Growing Up in a TV-less World: How My Childhood Shaped My Heroes
Segment of my life was defined by the absence of television, and the heroes I grew to love are a testament to that. I spent my formative years in small towns with limited entertainment options, where movies and classic films became a beacon of inspiration and morale.
My Love for Action Heroes
As a child, my love for action and adventure was mostly fueled by movies like Batman and James Bond. I vividly remember the early 1980s when Batman was as exciting as it was menacing, and James Bond films were the epitome of style and sophistication. These movies planted the seeds of hero worship in my mind, and their characters stayed with me well into adulthood.
The Impact of Limited Television
TV as a Luxury: Growing up in a family that eventually couldn't afford a TV, I learned to appreciate the value of entertainment in a different light. I recall the numerous instances where a broken TV or the lack of funds meant we had no other choice but to live without one. This mindset became ingrained in our lifestyle, leading us to understand that we could function well without a television. Even when our economic situation improved and we had the means to buy TVs for each room, we continued to live without one.
The Hero Mentality: Without the constant influence of TV characters, I grew up with a very clear sense of heroism. My hero worship was centered around actual real-life heroes and the values they represented, unlike the overrepresented, often times flawed characters in TV shows and movies. My hero was defined by his actions and intentions rather than the glamour of TV personalities.
Classic Films and Cultural Inheritance
I also had a deep connection with classical films. As someone born in 1948, I remember the limited television offerings. My first TV was brought home by my father in 1953, when TV was still at its infant stage. The programming mostly consisted of 15-minute serials, which eventually became known as “soap operas.”
Early TV Viewing: I watched serials like the Mickey Mouse Club and The Kate Smith Show, which aired ``princess'' or fairy tales and concluded with “God Bless America.” The Queen for a Day show was also a favorite, where the contestant with the saddest story was crowned the queen and awarded free items that would ease their burden.
Classic Films: My preference for movies shifted over the years to include classic films stars like Cary Grant. Movies like Arseonic and Old Lace, People Will Talk, None But the Lonely Heart, Nostrityous, and Suspicion, as well as It Happened One Night featuring Clark Gable, were some of my favorites. The availability of classic films on TV significantly changed my outlook on movies and my understanding of film history.
Life Lessons from Limited Options
My TV-less childhood taught me valuable lessons. I learned to value things that were rare and appreciate the entertainment value of movies. I also learned that we are what we see repetitively. By watching action movies and classic films, I developed a strong sense of identity and a positive outlook on life.
Compared to those who grew up surrounded by TV, I don't see them as pathetically imitating characters in shows. Instead, they seem to struggle with a lack of self-identity, creating masks online to find themselves. While I may have watched Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters 2, Karate Kid, Ghostbusters 2, and classic movies such as Phantom of the Opera and War of the Worlds, I remained rooted in a more masculine and positive lifestyle, free from the constant influence of media.
In conclusion, my TV-less childhood and constant love for movies and classic films are a major part of who I am today. Our entertainment choices profoundly shape our heroes and our lives. For me, that's a lesson that I take with pride.