I believe in personal responsibility. People should be held accountable for their actions. What brought this on? In two words – rugby league.
During the last year numerous rugby league players have hit the headlines for misbehaving at after match functions. The offences include fighting, drink driving and alleged rape. In most cases, copious amounts of alcohol are involved. The latest incident, where the player was so drunk he can’t remember what he did, involved alleged rape. I think it’s terrible that public figures (who many youngsters look up to) behave in this manner. In some cases the players are young, in their early twenties, receiving big money. The money and fame goes to their heads. The culture in some clubs is that of partying and alcohol, and this doesn’t exactly set a good example.
Some of the public are calling for an alcohol ban. They’re saying all players should be banned from drinking alcohol during the playing season. It’s a stupid idea. Firstly, how are they intending to police the rule? If someone wants a drink during personal time, they should be able to have a drink. I want to know what has happened to personal responsibility? Each player has a responsibility to behave in an acceptable manner. Yes, clubs shouldn’t encourage a drinking culture, but it’s up to each player to behave in the correct manner. They’re professionals and should behave that way.
In another example, New Zealand has a bad record in child abuse. Last year a law was passed, and it’s now illegal to smack a child. I definitely don’t agree with abuse, but I also think this law was a knee-jerk reaction to a problem. It certainly hasn’t made a difference. Since the law was passed we’ve had two or three horrific cases of child abuse.
I believe in personal responsibility. What say you?
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March 18th, 2009 at 4:26 am · Link
Shelley, I agree that you can’t penalize a group for the actions of a few, especially when it involves something they would do in their private time. However, the club most likely already has a policy regarding the public behaviour of their players, and the few who are irresponsible either shouldn’t be allowed to play for a prescribed period of time, or should be removed from the team.
It may be harsh, but if they continue to behave in this fashion, then the team’s reputation suffers and the player’s performance would no doubt suffer as well, in any case.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:32 am · Link
I agree Shelley. It’s the same around here, we have an OHL league which is basically guys in their late teens early twenties, and then we have the college and university kids.
All drinking way too much and misbehaving. It’s okay to drink but think about what you’re doing.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:16 am · Link
Hey,
Maybe we should look at the environment, they grew up in. Were they held accountable for their actions as children? Did the parents teach personal responsibility? I’m not trying to say it’s the parents fault. But how many parents, let their children get by with just about everything. I grew when it was spare the rod and spoil the child. I’m not saying we should beat our children either. However, do parents ever tell their children no anymore. Why is it ever generation seems to be getting worse with entitlement issues?
I’ll get off my soapbox now. I just wish people would take responsibility for their actions and not blame everything and everybody for their mistakes.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:30 am · Link
The problem with the rugby players is likely the very behaviours which work for the team on the field – reckless aggression – doesn’t work so well off the field. Add youth, money and star pampering to the mix, and what do you get?
Personally, I’m certain every generation sings the same lament: ‘What’s the matter with kids today?’ In my opnion, when kids were hit, there was crime. When kids aren’t hit, there’s still crime. There will be crime – even when people were hanged for stealing, people still stole.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:42 am · Link
JK – Part of the problem is that the club doesn’t seem to be enforcing any sort of policies when it comes to behavior, or at least that’s what it appears like.
Amy – it’s not just problems involved with drinking either. Not long ago two tourists were killed here in NZ. They did something incredibly stupid and recovering their bodies involved putting every one of the rescue workers at risk. Some people were horrified when the recovery process was delayed for several days because of the danger. The press blew everything out of proportion. No one deserves to die before their time. No one. But a really stupid decision caused huge problems for everyone concerned.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:49 am · Link
Roberta – I’ll join you on your soap box. I totally agree that correct behavior is something parents should teach their children. Unfortunately, these days, with broken families, core values aren’t always taught. Budgeting and handling money isn’t taught either (another one of my rants
) I’m not sure what the answer is to fix the problem either. I guess each generation has different problems.
Julia – I suspect you are right. There will always be people who do the wrong thing and expect to get away with it. I think we as a society need to look at the real problem instead of coming up with new laws or rules as a knee-jerk reaction.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:58 pm · Link
Hopping onto Roberta’s soapbox, too–I can’t stand when people want it both ways. They don’t want other people telling them what to do (which I get–I don’t believe over-regulation is particularly useful OR effective) but they don’t step up and take care of what needs to be done either. Hello?! Take care of yourself and your own problems and responsibilities and stop expecting the world to give you a everything on a platter! Argh! Not how it works!
Ahem… stepping off slowly now…