We're all happy to see the Man of Steel saving entire cities and foiling evil geniuses, but there's always that nagging thought deep down that it's too easy for him, that he's cheating, that there's never a real risk to himself or a circumstance in which he can fail. What can real people learn from a superhero who can't be shot, drowned, crushed, outrun, splattered, stabbed or killed without kryptonite? After all, Superman is incredibly powerful. More powerful than a locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Here's a better question to ask: With all his powers, what stops Superman from becoming the villain? Why won't he quit his job as a mild-mannered reporter and become a short-tempered world tyrant? With the ability to escape to Earth orbit at a whim and withstand atomic blasts, it's not as if we could stop him. Even if we would wear kryptonite amulets for protection, nothing would stop evil Superman from taking us out from a safe range with a sniper rifle or explosives.
Yet Superman continues to fight for Truth, Justice and the American Way. Why?
Jonathan and Martha Kent--his parents: The people who taught him the difference between right and wrong, the people who taught him to control his emotions, the people who taught him to always do what's right and the people who taught him that his coming to Earth was for some great purpose--even greater than scoring touchdowns. If you're looking for the real heroes in the Superman story, don't look to the Last Son of Krypton. Look at the people who loved him and molded him into a crusader for Truth and Justice. Look at the people who never let him and his powers become a bane on mankind. Look to the people who kept Superman's absolute power from corrupting him absolutely. Look to Superman's moral teachers.
Who knows what future is in store for your kids? Parents work hard to give their children every advantage and open every door. One day, somebody's present-day kids will be in positions of power. That's why the most important subject to teach children is morality and virtue. As adults, these children will make a phenomenal impact on the world, if not on a global or national scale, then perhaps on a business, neighborhood or family level. They are sure to face temptations involving abuses of power, and without a strong moral education they are sure to succumb. With strong moral guidance, they will overcome these temptations and use their powers to make better lives for their families, for their neighborhoods, for their businesses, for their countries and for the world.
How will you raise Superman?
