hen you’re a
kid, picking a
favorite hero is
a no-brainer. As a child, I was a fan of Spider-man, as was my oldest son. When he was a toddler, my seven-year-old loved Batman so much he wore a mask and cape EVERY DAY for more than a year. It’s easy to see why: Superheroes exhibit the traits we all hope to have: Bravery, Determination, A dedication to serving others. Their origin stories demonstrate an ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges to triumph over evil in its many forms.
Science shows that superheroes really do inspire greatness. A 2016 study led by Rachel White of Hamilton College and Stephanie Carlson of the University of Michigan, titled “The Batman Effect,” shows the power of superheroes to inspire kids. In the study, young children demonstrated increased perseverance skills when asked to imagine themselves as a favorite character.
But as you grow up and move past the comic book superhero stage, who do you consider a hero?
W
Photo Credit Josh Hild