Is there a deeper lesson inside the Tiger Woods cheating scandal?
Should we care about Tiger Woods?
So, Tiger Woods confessed to transgressions (read infidelity and adultery) in his marriage. So he betrayed his wife, he lied, cheated and broke his commitment to her and repeated this conduct with different women. It would seem that his actions were not a “mistake” but a calculated, planned and managed activity over many months.
What was he thinking?
Perhaps to him it was no more serious than buying himself a little fun, a new girlfriend or two, it’s just like getting a new car or boat, right. Perhaps he is viewed as a stud and a hero to be envied by regular men that can only fantasize what it must be like to live a life similar to Tiger Woods. Like the name of Tiger’s 200-foot yacht “Privacy,” should we just forget the story and give him his privacy?
But what do we tell our children who are fans of and look up to Tiger?
How do we teach them character, virtue and other lofty traits? How do we teach our kids basic ethics, and moral behavior? How do we teach them to resist negative behavior and to control their feelings and emotions? No, we are not trying to be the moral police or preach, but how do you explain to your twelve-year-old son what has happened to his hero? Do we say, “See Tiger got caught!” Is that all there is to this life lesson, getting caught? Or, is it just like the Las Vegas commercial? “What happens in Tiger’s bedroom stays in the bedroom.”
My comments
At least Tiger gave us a topic to discuss with our kids. At this moment, he is trying to rectify his behavior with his family. He needs his wife’s forgiveness, as much as he needs ours. However all these guys must realize, Tiger, Alex Rodriguez, Terrell Owens, Ray Lewis, and others, whether you believe it or not, whether you measure up to the responsibility or not, you are role models to our children. Is it time for the sports community, the writers and the commentators to hold our sports heroes accountable for their behavior? Or, is the Tiger story no big deal and just another sports story without social importance?
Your comments are welcome.
John Morgan, PhD
I posted a simple question on the forum. Follow the link just below.
Would it be worse/better if Tiger were caught cheating at the Masters?
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
He is just like his Father!! No big deal!!
His Mother too what do think they were saints!
Get over it!!
Fitz
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:23 pm
very interesting about tiger woods—-I have tried to teach my kids that if you lie or cheat you always get caught. I think tiger’s dad (they were very close) would be extremely disapointed in his son.
good work,
Harry
December 4th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Sounds as if he took lessons from an airline pilot, doctor or a politician!! I’m glad I do not have to counsel his wife. I read she gets $20 million if she stays married to Tiger 10 years. The media is reporting that they are in negotiations for her to get more money and to reduce the number of years she has to stay married to him.
Sounds like she is the smart one, and he is the dumb one.
Like most men, he was thinking with the wrong head and it will cost him
plenty.
Signed, PN
December 7th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
This lesson is timeless and will be repeated over and over and over. Essentially most people aren’t happy or content. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, money, power, attention, shopping or eating…we all “use” something to sedate and or distract ourselves. As a parent, i share my experience, strength, and hope, with my teenagers. I share my experience that people are frail and flawed (i’m included in this description). This is how we start, this is our natural state…but that doesn’t have to be who we are. Tiger’s actions are a good example to learn from. His actions give me and my family an opportunity for non-condemning discussion.
December 20th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Fantastic work. You have gained a new reader. I hope you keep up the good work and I await more of the interesting posts.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Great comment, and im glad someone will have a good, open and honest communication with their kids about life. It nice to see how someone can take a negative or what seems like one and turn it into a spring board for learning.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Would it be better/worse if Tiger were caught cheating at the Masters? For whom? For Tiger, the Masters, or golf?
Tiger is BIG, and he would not escape the publicity in any case. But, golf has not been greatly affected in any way except by the absence of Tiger. Golf, and the Masters, will go forth as if Tiger were out with a long-term injury. Golf lost a star (for awhile) but will muddle on with its remaining headliners. Sure, the tournaments would make a little more money with the prospect of Tiger trying on the winner’s jacket, but golf will easily survive.
But, it would be worse for golf if Tiger transgressed while at the Masters — especially if other players could be brought into the story. Then he taints the sport! The domestic framework is gone, replaced by the clubhouse. What, it is then asked, goes on at these privileged events far from home?