For starters, we are all imperfect. When our heroes are public figures, we often get fooled into thinking we know them. We develop ideas about who they are based on the characters they play, the music they produce or their athletic abilities. We create this bubble of false perfection that’s bound to pop once we get wind of their humanity. In that moment we may come to realize that we didn’t know them as well as we believed we did.

It’s a different story when our heroes are people we really know and love. We’re confronted with their humanity on a regular basis. That grounds our view of them in an admirable reality. So I don’t think our heroes have to be perfect, I just think we have to have firsthand experience with who they are in order for that imperfection to be one of the many reasons we worship them.

As for the second question . . . I think that a person who is true to themselves isn’t affected by the external “pressure to perform” that we might send their way. They excel and perform because it is who they are. They are passionate about what they do with their life and that passion is likely a big part of why we admire them.

Great questions! Look forward to your thoughts.

So Geuka, i love what you said about our dad, how he is a guiding light instead of a prodding stick in our development; he is cool as cool can do and therefore we wanted to be like him and afterall, much of our personalities are mimicry, so it helps to have a downright awesome father to imitate

it surprises how much i can act a fool when i have not seen daddy in a while and how instantly when we’re together, my composure and clear-mindedness comes back into picture; that’s an argument for the ongoing involvement of parents in our lives; so beyond idol worship, how can bonds embark on deeper levels of friendship and experience?

i think ur case for leadership instead of dictation is a profound one (and especially because you show how children are also leaders) –and at the same time, i wonder: do heroes have to be perfect for us to worship them? does our following of our phenomenal heroes place too much pressure on them to perform?

I guess fathers have two choices — they are either actively great or actively troublesome; but is there a tighter range between these two choices that says: a man can be imperfect as imperfect can be and that is why he is great?

so much to discuss here for sure
Love yaaas and keep it up!

Thanks for the Women at Forty honorable mention! *smile*

If more people, men especially, felt about their dads and daughters the way you do, think of the changes that could come about in this country and the world in general, especially with regard to how we treat our women and children. If you weren’t a dude, I’d post this on Women at Forty!