Holding out for a hero

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The importance of role-models will again be on the agenda at this year’s International Men’s Day, on November 19, while, at the same time, we are reminded that true heroes will be supportive of the upcoming 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign.

When we, however, talk about role-models, this does not pertain just to men, even though it is true that many of the social ills that plague our youth are due to a lack of father figures in homes.

The world also needs women role-models in all fields, because the youth can and must learn from both genders.

Sadly, these days, we have role-models in the guise of celebrities who ride buck naked on wrecking balls, who prance about in meat dresses while the world goes gagga, who use drugs as if they are headache powders and who make all kinds of statements that are illogical and absurd, while you also find those who regard themselves as above the law and get into all kinds of domestic disputes.

And then we think they are worthy of being idolised! If we condone such conduct, what are we saying about our society?

Yes, these celebrities are portrayed as demigods who defy laws and morality, setting up their own Olympus on their mighty personal mountain of fame and fortune.

We are certainly not disputing the artistic or sporting abilities of the so-called heroes of this world, but really, what kind of message is being sent to the youth?

It seems the world craves the anti-hero, who is simply a flawed hero, and is, therefore, seen to be much more interesting then the more traditional heroes.

In movies, anti-heroes can be seen to be working on the side of good, but with a tragic flaw, or a horrible past, or for reasons that are selfish and not entirely “pure”. However, all anti-heros must have enough heroic quality, intentions, or strength (physical — including attractiveness — or mental) to somehow gain the sympathy of the audience.

Real life is not so far removed from movies and, as the anti-hero has become larger than life on the big screen (think of characters like Batman), just so the world is leaning towards the acceptance of the anti-hero as modern day role-model.

But is this what we really want? Do we want flawed heroes? Do we want heroes who are supposedly noble or have some noble idea, all the while setting a bad example for the youth of today?

There are countless TV series that are very popular — comedies and dramas — where the anti-hero is lauded.

Such anti-heroes, when we think of the male gender, usually have some deep personal flaws, yet we think nothing of them being womanisers, violent, an alcoholic or simply a rebel who rages against society.

And this is also true of many sport stars who have been implicated in murder, rape and adultery.

Do we settle for such flaws because they make us feel good about ourselves, or are we settling for the anti-hero because we have lowered our standards of excellence?

It remains a concern if we no longer frown upon lewd, crude and immoral behaviour, but encourage the anti-hero to take his place on the world stage.

In the past, anti-heroes, as portrayed in Max Mad, were done subtly, but now they are in our face, negatively influencing the masses.

Our heroes of today are, at best, antagonists when it comes to sound morals, to good wholesome family life and being a beacon of honour.

And then we wonder why the youth these days are beating up on teachers, getting into horrendous fights, joining gangs, raping and pillaging?

Have we ever stopped and wondered if they are mimicking the actions of their anti-heroes?

So many role-models who are seen as anti-heroes are idolised, yet we turn a blind eye to their greed and excessiveness.

Instead of questioning their actions, we condone and support them.

The world strives after money, fame and fortune, no matter the cost, not considering that one pays a price and that such fame and fortune are fickle mistresses.

Remember the Bonnie Tyler song, Holding out for a Hero?

“Where have all the good men gone/And where are all the gods?/Where’s the street-wise Hercules/To fight the rising odds?Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?/Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need/I need a hero/I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the night/He’s gotta be strong/And he’s gotta be fast/And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight/I need a hero/And he’s gotta be larger than life.”

Well, sorry, Bonnie, these anti-heroes are anything but larger than life and, sadly, our white knights have fallen from their high horses.

Back home, here in our own country, where it seems the one-eyed king is leading the blind, we can glean very little confidence from the government or from the police to be role-models.

Recently, Gwede Mantashe compared the political Tri-partite Alliance to the Biblical Holy Trinity. What a role-model for our country and our youth!

Maybe we must just settle for the reality that society no longer wants proper role-models to catch the limelight; maybe we would rather have the chaos and the violence and absurdity of an immoral world.