We Need to Change the Discourse on Heroism

How the Media Shapes Our Children’s Values

Photo by Mulyadi on Unsplash

“When the will defies fear, when duty throws the gauntlet down to fate, when honor scorns to compromise with death — that is heroism.” — Robert Green Ingersoll

We need to change the discourse on heroism. The media has a significant impact on our children’s values. Often, what they see portrayed as heroic isn’t that at all.

When we glorify violence or drug dealers, for example, we send our children the wrong message about what it means to be a hero. We need to celebrate real heroism instead — things like courage, strength, and compassion.

A famous saying is that you should never meet your heroes because you will always be disappointed. And in many ways, this is correct. It’s true because we are all human and have faults.

There is no such thing as an ideal person. This happens when we dehumanize our heroes. It occurred with my parents, which was very difficult for me. There is a time in life when you discover that your parents aren’t perfect.

And this is good beca…