Steve Irwin was a Role Model for Men and Boys

Steve Irwin was a great person and he exhibited what I perceive as the characteristics of man that I love – compassion and courage. We see men depicted these days as unfeeling and violent, I see this as so far away from the functional, normal, healthy men to whom women look and respect. Steve Irwin was very popular in Australia and inspired many people about nature and to not fear it but explore it with enthusiasm. He didn’t exploit nature, although some would say he did in his shows, I didn’t get that feeling, I felt he was passionate about it and saw it in relationship to himself. He was a passionate environmentalist and gave people insights through his shows at the Australia Zoo into the amazing world of crocodiles, these prehistoric creatures, to be loved not feared. Kids would have loved watching and would be more inclined to explore and not fear nature. I recall his wife Terri saying he used to get very down about how nature was treated, its slow destruction. There were times he didn’t want to live. I can understand that, when we see the way nature is being slowly destroyed for profit, we don’t flinch when another species is extinct. That is important, extinction means never to return. We are so disconnected from the natural world. I remember having an insight last night where I could see the damage human’s inflict on nature, is really about their own self destruction. Everything I feel is a mirror. How we treat people, animals the natural world is a reflection of how we see ourselves. When you feel that love of life, it has to effect how you treat the world. I don’t hate anyone, I really don’t feel it, I get frustrated but hate is too strong a word. So for me, life is a journey to be explored.

I sometimes reflect on Steve and hear myself say ‘crikey’, always reminds me of him. I loved his laid back attitude and friendliness. He wasn’t standing at the bar like a drinker, rubbishing women, he liked people, all round. That is the sort of man I’d like to see more of. He was positive, enthusiastic and loyal to his family. Let’s face it, we all want that. Sitting at work doing someone else’s bidding, not Steve, he was living the dream. We can all do that when we have the courage to try. I am doing it now traveling Australia on a shoestring. When we face what we fear, which is what most men want to do, they want to quest. When fear is faced men grow in courage. The same applies for women, but the popular culture depicts men as the adventurers. Women do get tied up with children, although those of us free, do like the adventure, the challenge, to fix things, to explore and to be strong. So it is something in our human nature. The key is to do this in a positive way that harms no person or thing. When we get violent we lose ourselves and respect for ourselves. Real courage is in facing yourself. I think Steve was a good example. He was also a great family man and apparently spent so much time with his children. I so wish to see more father’s doing that. Many may say they don’t have time. I feel then question the system that keeps you away and make changes, be the change yourself, find a way to be with your children. You are a god to them and they learn from you. You are the creator of the future through your actions today. It takes as much courage to wrestle a croc as it does to wrestle relationships. The latter requires more I would suggest. To face the issues and overcome problems and learn to express emotions and work together. This is critical for happiness of yourself and children.

So find your courage, live your dreams and be kind to animals and people. Then sit back and watch the world change.

http://www.biography.com/articles/Steve-Irwin-189158

Steve Irwin Biography
popular name of Stephen Robert Irwin
( 1962 – 2006 )

Wildlife expert, conservationist, television show host. Born on February 22, 1962, in Essendon in Victoria, Australia. Part wildlife expert and part entertainer, Irwin became world famous for his television series, The Crocodile Hunter, and other nature programs. While he had no scientific degree, he grew up studying and caring for animals at his parents’ wildlife park, which is now known as the Australia Zoo. He first learned how to catch and handle his beloved crocodiles from his father and once received a python as a birthday present.

Irwin met American-born Terri Raines, who in was in Australia on vacation, in 1991. The couple later married and spent part of their honeymoon filming crocodiles. This footage became part of their 1992 Australian television show, The Crocodile Hunter, and the two worked together on the program. Four years later, the series was picked up by the American cable network Animal Planet. At the peak of its popularity, the show aired in more than 200 countries.

In each program, audiences were often spellbound by Irwin’s dangerous encounters with animals. He thought nothing of tangling with deadly snakes, spiders, lizards, and, of course, crocodiles. In addition to his hair-raising adventures, Irwin considered himself a wildlife educator, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for animals with his viewers.

Always in his trademark khaki shirt and shorts, Irwin became a well-known figure in popular culture. He even had his own catchphrase—”Crikey!”—an Australian expression of surprise or excitement. There have been countless parodies and spoofs of the famed adventurer—even The Simpsons and South Park featured send-ups of Irwin. He wasn’t afraid to poke fun at his image as an energetic naturalist and showman. Irwin appeared as himself in the 2001 film Dr. Dolittle 2 with Eddie Murphy. The next year Irwin and his wife starred in their own film The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course.

Irwin occasionally drew criticism for his stunts. Some said that he was exploiting the animals that appeared on his shows. He stirred up even greater controversy in 2004 for feeding a crocodile while holding his infant son. Many were shocked by the images of Irwin and his son Bob with the snapping crocodile and accused Irwin of child endangerment. Irwin was never charged in regard to this incident and stated that his son was never in harm’s way. He grew up in a zoo environment and wanted the same for his son and his daughter Bindi Sue.

On September 4, 2006, Irwin was working on a new program, filming at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Snorkeling near a stingray, he was pierced in the chest by its barb, which hit his heart. Irwin died of cardiac arrest shortly after being stung. Stunned by the news of his sudden death, people around the world mourned his passing. Many left flowers and notes at the Australia Zoo, which he and his wife ran, taking over for his parents. Others posted messages expressing their grief on the Web. Wildlife experts, such as Jack Hanna, noted that Irwin was a great conservationist.

Irwin made many contributions to the field of wildlife education and conservation during his life. He ran an organization to rescue and protect crocodiles and supported numerous other animal charities. Many of nature’s dangerous creatures lost their greatest champion the day Irwin died.