The Irish mother is way ahead of Superman, Batman or Mother Teresa as a hero, according to a new research.
Even Olympic gold medal boxer Katie Taylor, although a perfect role model, doesn’t compare with Mom as a hero for Irish families.
The study was carried out at the department of psychology at the University of Limerick.
Lead researcher Elaine Kinsella, who conducted the study under the supervision of professors Eric Igou and Timothy Ritchie, said parents, particularly mothers, were regularly cited as heroes.
Kinsella, 28, said, “Traditional descriptions referred to heroes in masculine terms and often described those who risk their own lives to help others. But we found that although many types of heroes exist, the most frequently mentioned hero is one’s mother.”
When the research participants were asked to define heroic characteristics, they emphasized the need for evidence of self-sacrifice and moral integrity, qualities found in parents and mothers.
Kinsella said, “Katie Taylor is interesting because she seems to have a strong set of values and morals. She is also brave and has done a lot for female boxing, but sports stars like her are probably best described as role models rather than heroes.”
Two-thirds of those surveyed reported having at least one hero and that about a quarter on the list were family members.
Kinsella added, “Within that group of family members, mums were at the top followed by dads and grandparents.”
The research team surveyed 189 people from 25 different countries who were asked what they believed to be the most important features and functions of heroes.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.VonLiebenitz | Sep 01, 2012, 06:56 PM EDT
Should i say center right?
VonLiebenitz | Sep 01, 2012, 06:55 PM EDT
Apparently IC,s automatic editing machine had broken as it is posting my parts of my comments embedded with other peoples comments and accrediting them to me.That or the staff are playing a joke on me for posting comments that were provocative to their mostly right wing stance and an author in particular on their staff(you know who you are).Ah i see finally the comment shows up in it,s entire form.
VonLiebenitz | Sep 01, 2012, 06:50 PM EDT
a visibly loving parent.A pattern which im sure is not peculiar to Ireland but which as with most things in this arena seems to amplified somehow in relation to the R.O.I.Some thing to do with 900 years of colonial oppression i would imagine.
VonLiebenitz | Sep 01, 2012, 06:48 PM EDT
The Mother in the Republic of Ireland is often see as a saint as she is the only constant outpost of unconditional love with the father being absent either physically or emotionally.The majority of us would be cripples is the psychological sense without this much needed input from a visibly loving parent.A pattern which im sure is not peculiar to Ireland but which as with most things in this arena seems to amplified somehow in relation to the R.O.I.Some thing to do with 900 years of colonial oppression i would imagine.
VonLiebenitz | Sep 01, 2012, 06:35 PM EDT
No one that risks their lives in war where only the elite profit should be considered a hero.Rather he is a fool that threw away his life for nothing.A hero for risking his life for his fellow man yes but in circumstance s he didnt really choose and for a cause he probably doesnt believe in anyway.
VonLiebenitz | Aug 31, 2012, 04:53 PM EDT
One of the finest women I ever knew was an Irish Mother, and though I wasn't fortunate enough to have her for mine, my childhood would have been so very emotionally and mentally impoverished without her love and wisdom. She passed long ago and I still miss her.
handsome68 | Aug 31, 2012, 03:16 PM EDT
Sure without them many of us would not be here. Da(d) must have played his part, because many of us thought, or still think, we were/are sort of 'immaculate conceptions', meaning God's gift to womankind. Well, maybe not... . I remember the papier mâché effigy of "The Mother" in all 3 acts of an Irish play I saw. "The mother" was being held up for observation, or whatever. Sure, most of the audience walked out after the first act, since you'll watch your mouth when you talk about my mother that way.