Some years ago I came home, two days before my oldest son was to go away to camp, to discover that he had a black eye and cuts on his face. My first emotion was concern, about what had caused these marks… but there was also a bit of: “who do I need to convince that this is my boy and you can’t treat him this way!” However, upon investigation I realized that he had simply had an accident.
He had recently seen a video with a super hero in it, and seeking to emulate that hero, he tied the bottom end of our rope swing to the back of his belt …and it worked …for a minute. The reality of that myth caught up with him, like an acorn caught in the law of gravity.
MYTHS AND HEROES
Let’s think about the concept of myth for a moment. Myths come about because man is seeking to either explain what is going on around him or seeking to enhance the truths he knows exist with a story who’s only limits are his imagination. Superheroes are a form of mythology. Just like the Greeks, the Norse-men, the ancient Egyptians, and yes that galaxy far, far away, these stories were based in the concepts of what their writers perceived the reality of their present to be …and created a ‘story’ of what could have been, or what could be. Yet these myths are grounded in a piece of reality.
Superheroes are no different than that same mythology which we all readily accept. In many ways, the mythology of the Marvel Universe is more well known today than any other myth your parents learned about in school, or to put it a little closer to home, perhaps, more than the religion we say we ascribe to. The reason I bring this up, is to focus on why imaginative men write stories the way they do.
Men write fantastical stories, like comic books and novels to highlight the truths about humanity. Many of these, turn into movies, and Television programs, but the reason they become popular is because of the truth that they often reveal. It is far easier for a man to see an extraordinary man in a costume struggle with his character flaw than for them to face the reality of their wife identifying their flaw, but not offering any solutions to fix it by the end of the episode – even if the issue is the same thing.
Beyond simply watching, or reading about, a superhero working through a character flaw, the attraction to the world of comic book heroes comes from the innate desire men have, to protect the innocent (and not just women).
A boy in his back yard will build a fort. Boys will play with toy guns or swords (and if those are not allowed they will find stick that looks like those things and pretend). This gender tendency does not come from a desire to inflict needless violence upon innocent people, but from a God-given bent toward defending innocent people from “evil invaders.” That’s why they build the fort, train the imaginary army, don the super hero costume. That’s why men write fantastical stories!
“WE ARE MEN OF ACTION…”
Dad… I challenge you to inspire your children! Read to them stories of bravery, perseverance, and courage. Don’t be afraid of them using their imagination to make themselves out to be a hero, or a superhero, or the famous world-changer in their mythical story. Pay attention. The way they imagine, will be great insight into what they will like, love, and be passionate about as adults. Inspire them to be those heroes, and build up their ability to imagine a better world!
You can do it! Inspire your kids today! When they are supported by the one who C.A.S.T.s his love on them, they will believe with all their hearts that they can fly!