Does the world need heroes?

The contemporary use of the word ‘hero’ bothers me. Where I live (Australia) I often see sports people being described as ‘heroes’. I don’t believe playing football well or being able to jump high or lift a great weight makes you a hero. A skilled sports person and perhaps a role model (in some but not all cases) but not a hero.

I just did a very quick search for the definition of the word ‘hero’. This is what I found. “A man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength” (WordWeb). Not a quality dictionary I admit, but the idea that only men can be heroes also disturbs me and that’s just for a start. I think we do still need people who display courage and sufficient strength of character to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Those ‘heroes’ appear in all walks of life and are certainly not only male or nobility.

Another definition was “Someone who fights for a cause”. We definitely still need people who will fight for a cause. They may be small, quiet voices that very few people hear but they put themselves out there to try to change something they perceive as wrong in the world. It might be fighting a big corporation who is polluting a river, or fighting for justice for people who were prescribed a drug that did them harm but nobody is acting to help them. It might be a doctor who goes to a remote region to provide healthcare that saves people’s lives. It could be a woman who works with rape victims or victims of violent crime.

So yes, we need heroes. People who quietly get on with righting things that are wrong in this world. Real heroes are probably not well known though. They are busy getting on with their ‘heroic’ acts and not looking for glory and they are very likely to be poor, are unlikely to be of noble ancestry and most definitely might be women or children.

I prefer Quality Street myself.

My definition of a hero is someone who makes the world a better place for someone else. It can be done anyway you want.

I prefer ” role models” over “heros.”
I think everyone is a hero in their own way. We have all done some heroic things in our lives, and the everyday “hero” is far more important than some puffed up, larger than life, celebrity hero.
If you asked the frog I rescued from my washing machine drain hose last week, I’m sure he’d say I was his/her “hero.” lol

I do. I have been through probably the worse two years of my life, in terms of depression, sadness and well frankly I just wanted to give up. I have Bipolar II (Which I am told is different to Bipolar I, in that I have a mood disorder.)

I am prone to bouts of agitation, aggression and anger. (Not unwarranted, but still not excusable).

Hardly anyone stood by me. I have lost faith in humanity, bar a few. And one in particular who loves me unflinchingly day after day, year after her. HE, is my hero. (He is human yes)

and to him I say ~Thank you~

I think we probably encounter heroes more than we realise, but we are too focused on other things that we simply do not notice them until times are tough and then they can shine through. It sounds as if that is what has happened to you @Shippy in that even when times are tough he doesn’t change.

I also agree with @Coloma in that we are all capable of being a hero in some way just we do not think of ourselves as being a hero until someone tells us.

@TheProfoundPorcupine He kept me breathing, and loved me better :)

@Shippy and all of that done without the need of a cape or wearing his pants outside his trousers

@ProfoundPorcupine Hah.. Leggings, cape, and underwear need not apply?!

@ucme Not sure of the reference. Though I am certain it is brilliant.

@Coloma I absolutely agree I think a role model would be a better term for what the rest seem to describe. Though I would add the acts of heroism remain just that. Did the frog indicate in any manner it would was willing to kiss you? I am certain you have it’s undying gratitude.

I suppose I make the distinction not based on the quaint irrelevant definition, or our fascination to anoint undeserving celebrity as @Bellatrix beautifully pointed out but because of the pressure and scrutiny it places on their personality, like they must somehow be above being human. Which sets them and us up for failure.

@Shippy I am so glad you found and married your hero. You probably contributed to his wonderfulness in some way. We tend to be influenced by the people we hold dear.

@Adirondackwannabe It is too bad so few people see that they make the world better for anyone else. I think I should start noticing that quality more and pointing it out in some sort of way.

@rosehips I didn’t marry him no, he never asked :/

@Shippy well I guess with heroes you never know what is around the next corner

@rosehips Heroes are chocolate sweeties as are Quality Street :¬)