Do you agree that it is important that children have heroes? Who were your heroes when you were a child?

My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry begins with the pronouncement "Every seven-year-old deserves a superhero." (p. 1) Do you agree? Why is it so important that children have heroes? Who were your heroes when you were a child?

I am not certain that I thought of someone as a "hero" when I was very young, but I sure did love Betty Boop's hoop earrings. On a serious note, I adored my paternal grandmother who delighted in buying me my own sack of candy corn and always stuck a couple of sticks of chewing gum in her letters to me. Again, I did not actually think the word "hero;" I just knew I loved Grandma and thought it was great to have her in the second twin bed in my bedroom when she came for visits. I miss her to this day.

I'm not sure the term "hero" is one I can relate to. I believe that in one's life, there are people we admire and view as role models--those individuals we strive to emulate. And, yes, I believe children need positive role models. My Godmother was a positive influence in my life as were many of my teachers. Who are today's role models? Hmmmmm......

I absolutely believe everyone, especially children, need heroes - knowing there is someone out there who always has your back, always supports you, and unconditionally loves you. As a little girl, my dad was always my hero; he still is. But, as I have gotten older, I realize that it is my mom who is the person I want to be the most like. I was lucky to grow up with parents I viewed as heroes, but I don't think the role is limited to them. I also had teachers along the way that were heroic in my eyes: always willing to go above and beyond to ensure not only my academic success, but my personal and emotional success as well. Our heroes don't appear often, but when we do meet them, it is important to pay attention.

Children need heroes, role models and advocates in addition to parents. In Catholic school I'm sure my heroes were saints but I can't really recall any one in particular that I singled out. As for role models there were plenty. One neighbor lady who had three sons and in whose home I spent a lot of time -- just because she was patient with my endless questions about everything from how to make strudel to fixing a broken toy -- became a role model when I had two boys of my own. I used her as a model of how to raise boys. Our family was all girls. I was really glad when I got the opportunity to tell her and thank her for her example before she died, even though I had moved far from the old neighborhood.

I agree that "hero" isn't the exact word I would use but certain persons that love and accept you for who you are..my grandmother and youngest aunt sure filled a special place in my life.. They were just two people who were always on my side and let me be important to them..

I'm not sure that it is critical, but I think that it strengthens a child's own personality to have heroes. Mine was a relative, a childless aunt whose husband died young. She took me to concerts and recitals that I remember to this day - one of a solo Ukrainian dancer and another of a balalaika orchestra are still vivid in my memory (I am 100% Ukrainian). Aunt Steffie took me places my parents couldn't afford to take me, and described the people we met in great detail. She was the only aunt I had who worked from the time I was born, which also provided a role model for me.

Yes, I grew up with X-men, much like Elsa. So superheroes were were an integral part of my childhood. As far as role models, boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, NBA player Michael Jordan and baseball player Don Mattingly were standouts to me. They gave me something to aspire to. What I have taken from them is their ability to excel at the highest level in their field. That is something every kid can aspire to and I still aspire to do that to this day.

Yes, it is important to have someone to look up to, to emulate. These "heroes" are examples of moral behavior, love and life goals.
My super hero cartoon character was Wonder Woman. She was super strong and was able to make bad situations better.
My real life hero was my grandfather and grandmother. They lived a simple life, were not wasteful, loved unconditionally and were upstanding citizens.

I agree with most others that hero isn't really the word I would use. Of all the adults in my life, or any event in my life, I most loved spending time with my very eccentric grandmother. My mother always thought I had been over indulged and that I came home in a "wild state". All I know is that I had a great time, every time. She died when I was 12 and I was very sad for a very long time.

The understanding is that a superhero is fictional and a form of fantasy and has lots of courage. Therefore, Harry Potter as Elsa’s superhero is logical. In this case, the importance of a “seven-year-old deserves a superhero” stands to reason since Elsa and her grandmother communicate and believe in an imaginative world.
For real children outside this story, I wonder the importance of a hero—nice to have but how important? I think not so much. My opinion.

I think it is extremely important for children to have people to emulate for a variety of reasons, whether you call them superheros or something else. The most important would be so they could see someone else overcome huge setbacks or hurdles and power through like they may going through. There are any number of people I admire and find inspiration from, including Mohammed Ali (standing up for your convictions at any cost), Michael Jordan (believing in yourself and persevering when others don't), Mother Theresa (kindness without judgement), and many many more. But small children can't necessarily understand those concepts in that way so it has to be encouraged and taught in a way they can understand and enjoy. I think this was the reason Elsa's grandmother put together the imaginative world and for her to make sure Elsa bought into it - so she would be safe.

I think all of us need heroes. They can be everyday people who are just doing the best they can do at living life. My dad was my hero growing up. He was always totally honest, worked very hard and always found that extra moment to listen to any little thing I want to tell him. He taught me to treat others as I wanted to be treated and not to judge someone because they are different. Plus he was tall, strong and handsome, major requirements for a young girl's hero.

I think it is good to have someone to look up to and trust and have hope that he or she can fix everything so you can go back to being a child and thinking like one. I liked to know that someone was in the right and it gave me a person to follow and emulate. I think my father was my hero, and also maybe Superman was.

Yes, it is important for children to have someone to look up to -not necessarily a hero. Growing up I was in a three generation household. I had a very close relationship with my grandfather. He had immigrated to the U.S. alone at the age of 19, speaking very little English. and yet he became a leader in our community and worked tirelessly so future generations would know of the traditions and language of their ethnic group. Was he a hero? He certainly was someone to be admired.

I think the word hero has been misused in so many ways that I kind of cringe when I hear it now. I do think children need to have something to believe it. Something beyond the here and now and the mundane and the hurt. Fairy tales are not a bad thing, especially, when they are custom fit for that one person.