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Woods Lesson: Be Careful Who You Idolize

Posted on February 22, 2010February 7, 2012 by David Shama

Those who revered Tiger Woods as a role model will hopefully now view celebrities differently. That’s a potential benefit from the sad soap opera surrounding the story of Woods’ infidelity and the suffering he caused his wife Elin and others.

Woods presented himself as a dedicated family person who was deserving of our applause on and off the golf course.  Those who fawned over him couldn’t limit their adoration to his extraordinary golfing abilities.  They bought into him as a total person, believing that he was a hero representing the best of values.

An appropriate perspective could look at Woods and any other celebrity like this: Enjoy and appreciate the gifted skills and performances, and admit you know very little about this person’s behavior and values.

The Woods image fooled people for a long time but that doesn’t make him unique from other celebrities past or present.  Celebrities, including athletes, engage in all kinds of behavior that is contrary to the values of their fans.  If you’re looking for heroes based on values and behavior search closer to home.  Try someone you know, like a dedicated teacher, a tireless volunteer, or courageous person with a terminal illness.

In his apology speech on Friday Woods admitted he used his stature to have affairs and cheat on his wife.  How many other celebrities who have done the same but never been exposed to such public scrutiny were watching Woods in his nationally televised confession?  I have no idea but a cynic might suggest the total is 50 times the number of children they have fathered out of wedlock.

The behavior of Woods is observed by not just adults, but also children who sometimes don’t have guidance in choosing role models.  Unfortunately, what the Woods story says to some kids is that when you’re young, rich and powerful you can mess around on your wife and enjoy various women.  Cheating and dishonesty won’t help a generation of young people already so troubled that high school graduation rates are under 50 percent in American cities.

Let’s hope a better life lies ahead for Woods and those who care about him.  He plans to continue in a rehabilitation program.  Maybe that’s right for him, perhaps not.  The rehab sounds good, makes us nod our heads and say, “Yup, that Tiger he’s really trying.”

But how do we know who the real Tiger is?  Let’s just stop pretending we do and watch him play golf when he comes back.  And when he does return it would be nice if he doesn’t curse on the course, throw his clubs and pout when some fan clicks his camera and breaks his concentration.  That kind of behavior we can observe and decide whether it’s acceptable.

Let’s not pretend to know what our celebrities do at home, in a hotel room, or in a corporate meeting.

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