Role models: a dying role?

By Uthpala Gunethilake

Just what are we talking about here? 

We are talking about heroes, alias role models sometimes a.k.a torchbearers, trailblazers, movers and shakers. Individuals who have achieved the unthinkable in their lifetimes. People who are treasured in people's hearts for their courage, unwavering will, excellence and achievements. People who have had a hand in carrying the human race a step ahead in whatever way they chose. And the words quoted above, belong to a committed hero-worshipper, Sumudu (25), who keeps the universal tradition of venerating role models alive, in what can be termed 'changing times'.

Let's probe the matter further

The need to look up to some one greater and better than us has been there since time immemorial. Therefore, role models have also been around for ages. They are crowned for many reasons. At one end of the stick there are the star performers on stage, silver screen or the playing field, who are adored by faithful fans and imitated in every possible way. At the other end are individuals ranging from religious icons to literary idols to world leaders to innovators whose achievements and ways of life inspire us to enhance our own lives. Whatever the reason for him or her to be held in awe, a role model- nine times out of ten - happens to be more or less a 'perfect' being in the eyes of the follower.

The modern trend

However, Sumudu seems to belong to an endangered minority. Today many of us feel that a role model is not that important. Many seem to have discarded role models from their lives. Or is it that the world has dried up of resources to create heroes?

"You don't really need a role model. If you are strong -willed and self-inspired, then you know how to live your life and what you want to do. If you try to follow all these people who have done great things, then most probably all of us would end up doing the same old things," says 21-year-old Gihan Fernando.

"Also, there seems to be no one in our generation worthy enough to be looked up to," he adds.

The times we live in, daily infuse us with large doses of cynicism, too. Everything seems to have a false core within them, and too many heroes fall when their feet of clay are discovered. As preacher Paul Hurst (held up to be a role model by many in America) said, "I'm not God. I'm a man and a man will disappoint you." 

The media too, has much to do with making and breaking of heroes. Further, the higher someone's image is projected, the greater the fall.

Says Michelle (20) echoing Gihan's words, "I don't know if there is someone so great enough, in our generation specially, to be called a role model. People like religious leaders and great people from history are not always easy to follow. They lived in different times, in different situations and you can't always relate to how they lived.

As for today how do you know if all these people whom they call great, are really great? Their images are made up, half the time blown up, by the media. If you have met a great person - personally, then maybe you can find out for yourself something in him to be followed. On the other hand you might meet a great person who is not at all famous and you might find that he has enough in him to be your role model," she adds. 

Sumudu says however that there are many ways in which a role model can enhance our lives. "You don't have to go to extremes, worshipping the ground your role model walks on. It's simply that you find something in their characters that can enrich your own life and try to live up to that."

Says Milinda Jayaratne (22), "It shouldn't be blind admiration. If it's merely that then you are not going to accept the fact that your hero is human. The day he shows his fallible nature, 'thud' he falls from the pedestal you have put him on. And the sad thing is from that day onwards you will be blind even to his good qualities".

Food for thought

Though you don't necessarily need to emulate someone else to live your life right, a role model can always be a guiding light in times of darkness.

Return to Mirror Magazine Contents