I was truly amazed by the amazing “Spiderman.” As a parent and psychologist who works with children, I would strongly recommend that parents with children over the age of 8 or 9 go to see this movie and revel in its morality play aspects. Sure, there is a classic love story and lots of action and violence, but the heart and soul of the movie lies in its almost mantra-like presentation of the lesson that with great power comes great responsibility.
What a world this would be if this were a belief that most people had and used to direct their actions. Of course, in real life, power does not only apply to superheroes. To be smarter, physically stronger, more socially adept, more athletic, more artistic or wealthier, etc., are all ways of being more powerful.
How often do we see these powers in ourselves, when we have them and accept the responsibility of using them to service others rather than to shun or exploit others in one manner or another?
With great power comes great responsibility is a message that promotes an end to putting others down, bullying or otherwise mistreating others, having tolerance and forbearance and generally thinking about what you can do to help others with the powers you were blessed to have, whatever they may be. It also ensures the powerless a chance to become more powerful–if not by direct learning from those with more power then by sheer association with them.
I sometimes think it should be mandatory for parents to sit with their children and watch every episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” (talk about a collection of morality plays). I would still, of course, recommend Andy, but he’s finally got some competition from that web-slinging friendly neighborhood Spiderman.
