Move over caped crusaders
Mum and Dad are our top childhood heroes

A survey commissioned by the Australian Childhood Foundation this week found today’s adult Australians rank parents and grandparents in the top three on their childhood hero list.

While Batman, The Phantom and Wonder Woman ranked fairly high among the adults surveyed, these comic book caped crusaders still ran a poor second to fond memories of the everyday heroic actions performed by mums, dads and grandparents.

The research, conducted by Quantum Market Research, was released in conjunction with the launch of the Foundation’s inaugural national fundraising appeal, Childhood Hero. In launching the appeal, Dr Joe Tucci, CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation, said:

“Being a hero to children is less about super powers and more about playing a part in their lives. Our Childhood Hero campaign is designed to remind the whole community to take every opportunity to support children, to cherish them and celebrate the fun, innocence and importance of childhood and family life.”

 

Top 10 qualities of childhood heroes sighted in the survey were:

  • Reliable
  • Loving and kind
  • Protective
  • Courage
  • Teaching right from wrong
  • Making life as a child fun
  • Treating people as equals
  • Being resourceful
  • Having a positive outlook
  • Possessing special powers.

“If you consider these rankings from one to ten, the findings highlight the basic ingredients that children need to thrive. They also show how common-place qualities and attitudes can resonate deeply in the lives of children.”

Dr Tucci stressed that in the hectic lives of most Australians, and with the pressures of work, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that children give parents and other family members countless opportunities each day to be a hero to them. “Our campaign promotes how easy it is to be a hero to children – all you have to do is respect them and nurture them,” he said. “People with these qualities continue to be the kind of heroes that make a profound and lasting difference to children.”

About the research

Quantum Market Research undertook the telephone survey of 504 adults nationally in September 2005.

Available for interview:

Dr Joe Tucci - CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation. Joe is a social worker and registered psychologist with 16 years experience in working with children and families.

 

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