Heroism

We need heroes in our society, or in any society, because they give us someone to model ourselves after. The average human being, however pushed around or caged in they may be is unwilling to brave the dangers inherent to resolving the problems that plague them. Crime may overwhelm a city, but we do not care until it affects us personally; and even then we only usually worry about whatever facet of it has impact on our own life. We are inherently selfish creatures, and are possessed of a vile need to protect our own before, or even at the cost of, others. 

However, in the image of a superhero we see somebody who is willing to sacrifice themselves in order to improve our lot. Whether this is a fictional superhero like Batman or Spiderman, or a real life hero such as a soldier who throws himself on a grenade to save those around him does not matter. What matters instead is that we are given role models that exemplify what we know we should morally do, but what we often cannot make ourselves do. We see somebody take the initiative and right the wrongs, despite the dangers to themselves. 

A society without superheroes is a society without hope, where the human condition inflicts despair and misery alone. Without somebody, real or fiction, to model our behavior after, we will only continue to behave as selfishly as we can. Every religion is based on this ideal, from Christianity to Buddhism to Islam; we follow the example of someone who sacrificed him or herself for a greater cause, and in doing so we improve the lives of those around us.
These religious heroes serve just as important a purpose of any other role model; they give us somebody to pattern ourselves after. 

We have all had a role model at some point in our lives, and many of us still do. They are what we cling to when we face hardship or a difficult decision. They are the people we think of in dark times, and consider "What would Jesus, or Abe Lincoln, or Jackie Robinson, or even Superman do?” And the answer is the idealized moral choice, one that we see exemplified in another. It is that action, which we see another take, which gives us hope that there can be a choice other than the selfish one, that there is a reason to take the hard path.
The mass media influences our society today in what many should look up and follow their steps to. They create role models for the youth to base their decisions in life so they follow their role model’s actions. “Research on violent television and films, video games, and music reveals unequivocal evidence that media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior in both immediate and long-term contexts” says Anderson, (Anderson, The Influence of Media Violence on the Youth).
This generation lacks leaders that positively impact the youth into doing virtuous and productive actions. The media should expose role models that demonstration good qualities to influence the individuals into following them. Instead they show bad role models for people to follow or for the youth to look up to. Quality a modern day leader should possess, Inspiring words, actions and emotions that propel others to go beyond their preconceived limits. The motives of a successful leader should be genuine and not just for show. Good examples of genuine motives to do good deeds are saints, who fit in the classification of respectable role models to follow. If people were exposed to the saint’s actions by the media today, they might be influenced positively than what the mass media shows presently.
Whether if it is what we should wear, act, eat, or believe in, the media today dubs a certain “normal” to it. Rayuso explains, “Young people are in a stage of life where they want to be accepted by their peers, they want to be loved and be successful. The media creates the ideal image of a beautiful men and women and tells you what the characteristics of a successful person are; you can see it in movies and TV” (Mass Media Influence on Society).
Young people look up to celebrities and their identity is reflected on them. Sometimes it’s a good thing and other times it is a bad thing. Celebrities need to function as a role model to their audience because the society today is greatly influenced by them. The media is everywhere and it is difficult for society to ignore.
The ideal modern day role model should possess different positive qualities. They should possess characteristics of being model for children by displaying a general care and concern for everyone, openness to communication, and executing good examples of how to deal with certain situations. An admirable leader should inspire someone to mimic their good deeds for the community and bring out the best in them. I think the ideal leader for the 21st century will be one who creates an environment that encourages everyone to stretch his or her capabilities.
A role model provides inspiration and motivation to pursue accomplishments. One should treat other how him or her would want to be treated. Treating others with respect no matter where they came from and taking full responsibility for their actions are other qualities. “You’ve got to have the highest ethical standards to be an effective role model, and have to lead, and create an atmosphere of ethical behavior in the society. Having good morals is the main key in being an ideal role model for those looking up to you. Being a role model goes hand in hand with leadership skills and standing up for your beliefs and taking action. Making poor choices on whom you want to admire and be like, many of the youth go through a rough path because of their role model’s choices in life that they choose to follow too. Good successful leaders are needed to transfer people into choosing decent choices while also respecting them. For example, Successful leaders improved the performance of people by not being forceful or intimidating. Good leaders bring out the best in people through trust, respect, and inspiration. The youth should consider looking up to someone who has heroic like qualities instead of what the mass media is feeding to them. Forbes defines heroes, “Heroes are people who perform extraordinary deeds or provide selfless examples. They go beyond what is expected. We live in an age that does not want to acknowledge the hero. Rather, we want to look for people’s flaws. The media focusing on the celebrities poor choices and display it for the youth to see, making it common for them to be exposed to bad choices.
The motives of the leader are important, and should be for pure intentions such as helping others, and not for the public recognition. Many people just desire to look good and do not really work hard to gain the rightful attention they deserve. he media today display celebrities that don’t have the best ethics or choices for the society to absorb from. The mass media tend to show celebrities partying, drinking, and using drugs, which if anything, influence the youth into following the celebs’ choices instead of encouraging them to do productive activities. They also do not hold up certain qualities needed to make an ideal role model, leader, or hero unlike saints. John water explains, “The young do not really have models, except perhaps from the television. They do not even know themselves. It is true because courage is an essential quality in heroism. Heroes have courage to be true to themselves. They are celebrated for their courage, nobility, or exploits.
Our choice of hero / role model reveal what we value, and what is important to us therefore; we should base our choices on good examples seen in righteous models who have a vision and show their beliefs through their actions.