Being Our Own Best Superhero
Photo: Kayana Szymczak for The New York Times
Sex Ed Concept: Advocating for Self and Others. A lesson from the superhero powers of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
As the four-year-old great granddaughter of one of the original creators of Captain America donned her mask and blue cape to overcome her anxiety in joining her preschool class on Zoom, her mom reminded us why we all need a superhero. In doing so, she gave me a way of saying goodbye to Ruth Bader Ginsburg that felt just right. (NYT, 09/21/2020, Megan Margulies)
When children dress as a beloved superhero and step into an imaginary world, they get to ditch the boring every-day rules of logic and consequences, and create a space where they control what’s said and done. Belief in superheroes can give kids “the confidence, strength and perseverance they need.” This comes in handy and proves constructive during times of great uncertainty (for example, when school is online during a global pandemic) or to get a break from painful or confusing feelings. No matter the adversity a superhero faced as a child, no matter their feelings of self-doubt, no matter their vulnerabilities, they show up, through thick and thin, to save the day.
A link in the article, led me to the work of psychologist Janina Scarlet who incorporates these concepts into her psychology practice. As a teenager, Janina found herself senselessly teased by classmates after emigrating to the US in the aftermath of radiation poisoning from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Discovering and connecting with Storm (X-Men) helped her combat feelings of isolation and shame. As an adult, Janina used her own experiences to develop Superhero Therapy to help patients with anxiety, depression, self-harm and PTSD. I just love that! Superhero Therapy! You can find 10 minute clips about her work at: http://www.superhero-therapy.com/meet-the-doctor/
Superhero Therapy helped me think a little less critically about where my family members have escaped to during home quarantine - first from the pandemic then from the smoke-filled skies from Oregon's fires. Perhaps those endless hours in the magical lands of the Internet and video games are just older kid versions of where little kids escape to when they put on a mask and grab their cape. It’s also helped me mourn the death of one of my real-life heroes. RBG overcame adversity, continually encountered people who told her she wasn’t good enough, recognized her own vulnerabilities and nevertheless, was steadfast and strong in her core beliefs and in her willingness to fight for equality for all people.
I hope each and every kid who faces bullying, or who bullies, who deals with anxiety or depression, who feels isolated and disconnected, has an adult they can talk to about their experiences and feelings, and a superhero they can gain strength from. Heck, I hope every person has someone - in the real or imaginary world - who gives them a sense of value, connection and belonging. Who's your superhero?
Educational standard: Advocacy. Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family and community health. [Note: Educational standards, written collectively by nationally respected professionals, provide guidance on age-appropriate sexual health education content. To learn about sexual health standards - what topics and skills should be taught at what grade level, please visit the Discussions by Age section of this website.
Questions for Discussion
Elementary school: What is your superpower?
Middle school: What are you good at, and what do you want to be even better at?
High school: What do you do to make a positive difference in other people’s lives?
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/.../parenting/kids-superheroes.html