Gender & the selection of public athletic role models

• Data on qualities of athletic role models (ARM) is scarce
• 80% of ARM reported by 150 participants (M = 75, F = 75) were male
• According to social learning theory (SLT) (Bandura, 1977) people, especially children, are naturally attracted to high status RMs
• Boys have more role models than girls, esp. in childhood
• Men and women seek different qualities in ARM: men = purely athletic, women = personal qualities & athletics
• ARMs had a stronger influence in childhood than in adolescence and adulthood
• The mechanisms underlying the effect of ARM on young people is complex and needs further study

• SLT distinguishes between direct (parents, teachers, coaches) and indirect (pro athletes, mediated via media)  role models
• The process of modelling may not be limited to straightforward imitations from a single model
• Level of influence a single ARM may have on a young person depends on other role models
• Young black men (18-19 years-old), contrary to media assumption, were discerning in accepting or rejecting particular behaviours
• Young players were able to ‘compartmentalise’ bad behaviours of ARM whilst accepting the good
• As suggested in previous studies (Lines, 2001) participants were capable of ‘complex readings’ of ARM.

• Media often casts ARM as simple, one dimensional characters, whereas some (e.g. Gascoigne) are multiple
• Choice of ARM by young people highly gendered
• Media paints young people at vulnerable, gullible and undiscerning consumers of sports media
• Media believe ‘no-one has a more powerful influence than sports stars’ who are ‘eulogized and emulated’ by teenagers
• Little research exists to support common sense assumptions about the interpretations young people make.
• Young people are not necessarily as gullible, cynical and vulnerable as they seem (in the media).
• “Further research…may show that young people can make informed and articulate judgments about sport starts as villains, fools and heroes” (p. 301)

‘It may be strange to cast Suarez, given all his periodic betrayals of a superbly competitive nature, in the role of a hero.’

“He’s a big talent and a big worry” said van Basten (coach at Ajax)

‘Luis Suarez is an example to all of his fellow travellers down football’s easy street’

Example to fellow travellers

‘Suarez put himself in front of the whole country, and because of that Uruguay is going to the semi final.’

Taking one for the team

Putting team ahead of personal affairs

‘With Luis, he’s a real reference for this team, because of what he brings… He has great confidence [and commitment] and that transmits to the team’.

Reference for the team (setting a standard)

With a voice full of sneering incredulity, Savage said that his teammates would have applauded the foul (as I am sure they would). ‘It’s not cheating,’ he insisted.  ‘It’s a yellow card, he takes a yellow card for the team…If you don’t like it, tough.’

Professional must do what it takes to win

Bad moral example for children

Taking one for the team