I have not read one article about the Tiger Woods affair (no pun intended). I’m not interested. I can get along just fine without examining the underbelly of Tiger Wood’s personal life. But, I have heard the noise. It’s impossible to avoid.
The Tiger Woods situation prompted me to consider, when should a public figure’s personal life matter? I came up with two conditions. First, does the person hold a public trust? Second, has the person’s personal conduct compromised this trust?
One could argue that Tiger Woods is a role model. In that sense, perhaps, he holds a public trust. Some athletes conduct themselves in a manner that does deservedly elevate them to role model status – Jackie Robinson, Jim Brown and Arthur Ashe come immediately to mind.
As a general rule, I don’t look toward celebrities and athletes as role models – not even for my children. But, for sake of argument, I will accept that Tiger Woods is a role model. We all are within our spheres of influence. Some of us are just known by a wider audience. Still, role model does not constitute a public trust.
Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina does hold a public trust. His behavior – traveling to Argentina to visit a lover – compromised his ability to govern in a very practical way. Reports at the time suggest that few if any people, including staff, knew where he was or how to contact him. Had a crisis emerged in South Carolina he would have been AWOL – an offense worthy of a court-martial in the military.
I don’t care whether the governor reconciles with his wife. If he were a friend, I would counsel him to try. And, at a basic human level I hope he does because I believe marriage and family are important. But, it’s none of my business.
The citizens of South Carolina, however, deserve to have Governor Sanford held to account. His personal conduct compromised the public trust for which he is a steward. That matters.
When do you think the personal conduct of public figures should be of public interest (beyond the gossip pages)?
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Picture Credits: Tiger Woods by Flickr user Keith Allison