more than play 80 minutes a week.  None of this means they have to be saints, just that the money they take brings some degree of resonsibility.  If Susie O'Neil and John Eales (for example) can do it, so can the rest. 
The Hiltons and Lohans are merely talentless tramps who happen to be rich.  You can't get rid of them, so just ignore them. 

1kimbo1

April 25, 2009

11:58 AM

It all comes down to the players/celebrity profile.  If their sport is their main source of income (from fees, sponserships, endorsements, professional clubs etc) then they become role models for that sport/industry etc. 

The reality is they cant play professionally and not realise they are now public figures, with fans who watch their performance with great interest. 

Drunken yobbos, rapists or druggies are simply not the sort of role models we want our children to copy.  Regardless of their sporting prowess.  Quite the opposite in fact! 

As far as I am concerned if professional sportspeople cannot abide by societies laws, then find someone with equal skills who can.  No one is irreplacable...NO-ONE!! 

If they want to get drunk, fight and/or make a fool of themselves, let them do so at a local level, where media and children arent aware of it. 

Ozzit

April 25, 2009

10:25 AM

Athletes seek the adulation and financial success that frequently comes with top level sport involvement.  That they should wish to set their own measures of what is acceptable behaviour doesn't wash one bit.  A public figure is a public figure - it's all or nothing. 

billy gerent

April 25, 2009

01:28 AM

People have different ideas of what they consider as role models, and as people generally aspire to be successful, successful people are often considered role models. 
Some, like Paris and Lindsay, have no set goals in life so they can wreck themselves whichever way they want for our entertainment, and I feel sorry for those who see them as role models. 
However, elite athletes have to achieve a certain goal in a set amount of time (eg.  next season, next Olympics), and there is an enormous responsibility to fulfil the goal and satisfy not just themselves but also their coaches, fellow team members, fans, and whoever pays for their sponsorship - this makes them worthy of being role models. 
Taking drugs and getting shattered at the pub is one thing, but violence, especially towards women, is not to be tolerated anywhere, role model or not.  Misbehaving athletes should be banned for life and charged accordingly.  There's never a talent shortage in Australia anyway, their replacements, even if not quite up to their standard right now, can be made better with training adjustments and as they gain more experience. 

No matter how good they are, they are disposable, so they better behave and do their best at all times.  If they don't think their character's strong enough to help them stand?  Just.  Quit.  Get a day job. 

BadSax

April 24, 2009

05:45 PM

Nah - I do not think famous people are role models at all.  I have an 11 year old daughter, her morality is guided by myself and her mother and contributed to by teachers etc NRL, political etc scandals do not interest her and nor should they. 

In what way should a league player be a role model?  I played for years and can;t remember thinking of the senior players as anything except better players than me. 

Layne, you are a good role model, not because you are a good surfer but because you are trying to put back into the community, you probably would have done that if you worked at Maccas. 

A person is a role model because of there attitudes and actions, not because they sign a juicy contract and are in the public eye.  If your kids look up to these people as anything other than good athletes then you need to readjust your relationship with your kids.....

And that is my patronising rant for the day! 

Cheers! 

aardvark

April 24, 2009

03:35 PM

Who_Do_I_Represent
April 24, 2009 02:40 PM

Last time I looked, getting drunk was not against the law. 

I assume you can say that you have always acted in the best manner and nothing you have done has been less than perfect. 

Spare me. 

Who_Do_I_Represent

April 24, 2009

02:40 PM

It's not about "role models" its about "being a representative"...... In the end, no matter how you *want* to lok at it, these people are in the spotlight *representing* their country, their city, their club, their sport.  How do *YOU* feel about being "represented" by a vicious rapist, convicted serial killer, and general pathetic scumbag?  Not that all sportspeople are scum-of-the-earth, but where do you want to draw the line?  SERIOUSLY PEOPLE - if they cannot uphold the laws of the land, WHY do we allow them to enjoy the limelight? 

Gj

April 24, 2009

02:25 PM

Of course successful athletes have an obligation to act as public role models.  A lot of athletes at some stage in their career would have been funded by taxpayers dollars (scholarships etc) they, therefore have a duty to act as role models for the next generation.  It is the least athletes can do.  Afterall their success, at least partially, is a result of the public's investment in their future. 

Otherwise pay it all back! 

Wrong question

April 24, 2009

01:20 PM

ALL people should act as role models and live ethicial lives.  No-one lives in a bubble, everyone has some impact on other peoples lives, and everyone should take responsibility for the impact they have. 

The real questions are, what is ethical, and should people who have a bigger impact accept bigger responsibility for their un-ethical behaviour? 

First questions answer - the "Golden rule". 

Second questions answer - absolutely.  But so should the people responsible for that individuals impact, i.e. the media who beat up stories, managers/publicists, etc. 

Deb

April 24, 2009

01:18 PM

Layne, I too live on the northern beaches and have known, seen and been exposed to many celebrities and sporting greats over the years. I was lucky enough to meet you many years ago when you supported Stewart House, the charity I worked for then.  I have seen you out and about during the good old Charlie bar days and never once did I see you behave in an average, drunken or stupid manner.  You have always represented your career and self in a professional and respectful way.  Sports people and celebrities know full well of the exposure that they receive when they succeed in their chosen filed.  It may not be liked at times and something that is endured with great frustration and even pain, yet it is all part of the job.  If you chose to be in public eye through your career you should maintain a decent decorum.  Children, men and women all look up to their heores and the heroes need to understand this and take on the role with care and duty.  I would not want any children of mine thinking that it was ok to get paraletically drunk, do drugs or attack (sexually or brutally)other people when they are out - unlike thier heroes who are strewn all over the papers for ths behaviour. 

Jennifer

April 24, 2009

12:59 PM

If you chose to play sport (or engage in any other activity) at a level which will bring you into the public eye, in this day and age you have to expect that your behaviour in public will be seen and judged. 

You also have to accept that children who are interested in your chosen sport will want to emulate you.  That being the case, you do have a responsibility to behave in a manner which set a good example for those children - for their wellbeing. 

If you don't want that responsibility or don't like that level of scrutiny, keep your participation in that sport (or other activity) to the level of a hobby. 

If you are taking the money, or the publicity, or the praise and adulation of the public, you knew what you were getting yourself into and should behave accordingly. 

freya

April 24, 2009

12:41 PM

Are you trying to set a record for the most boring blog ever written?  My god - say something we've not heard before. 

Stephanie

April 24, 2009

12:38 PM

I agree entirely with NZ!  On one hand, I get annoyed when the media/public praises young athletes for being a success at 16 but then slams them for acting like 16 year olds.  On the other hand, a seasoned athlete can't seriously expect to drink drive and smoke illegal drugs and then expect to be sponsored by a company that only pays sportspeople because it hopes to promote a wholesome, healthy image. 

I also wanted to say that I think you are a great role model, Layne! 

PeterA

April 24, 2009

12:38 PM

It suits many sportspeople to say they want to inspire others or whatever but when their bad behaviour gets them into trouble, they don't want to be a role model. 

I find it tedious that sport and celebrity has become our religion and that we insist on looking up to thugs who chase footballs and behave like rock apes because they haven't anything to do during the week except chase footballs and behave like rock apes. 

Layne has behaved impeccably from what I remember and I'm sure it comes naturally to her and she probably also is smart enough to keep her private problems private. 

It's not hard to keep in line for a normal human being, is it? 

LL

April 24, 2009

12:14 PM

The public expects sports stars to be good role models because their achievements are funded via government grants or have sponsorship deals.  If tax payers or a company has provided $$ it is reasonable to expect good behaviour. 

Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan should be considered horrible warnings! 

Ollie

April 24, 2009

12:07 PM

Well I really don't understand the whole role model thing.  Obviously just being famous doesn't instantly make you a role model.  Just take a look at rock stars.  I think it's unfair for sporting stars, tv personalities and anyone really to be put under so much scrutiny when parents themselves should be the role models.  What does it say about parents if their kids can't aspire to be like them?  Also since when was Lohan or Hilton ever considered worthy of admiration?  At the end of the day everyone makes mistakes and when it comes to the crunch the best role models are the ones that go through an ordeal and come out the other end a better person.  After all, we learn from mistakes and it's better to learn from someone else's. 

Jules

April 24, 2009

11:59 AM

Interesting to think "famous" people can opt out of being a role model if they are not cut out for the job.  Problem is it isn't an option. 
Having just completed a competency handbook with illustrations of good business behaviour I can tell you finding "ethical" business role-models has been a challenge.  It may be that the media prefer to highlight only those who have been caught with their hand in the cookie jar rather then those who make the right decisions. 
Public life unfortunately does entail public scrutiny.  So when they behave like us they get publicly chastised.  Maybe someone should write a handbook for public figures?  Or maybe there should be a mentoring system in place?  I think people such as yourself who take the responsibility could be a good role-model for others who are not mature enough to cope with life in the glare of publicity. 

Brad

April 24, 2009

11:34 AM

As soon as a celebrity earns an income outside their chosen sport, or endeavour from Kelloggs, KFC, as 'the face of a campaign', or a role on a sports show - they are choosing to operate in a role i.e. role model. 
If they don't want the attention, simply play their chosen sport & don't push product or profile. 

NZ

April 24, 2009

11:29 AM

Hi Layne, good topic!  I personally think it's very simple.  If you accept sponsorship dollars, or choose to have a public persona, then you have to accept you'll be a role model.  Players that choose to be private and not accept sponsorship dollars, have more of a right to not expect to be role models.  Does that make any sense?  Cheers

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Regarded as history’s best female surfer, Layne Beachley is a seven-time world champion.  But her drive doesn’t stop at the water’s edge.  She's had success with her Beachley Athletic and in 2006, Layne staged the richest event in women’s surfing.  Recently retired, Layne has turned her focus to investing in Australia’s future by inspiring young women to realise their full potential with her Aim For The Stars Foundation.