Young Professionals : Does Mauritius lack role model?

Sociologist Robert K. Merton coined the phrase “individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires.” Young professionals usually idolise and imitate professional athletes or entertainment artists. At international levels, we have undoubtedly the best role models. However, many young people argue that they do not have any local role model. 

Samiksha Ram : “We question the personalities we have”

Samiksha argues that since the independence of Mauritius, the people of Mauritius have witnessed the evolution of many great personalities, among which are politicians, authors, artists, athletes and others but with the recent cases on politicians and scandals, we wonder, ‘Are these the people we idolised?’ “For the past four decades, we have seen the same politicians, promising a brighter future for the youths. If today there aren’t enough role models for the youths to consider as anchor point, the fault also lies in the disproportional distribution of finance and recognition in fields other than politics. It is now almost apparent that the foundation by the father of the nation, SSR, has been shaken. If you have good looks and wear lipstick correctly you are taken for the job, if you have enough money to buy the position then it is yours, all this to say that our talents, qualifications, merits and principles are not always taken into consideration,” says the university student. 

Zakil Tarsoo : “Lack of role model in politics”

Co-founder and president of NGO ‘Zeness Exprime Toi’ and also the Ambassador of World Literacy Foundation Mauritius branch, Zakil states that Mauritius does lack role models in the political area, however in the voluntary sector members of NGO and trade unions, we do have many role models who may inspire our leaders of tomorrow. “when it comes to politics, we have a crisis of role models whereby the common man can notice that a majority of our politicians are not ready to work for the betterment of the Mauritian citizens before their personal advantage. Most politicians are not trustworthy and their actions clearly demonstrate so. Our current leaders cannot be portrayed as role models.” Nonetheless, in the voluntary sector, there are some role models in Mauritius, says Zakil. “Social workers like Salim Muthy, Dr Maharaja Mahadewo, Ashok Subron, Jack Bizlal, Mohamad Goolam, AlLy Lazer and Eddy Sadien, among others, have been fighting for the welfare of the population since long.”

Agileswaran Durkka Darshan : “There is lack of role models in Mauritius”

Management Support Officer Darshan agrees that youngsters in Mauritius lack role models in their life. “In countries like India, Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam is still the role model for Indian youngsters although he is not in this world today.  Mauritian youngsters truly lack ambitions and perseverance in their lives, which has led to the inability to choose their role models.  The responsibility also falls on older generations of the country who do not really provide the necessary incentives for youngsters to fulfil their ambitions.  The culture of role models is really on the verge of extinction in Mauritius due to lack of discipline, perseverance and the need to achieve among youngsters. It is high time for Mauritius to create certain perfect role models for the new generation for the betterment of the nation on moral grounds.”

Swaraj Ram : “We do have role models”

IT Administrator at African Union Commission, Swaraj Ram believes that role models can be instrumental in developing career aspirations, educational goals, and consumer behaviour.  “In Mauritius, we do have many role models but there is a lack of platforms and they are not given opportunities to prove themselves. This is why we lack role models in Mauritius. The potential role models go abroad in search of better lives.  Besides, many of us know teens who emulated the wrong role models, people who were detrimental to their lives.  Yes, for some, these people are role models too!”

Shika Neha Damry : “Role models can be either positive or negative”

During the course of life, an individual needs a role model, states Shika. “By looking at the various recent incidents happening in Mauritius, I wonder if role models really prevail positively in society or not. What we get to observe in Mauritius is that there are more and more cases of juvenile delinquency happening. The main reasons for this are decline in traditional extended families, barriers in communication, sources of distraction for children, negative media portrayal, peer pressure influence and the secondary agency of socialisation, that is school where labelling, prejudices and teachers’ attitude have an impact on people’s lives. Role models are considered to be very crucial. The authenticity is that role models can be either positive or negative. This impact on individuals as well as the healthy society mainly depends on the hands of the person living in it.”