Relationship Between Athletes and Role Models

Presenter Information

Kaytlin M. LeMier, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 201

Start Date

22-4-2008 10:30 AM

End Date

20-4-2008 12:15 PM

Student's Major

Communication Studies

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Warren Sandmann

Mentor's Department

Communication Studies

Mentor's College

Arts and Humanities

Description

This study examined the relationship between athletes and their role as role models to youth. The research was conducted through the use of a simple survey to participants that voluntarily and anonymously expressed their views. The study was conducted towards a targeted audience of college students to test the debatable question of the expected roles of professional athletes. The research question was: Do these professional athletes have an obligation or a choice to acknowledge the youth that aspires to be like them and to then act accordingly? The following study focused on the moral development of youth, the potential influence by athletes on the behavior of youth, and athletes seen through media as exceptions to the rules.