Teenagers Should Not Have Heroes

Teenagers should not have heroes, even though classical thought assumes the need for role models that excite and guide the youth. The harsh reality of teenagers’ lives in modern approaches draws a far more desolate picture. Susceptibility towards impressions from adolescents meshed with the constructed images of public figures and the constant drumbeat of media scrutiny can be dangerous in alienating and posing unattainable expectations and the tendency to spread destructive behaviors. Understanding why adolescents should not permit themselves to have heroes requires a look at the landscape in which today’s adolescents are tasked with navigating their formative years. Today’s teen is, put bluntly, a digital native born into an information world that lies at their fingertips. Scrolling through Instagram feeds produced with immense care and attention, teens click over polished YouTube videos and consume bite-sized morsels on TikTok. Under such conditions, it does not take too much effort from a teenager to fall in love with a public figure through a rather selective and misleading portrayal of his or her life and accomplishments.

Indeed, the article “Why We Should NOT Have Heroes” by Dr. Rob Bell unmasks the dangers of hero worship. He penned about how he met his idols in their person, to find disappointment and disenchantment in returning home (Bell). This is genuinely a teenage experience. When youth places the tag of hero on somebody’s head, then in the minds of the youth, they create a sort of ideal image of that particular person that real human beings, with all their flaws and complexities, can never keep pace with at any time. The modern media landscape is no less unyielding to sensationalism. Those same agencies who pedestalize these icons equally hasten to topple them and publicly expose the frailties, mistakes, and personal crises these heroes suffer from, allowing everyone to point fingers. Such exposures are harmful not only to teenagers emotionally invested in that persona but also can breed cynicism or, even worse, complete loss of faith in role models altogether or positive rationalization of negative behaviors exhibited by fallen heroes.

Think about a teenager who idolizes a famous singer who contributes to societal causes and maintains an excellent public image. Such may prompt the teenager to become a musician or join volunteer activities, perhaps more positive outcomes of having a hero. However, then that same performer is later embroiled in some scandal over substance abuse or unethical behavior. So, the teenager is left trying to reconcile his or her hero’s actions against his or her evolving sense of right and wrong. This can be acutely disorienting and may damage a young person’s sense of right and wrong.

This practice of having heroes could also weaken the realms of growth and self-discovery that every teenager needs to go through. The energy spent following their idols might divert youth from finding their unique talents, interests, or values. That energy spent following and defending heroes would have been well spent on personal development, critical thinking, and self-identity building. Instead, we may want to let our teens have heroes but teach them to respect the achievements of others without setting people on pedestals. As Bell said in his article, it is valuable enough to recognize quality in people without setting them up as heroes. This way, one may learn about other people’s good things and not expect too idealistic a view of human nature. We should also raise heroes within every teenager, such as Bell’s son, who shows inadvertently with his Batman mask. This will make the young resourceful and resilient to impact their sense of personal ethics in taking over challenges that life may have in ways without needing any outside heroic figures.

In conclusion, the impulse to want heroes can be rather logical and constructive, but it becomes far more complicated and potentially harmful for the modern teenager. Discouraging hero worship and instead encouraging critical thinking, reflection, and personal development can help teenagers bloom into well-rounded, resilient people who can manage their strengths and weaknesses, both in themselves and others. In doing so, we arm them not only to face the world as it is but to become that type of person who might inspire other heroes who are untouchable but real people, flawed, and ultimately human.