SELECTING a hero to imitate is a hallmark of childhood and adolescence, psychologists agree. In early years when children are secluded from the outside world, it is parents who form the all-powerful models which youngsters admire.
''Heroes serve as role models for children, people they aspire to. Identifying with heroes can also represent a form of escapism or a way to fulfil a personal fantasy,'' says educational psychologist Carol de Speville.
Youngsters find cartoon characters an object of admiration because, says Ms de Speville, most of the characters emerge as winners from even the most unlikely situations. This may cause children to feel a certain sense of power and the ability to controlthe world about them.
Clinical psychologist Sandra Ho Tsang Kit-man is concerned with the impact that violent characters have on youngsters.
''Parents should be aware of the kind of programmes their children watch. It's better to prepare some better quality programmes by pre-taping some, so children don't have to rely on what's offered on TV,'' said Ms Ho, who specialises in parent-childrenrelationships.
As children get older, their role models are more likely to be real people, or at least human characters from books, television or films.
By identifying with a larger-than-life character, a child can sample how it feels to be brave or romantic, famous or attractive. Heroes offer youngsters an opportunity to sample adolescence while they are children and adulthood while they are teenagers.
