Role Models in a modern New Zealand society

It's a curly debate, who is a role model and who isn't.  There is unanimous agreement that in society we do need role models, but there the clarity ends.  So what is a role model (cut and dry version)?

Well doing a Google search reveals that 99.9% of definitions say this:

“a person whose behaviour in a particular role is imitated by others”

 

But that doesn't wash in New Zealand now does it?  So if I were to place Sir Edmund Hilary in the frame it would be fair by that definition above that all young kiwis want to be:

1.  A venerated beekeeper

2.  A daring mountaineer

3.  A humanitarian

or

4.  A Great and honourable Kiwi?

Now if we as a society adore our "Heroes" (and I use that word lightly) then we have to grow up and admire those who are role models for a variety of reasons.

So let's look at two other "role models" (and you'll start seeing a pattern here).  Sir Paul Reeves and Dame Sylvia Cartwright.  One is a role model for Maoridom (and religion) and one a role model for women (and law).  But let’s be clear too, both may not be role models and instead are banners for their roles in their lives and the roles they played in shaping a young nation.

Yes you do see a pattern, good role models are usually very well respected and given due kudos through honours and appointments.

I started of with Sir Ed, a legend.  Now I want to pay homage to probably the biggest role model in our society.  She was a little old lady from way up north and she was the face of Maoridom throughout her later life.  Who can forget her hikoi from The Far North to Wellington walking the walk and talking the talk.  Like Hilary, she worked hard all her life to better her peoples place in a modern society.  Deeds and Effort.

Those two go hand in hand when defining true role models.  Just because you lead your field and get paid more than anyone else you don't get Role Model status.  Yes you receive accolades (and rebuttals) for your standing, but truthfully you do not redefine our society with your actions.  If you get paid to succeed, you are not a role model.  With that in mind where do sportsmen and women and politicians and their ilk stand?

Let's take the stand bearer of New Zealand sport for example.  Rugby Union is littered with Knights of the Realm and some worthy of special mention (Sir Colin Meads and Sir Brian Lohore) but do they feature as role models to the other 50% of the country that doesn't follow rugby?  Well some yes, most no.  So should an All Black currently playing be seen as a role model?  Well yes to some innocent kid with ambitions to be one, but for most no.  They are an individual excelling at what they do, and largely by not how they live.  Too many cases recently where certain sportsmen and women (and ex ones) have made a few critical blunders in their lives and been hauled over the coals by a merciless press for doing such and it is this same Press that holds these people aloft and declares them role models.  They are not and most will never be.  They are icons, yes, role models, no. and as such should be treated as such.

In a society that fosters copycat behaviour it's too easy for the true number one role models in society to say to their kids, be like him/her with your life.  Parents need to take more responsibility for their children’s dreams and ambitions and lead by example.  The first role model is the lasting one and if a kid can't see their father or mother (or relations) as tacit role models how are they going to identify with real ones? 

Sir Ed wasn't shy on being outspoken (Bugger was a no no back then) but he spoke like a true Kiwi.  It's probably fair to say if he hadn't climbed Everest he would have done something else to be in the hearts of all Kiwis, much like Dame Whina and Sir Paul and Dame Sylvia.

Role Models in society should be and generally are very rare people.  Their deeds and manners excel, their lives excel, yet mostly they are very quiet and reserved people, just how we love our Kiwis.  Is that under threat now in our modern society?  Do "most" of the young coming through have tacit and viable role models?  That's a question I think left unanswered.