Male Role Models
The role of fiction
I was speaking with someone recently about masculinity and the role models for young men.
I remarked that the new Superman film, with David Corenswet starring as the titular character, has proved to be a popular model for young men in their early teenage years.
Their response was to be dismissive of the role movie characters can play in the development of someone’s morals. Putting aside how pivotal I think media and especially movies can be for a persons development, I think this view is emblematic of a specific problem with young men in particular.
The recent media landscape has been pretty poor for positive examples of masculinity.
Within minutes, I could point out hundreds of toxic influencers peddling a message with an ounce of truth and tons of lies. Yet, to point out those positive examples would take far longer - I think the answer to that lies in creating more positive role models in film rather than demonising the existing toxic influencers.
The classic example of a positive male role model in cinema for me has to be Aragorn.
Aragorn, for the few that don’t know, is a character featured in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. He is the fated king who shall return to the kingdom of Gondor, and in the Peter Jackson films, he is presented as a reluctant hero.
Aragorn is by any rights meant to be difficult. In the Tolkien books, he is far more of a knightly character: aloof, certain, and proud. As a knight of royal lineage and a descendant of the Numenoreans (a different race of man), Aragorn is the heir to the kingdom of Gondor. Blessed with long life and strength beyond other men, he could at any time declare his birthright as King of Gondor.
Yet, the character isn’t called by power but rather by duty. He roams the world learning and clearing it of evil, and in its hour of need, he is prepared to lay down his life for the world. While many of Tolkien’s characters possess Christ-like traits, they are most obvious in Aragorn.
As previously mentioned, this reinterpretation of the classic Superman story has provided a renaissance of young men appreciating the story. Gone are the days of the grey Superman as portrayed in Zack Snyder’s ‘Man of Steel’.
Superman as a character is meant to be the ultimate embodiment of power.
As the saying goes, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” By any conception, Superman should be a negative story; to see him not at least toy with abusing his powers on a daily basis almost feels sinful some days.
Yet, this portrayal of a character that, whilst infinitely powerful, still has immense flaws and personal failings all while remaining kind. Just provides such a refreshing and positive view of the role of men for young boys, especially those growing up without good role models.
Masculinity has been a topic of interest for quite a while. I previously wrote about my brief thoughts in April of last year. Reading through what I wrote, I still come to the same conclusion: it is still so difficult to answer the series of questions that society faces.
However, I think the answer to what a “good man” is lies in media. Unlike my friend, I don’t think that is worrying; I think it is rather refreshing.
After what feels like endless portrayals of incompetent fathers or hateful sons, for young men to see positive portrayals of men who, whilst flawed like us all, are good at their core, will inspire generations of young men.
So maybe in the end kindness really is the new punk rock.