Department of Psychology, RISE Lab, Health Research Institute, Centre for Social Issues Research, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
HERA Lab, School of Natural & Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.
J Med Ethics. 2022 Mar;48(3):198-199. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2021-107236. Epub 2021 Feb 16.
The purpose of this article is to offer an alternative, more nuanced analysis of the labelling of frontline workers as heroes than originally proposed. Here, we argue that the hero narrative in itself need not be problematic, but highlight a number of wider factors that have led to the initial rise (and subsequent fall) in support for labelling frontline workers as heroes. Through our related work, we have gathered similar stories from frontline workers where they feel betrayed, let down or otherwise short-changed by the hero label, and we have sought to make sense of this through understanding more about how the hero label is used rather than what it means. In this article, we propose a way forward where there is greater discussion around the hero label in this context where individuals can be heroes but still struggle, still fail and still feel vulnerable, and where heroism is viewed as a state of interdependence between heroic actor and the wider group. It is true that heroes can inspire, lead, guide and build morale and camaraderie, but collective responsibility is held with us all. We can draw hope and energy from our heroes, but we must dig deep and be proactive, particularly in the face of adversity. In doing so, we support the heroes to lead from the front and ensure that even though we cannot physically help; we are not making their situation worse.
本文旨在提供一种替代方案，对将一线工作者称为英雄的说法进行更细致的分析，与最初的提议有所不同。在这里，我们认为英雄叙事本身不一定有问题，但强调了导致最初（以及后来）支持将一线工作者称为英雄的支持率上升和下降的一些更广泛的因素。通过我们的相关工作，我们从一线工作者那里收集到了类似的故事，他们感到被背叛、失望或其他方面受到英雄标签的亏待，我们试图通过更多地了解英雄标签的使用方式而不是它的含义来理解这一点。在本文中，我们提出了一种前进的方式，即在这种情况下，更多地讨论英雄标签，即个人可以成为英雄，但仍然会挣扎、失败和感到脆弱，而英雄主义被视为英雄行为者和更广泛的群体之间相互依存的状态。英雄确实可以激励、领导、引导和鼓舞士气和团队精神，但集体责任在于我们所有人。我们可以从英雄身上汲取希望和力量，但我们必须深入挖掘并采取主动行动，尤其是在面对逆境时。这样做可以支持英雄们站在前线，确保即使我们不能实际提供帮助，也不会使他们的处境恶化。
