GIGO

Role Models

If I ever need to put another CV together, I'll list "professional role model" as a skill. Over the last few years I've had lots of well-meaning enthusiasts tell me what a great role model I am -- articulate, involved in science (albeit peripherally), independent, opinionated (in a caring, sharing way) and -- above all -- a woman/wife/mother.

It's easy to cheerfully accept the compliments, but I'm becoming increasingly uneasy doing so. Even when coming from people of the same gender, it can be hard not to sense an underlying tokenism in role model efforts. I recall one individual who, on my ascension to the chair-entityship of the NZ Skeptics, delightedly crowed to a journalist "she's a woman, of Maori descent and pregnant -- how more politically correct can you get!"

In that case, it was just a piece of stirring, but there have been times when I've felt distinctly patronised whilst being touted in the halls of the politically correct. Of course, role models have been around a lot longer than political correctness, but I do wonder how much longer the former concept will last. There seems to be increasing question as to how effective role modelling actually is, particularly when it is assumed that the mere existance of a woman crystallographer role model is enough to inspire girls to take that up instead of crystal reading.

One of the other assumptions that seems to underline role model enthusiasm is that all the effort and attention has to be focused on the group perceived to be "at risk". Thus many role modelling efforts concentrate on groups of girls, without considering that the male side of the equation has to be addressed if any broad, long-term changes are to take place.

Perhaps most disturbing are the results of the few strong empirical studies which have been made of role modelling. These indicate that the evidence for positive, effective, same-sex role modelling having an influence on career or curriculum choice is "ambiguous, inconclusive and unproven".

It would be great if we could correct gender or minority imbalances by merely highlighting the appropriate success stories. Sadly, nothing is ever that simple. It's hard to take, particularly when you've been lauded as one of those wonderful role models.

Vicki Hyde is the editor of New Zealand Science Monthly.