For reasons I don’t know (I haven’t asked), my friend is assembling a list of contemporary male role models:
I’m to come up with a list of a role models for men that meet the following criteria:
- 25-49
- Well-educated (university or higher)
- Healthy (so, Dr. House and any other drug-addicted, alcoholics or commitment-phobes need not apply)
- Work hard, play hard
- Above-average income
Specifically, we’re thinking of well-known touchstones, so TV and film characters or actors, or popular musicians or politicians. In researching this I’ve come to the very sad conclusion that men don’t have very strong role models these days. Here are a small collection that meet the specs:
- Matt Damon
- George Clooney
- Brian Griffin (yes, I know he’s the dog from The Family Guy, but sadly, he’s one of the more balanced characters I’ve found)
- Lance Armstrong
- Jon Stewart
- George Stroumboloupolous
- Al Gore
- Justin Trudeau
- Barack Obama
- Roger Federer
- Matt Lauer
- Anderson Cooper
- John Mayer
Personally I think Stroumboloupolous is a dork, but that’s just me. And I don’t really know what Justin Trudeau does, so I can’t say whether I admire him.
Who are men that I admire? Good question…hmmm…
- Trevor Linden – Would eat his heart for the team, and great in the community. Doesn’t have a university degree, though.
- Gordon Downie – Smart, poetic dude.
- David Suzuki – Obvious choice, but he’s about twenty five years too old.
- Most of the cast of The West Wing. If I had to choose, it’d be Rob Lowe’s character, speech writer Sam Seabourn. They’re smart, bloody articulate and chock full o’ integrity.
- A bunch of film directors and writers (Spielberg, Scorsese, Mamet to name a few) most of whom are too old.
- Clive Owen – He’s dead cool. Does he work hard and play hard? I have no idea.
- Malcolm Gladwell – Super-smart and Canadian.
I’m not sure I’d, you know, model my life after any of these guys, but I admire them.
Who are your male role models?
DarrenBarefoot.com 
John Cusack. Tom Hanks just turned fifty this summer. Jeff Probst from “Survivor” seems like a decent guy. Clinton Kelly from “What Not to Wear” has style and wit. I don’t know much about Rupert Everett’s personal life other than he’s gay, but he’s dashing. Jet Li. Keith Olbermann. Ian Hanomansing. Rick Mercer.
See? No trouble.
Gore doesn’t qualify, according to wikipedia: Albert Arnold “Al” Gore, Jr., (born March 31, 1948) is an American politician, teacher, businessman, and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States in the Clinton administration from 1993 to 2001.
Al Gore’s over 50, sorry 🙂
The criteria seem a bit weak. I’m 25-49, healthy, university educated, with an above-average income. I work hard, though I don’t know if I play hard. Am I a role model? 🙂
Chris: I don’t know, are you a ‘well-known touchstones’?
Bernard Lord
Dan Savage (he’s blunt and outspoken)
Jeff Healy
Paul Gross (does he meet the age requirement?)
Seth (the graphic novelist)
Steven Colbert
Out of curiosity, what does being well-educated have to do with being a role model? Is there a particular reason for this requirement?
I don’t think you should have criteria like education and salary when identifying role models. I know some people who haven’t been to university but are good role models when it comes to healthy living, good manners, and helping in the community.
For the purposes of limiting it to the criteria mentioned I would say Michael Schumacher, Les Ferdinand, Ian Rush, Seán Óg Ó HalpÃn, Mick Galwey, and Jamie Oliver. The names you don’t recognise are well known in Ireland.
Michael Shumacher is a cheat with no honor and leaves a tainted legacy, not a role model imho.
Second Cusack, Clooney and Owen though.
Jon Stewart for sure. Funny, smart, irreverent, and good looking to boot.
Good list, but I cringed when I saw Roger Federer up there. So arrogant!! My GOD I’d love to see someone consistently beat him. I’ve got my money on Nadal in a couple years.
Stewart, Colbert, Brian Williams, Jason Kottke, Seth Godin…
How about Jürgen Klinsmann, former coach of the German national soccer team?
Darren, why do does your friend want someone whose educated and with an above-average income as a role model?
Tom Silva.
Most sportspeople cheat (sorry is bending the rules the correct phrase) so discounting Schumacher on that basis is harsh I feel.
My hero and role model is Mike Holmes of Holmes on Homes. I’ll never be a contractor or even a competent handy-man but I just think that guy is great. He doesn’t put up with any BS and he stands up for the little guy.
I think he’s too old, and I don’t know quite how many of the other criteria he meets, but I’ve always looked up to Bob Geldof. A bit rough around the edges, but talented, devoted, intelligent and humanitarian.
Um, Brian Griffin?
True, he’s the most balanced character on a cartoon full of dysfunctional idiots.
But more to the point, he’s an alcoholic. Not that I watch the show, or anything … unless it’s on.
The first words I think of, in considering who I admire, are “faithful and constant”. With the caveat that “constant” doesn’t mean “rigid”.
It’s a relief to hear someone else use the “D” word about George S.
Brian: I can’t really say, though it involves marketing.
Let’s trek back to the original list. Lance Armstrong? I thought he was under suspicion.
I don’t consider him a roll model any way.
And, going back to the criteria, what consistutes educated? Rick Mercer didn’t compelete high school, so where does that put us now?
Well I’ll be, I don’t see Tom Anderson on the lists! Better known as everyone’s first “friend” on Myspace.
-Born in 75,
-uber rich after selling out Myspace for $580 mil
-his well known photo shows that he is obviously in good shape and looking pretty hot with that winning smile…
Need I say more?
Anyway, I’m being a bit facetious, because I’m really with those above who question the education and money things. Jung himself said that if anyone wanted to really learn anything about humanity they would do better to hang up their lab coat and go out into the world and really live. Any guys out there wanna go be Swiss family Robinson? 🙂
My own real heros are old poor guys and dead guys like Ghandi, Thich Nhat Hahn, Mandela, Schumacher (writer of Small is Beautiful), Goethe, R.W. Emerson. Rumi too, but I think he was wealthy. Anyhow, I’m probably just biased cuz I’m poor too. 😉
Tom? That’s interesting… I never would of thought of him. But I guess he is a good role model, not the BEST but good.
I don’t know who I would say is a good male role model right now (in the media).
I came upon this website because I am writing a four page essay on “How Has the Traditional Male Role Model Changed in the Last Twenty Years?” and I need some resources.
I guess he’s looking for male role models in his age group, so my role model doesn’t apply. That is, my father just turned 60.
When I saw your web page and the criteria, I was a little disappointed. I teach a Positive Male Role class and when I saw your idea of a role model I was not surprise, but sadly disappointed.
A role model is some one that demonstrates positive ways of thinking and acting and passes them on to those around them. The word “model†is the key to the whole concept. Why are they models? Not because of there socially or economially status although people idolize those characteristics more then they should. Sure they may be looked at as models because of some of theses factors but, is that the reason you would choice some one as your model. Only the rich and arrogant give them self awards for throwing there chump change to the poor and needy and then plaster they smiles over every magazine and TV about how they gave there dresser change to the poor and in need well thank you for furthering your agenda threw other suffering, there’s a role model. Model = gives back to community even when he has little to nothing, demonstrates values to other around him, and passes on positive ideas and rases others self esteem that surround him/ her.
Jeff, you’re point is well-taken, however, I think what Darren is referring to is the lack of positive male role models in the media. We’re all well aware that positive male role models exist in many of the communities we live in. And these people definately exude certain qualities: leadership, intelligence, positive thinking etc. But you can’t discount the impact that movie stars, public figures and celebrities have on the young growing up, especially considering how much T.V. and movies they tend to consume. I know I did. That’s what he’s getting at. And this is something I definately agree with. Somehow, the media in the fifties, sixties and seventies was better able to communicate basic notions of manhood through the characters they depicted. Let’s take a look at some of the stars who dominated during this time–
Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Yul Brynner, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper–just to name a few.
These guys were traditional, strong, silent types that you don’t see nowadays. At least, as much. I think the reason for this is the fact that Hollywood has reached a pinnacle in liberalism and feels that any screenplay or storyline that showcases manhood is somehow suspect or unfairly alienating to women. Now, the only depictions of men you find are either A) Lovable, but dumb himbos B) Obnoxious, beer-guzzling, chauvinistic men C) Meak, hen-pecked husband types. These portrayals of men are cliched and demeaning. And they’re damaging our youth. Even young men are affected; they dress like overgrown children. Just think when was the last time you saw a movie that really captured what it means to be a man–doing the right thing, being smart, staying strong in times of turmoil? It’s always some far-fetched, action-thriller involving assassins and guns. It’s like watching a comic book now. Where are the real-life situations represented, but from a man’s perspective and how he deals with them? “The Wrestler” was an attempt at that. But that’s about it. It’s something more guys should be speaking up about.