Idolization of Athletes

Athletes are the backbone of sports. They are the reason why there is media coverage and news around them. Not many people get to be like them; not many people aspire to be like them. Athletes and celebrities are people too, and they do not need to have people in their spaces everywhere they go. They need time for themselves like everyone else, and I do not blame them for not signing autographs. Some of them complain about why people are in their business when the athletes and celebrities themselves are the ones putting their business out on the internet, acting like everyone will act morally and ethically.

I do have a problem with kids idolizing these athletes. Notice I did not say adults because you cannot convince them, especially teenagers; they will never listen, which is a MUCH, MUCH bigger issue than worrying about a basketball, football, baseball, and hockey game. Grown adults out here prioritizing sports over actual things that matter such as crime, tsunamis, snowstorms, etc.

A selection of these professional athletes and former professional athletes [as well as celebrities] are dating people twice their age that do not care about them. Do you want your child to look up to these same people?

When you reach a level of popularity, you become a target, and many of these people think that it is funny. These people think that it is FUNNY to date someone twice their age, that does not care if you live or die, and you STILL give your hard-earned money to that person; but it is OK for you child to idolize that person? Parents, what kind of example are you setting for allowing that?

Can we [as a society] be more socially conscious and aware? Can we [as a society] be better leaders and communicators? The children are the future and will forever be, and it is a responsibility to ensure that they have all the tools and skills to develop into the best version of themselves.