Last month I read an article that explained that superheroes were not good role models, especially to young male children.
The question and the article were kind of funny to me. To me, the question addresses more than one issue: What is your definition of a hero? What is your definition of a role model? What makes a good role model opposed to a bad role model? Where is the line drawn? What makes superhero so faulty of an imaginary character? Why are your children looking to imaginary characters for inspiration over their own parents?
These are some of the questions that came in my mind while I was reading the article. Personally, I support superheroes and the artist and the writers that create them and their legendary stories. I can definitely connect and get on board with the superheroes (their evolution) of the 2-3 decades. Why peep feel like superheroes need to be perfectly moral, I have no idea. To me the people who expect this have flawed judgement and a disconnection from reality. When I hear the statement that someone doesn't make a good role model, I want to ask that person what their definition of a role model is. I don't know by people expect or have this idea that role models are morally perfect. No matter how much you admire this person you know that deep down they are not perfect. You know they are human just like you. We have these high expectations of what these people should be and represent. Hen they fail to met these expectations then disappointment sets in, along with blame and criticism. We point fingers at people for failing when we barely lifted one ourselves (thats another issue to be brought up later).
Realistically everyone is going to fall short of expectations and for the most part it's unintentional or a by product of too much pressure. We don't mean or want to fail but we do. We don't make perfect decisions. We have choices to make. And we are not meant to accomplish things on our own. Free choice is our gift and it is our curse (if you view it that way).
The "new" superhero is more in tune with reality. You cannot be anyone's role model if you cannot relate to them. These characters have to be flawed. They have to be human. The powers don't take away from their humanity, it increases it... In many instances.
People also fail to see that comics, movies and superheroes themselves are marketable objects. The more out of touch they are with reality, the more they disconnect and become less appealing with the consumer, which means the less money they make. There has to be a balance
The question and the article were kind of funny to me. To me, the question addresses more than one issue: What is your definition of a hero? What is your definition of a role model? What makes a good role model opposed to a bad role model? Where is the line drawn? What makes superhero so faulty of an imaginary character? Why are your children looking to imaginary characters for inspiration over their own parents?
These are some of the questions that came in my mind while I was reading the article. Personally, I support superheroes and the artist and the writers that create them and their legendary stories. I can definitely connect and get on board with the superheroes (their evolution) of the 2-3 decades. Why peep feel like superheroes need to be perfectly moral, I have no idea. To me the people who expect this have flawed judgement and a disconnection from reality. When I hear the statement that someone doesn't make a good role model, I want to ask that person what their definition of a role model is. I don't know by people expect or have this idea that role models are morally perfect. No matter how much you admire this person you know that deep down they are not perfect. You know they are human just like you. We have these high expectations of what these people should be and represent. Hen they fail to met these expectations then disappointment sets in, along with blame and criticism. We point fingers at people for failing when we barely lifted one ourselves (thats another issue to be brought up later). Realistically everyone is going to fall short of expectations and for the most part it's unintentional or a by product of too much pressure. We don't mean or want to fail but we do. We don't make perfect decisions. We have choices to make. And we are not meant to accomplish things on our own. Free choice is our gift and it is our curse (if you view it that way).
The "new" superhero is more in tune with reality. You cannot be anyone's role model if you cannot relate to them. These characters have to be flawed. They have to be human. The powers don't take away from their humanity, it increases it... In many instances.
People also fail to see that comics, movies and superheroes themselves are marketable objects. The more out of touch they are with reality, the more they disconnect and become less appealing with the consumer, which means the less money they make. There has to be a balance
No comments:
Post a Comment