The mistake of tagging the famous as 'role models'

'Role Model' Taylor Swift with fans (Image: Tumblr)

Who do you consider to be your role model? We have an idea of those we look up - those who set a certain standard that we would only expect from those we come across, both professionally and personally. Particularly on a personal level, we are inspired by some individuals - most commonly a family member or 'celebrity' - and we attempt to imitate their similar steps, and learn their characteristics. According to a recent poll, parents want their children to look up to public figures like Taylor Swift (pictured above), Kate Middleton, Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran, so mums and dads are aware of the people their sons and daughters look up to in 2016.

Having a role model has its benefits. If you ask someone who their role model is, some may answer their parents - for the loving, well-disciplined and hardworking mother and/or father who raised children to create their own success through good grades and hold ethics that can change their world for the better. Meanwhile, for those who have a, say, creative talent, and are rewarded, some tend to publicly dedicate their success to their role model, someone they follow, impersonate somewhat. This would then inspire them to be a role model for future generations.

Being inspired by other people's achievements and their personality is completely healthy, and I can list a few household names who have inspired me to be successful in the line of work I'm at. But my concern at the moment is that we, as consumers of media, tend to pinpoint those with specific job titles as automatic role models. And if they do 'bad' things, or don't represent how their position 'should' behave, they receive specific, special treatment in the public eye. These past couple of weeks in particular, we have seen two individuals in the spotlight who fit the profiles mentioned.

The first individual in the spotlight is Ashley Graham. The American model was chosen to be in the front cover of the most recent edition of Sports Illustrated magazine. Nothing wrong with that, you may think. However, what caused a stir in regards to choosing this particular model was the fact that she is considered 'overweight'.

Ashley Graham front cover (Image: Time Inc)

In the modelling world, there are requirements to be 'suited for the role'. For female models, they stereotypically need to be a certain height and weight. More commonly, these models 'should' wear UK Size 8-10 clothes (or 4-8 in USA), and be tall enough for their legs to be showcased. You see the most talked about British models like Kate Moss (1.70m in height, 47kg in weight) and Cara Delevingne (1.73m in height, 51kg in weight) - that's how a successful, textbook model is meant to look, apparently.

But Ashley Graham, a UK Size 14 and considered curvy, is breaking all the rules. By being on the cover of Sports Illustrated, she is leading the way, inspiring a new wave of 'plus-size' models. Sure there have been 'plus-size' models around for years, but none that has created a debate on both sides of the Atlantic. Former MP, Edwina Currie says Graham is setting a bad example citing that it's unhealthy to be 'overweight' and at the same time, being in the public eye, setting a 'bad' example. Graham has had overwhelming support too, of course. However, we are left with a question - 'What, and how should a model look?'.

It's hard to find a right balance in the 21st Century as a textbook model is so stuck in the past. We have, however, over the past 5-7 years, seen top model bosses to think twice about hiring 'Size Zero' models and are now told to think that 'plus-size' models reflect modern society and therefore, are receiving key recognition. Some may not like it, however, surely we shouldn't be hiring a model by their body shape? Surely they must be hired purely on the merit of being naturally comfortable wearing certain clothes and are happy being constantly in front of flashing cameras?

From people who want to be in front of the camera, to someone who needs to avoid the spotlight for the distant future - footballer Adam Johnson has been in the news for something that has attracted widespread condemnation towards the former Sunderland and England midfielder. Johnson admitted to having sexual encounters with a 15-year-old and was subsequently given the Guilty verdict for such activity with a minor. When he plead to Court he did such act, the North East club sacked him and now not only he faces considerable time behind bars, he is highly unlikely to ever play professionally for a football club again.

Someone who performs sexually with an individual who is below the legal age must be disgraced, regardless of the consent. We have been hearing of cases, particularly since Jimmy Savile's case became public knowledge, of these TV personalities in the 1970s and 80s doing unimaginable acts of sheer selfishness and obscenity - we never want to hear about modern cases.

Adam Johnson signing autographs (Image: The Sun)

However, as the Adam Johnson case was unfolding, many debated about his 'role model' status. Because he's a footballer and watched by tens-of-thousands every week on the turnstiles, getting paid tens-of-thousands of pounds every week in the process, many believe he is by default a 'role model' and that he shouldn't be having such sexual encounters because of this status. It is true to say that sport stars are inspirations for young boys and girls - football has Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as our modern icons and they are being represented as ideal stars to follow because of their talent, charity work and supposed genuine attitude. But should footballers be 'role models' by default?

As humans, we are given the freewill to do what we want. We often spit at the thought of people doing evil acts, but these things happen. We may want to do what we can to reduce the chances of these things happening but regardless, there will always be Adam Johnsons and Adolf Hitlers in our world and while we can't do anything about it, we can start by not having an expectation that these people are 'role models'. A 10-year-old boy for example may look up to Johnson, and because of what the former footballer did, this boy may have in his mind that because his idol did it, it is deemed acceptable, or normal. The easiest thing to do is not say "This is a football and therefore, he's a role model".

The first step of avoiding this is to ensure the child isn't trapped to the thought of doing everything their 'role model' does or says. Allow and teach that child, adult, even the elderly, to follow their own footsteps and be who they aspire to be, and not be secluded into comparisons with other people. I don't believe that models and footballers are 'role models' just because they happen to be in the public eye. They are where they are to put foods on their tables, pay their share of taxes and be their true individuals - and if they do horrendous acts, rightly suffer the consequence.