Discussion: The Doctor as Protective Father Figure
I came across a quote today that got me thinking.
"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." - Sigmund Freud
Is this perhaps one of the attractions of the Doctor, especially the Classic Doctors? That feeling of safety? Of someone you could run to for protection, to hide behind, or to who could sooth your fears with care or wisdom?
Not about being perfect. But about a character who would put himself in front of you to protect you?
And has part of that aspect of the Doctor been eroded a bit by making him a tragic or romantic figure?
Basically, what I mean. Is that for a sexually abused child, the Classic Doctors were a man they could look on as a protector, someone who wouldn't harm them. For lost children, he was a gentle voice, and a helping hand. For frightened children he was both avuncular fun, and someone safe to watch the monsters from behind.
By focusing on him as a sexual prospect has New Who perhaps diminished that aspect? After all, to a kid a dad is not a romantic hero, the thought of dad "kissing" is "gross." Likewise, is making the Doctor an angsty or depressed figure something that diminishes his feeling of "safety?" When dad's in a bad, gloomy, or irritable mood, he's not someone children want to approach.
Anyway, were the avuncular or paternal aspects of many of the Classic Doctors part of their appeal? Not just to children, but to children of all ages, who craved a hero to look up to, a "grownup" they could admire, someone to protect and shield them from the scariness of life, while providing a safe place, a loving place, a welcoming place, full of joy and warmth?
Does this make any sense? What do you think?
"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." - Sigmund Freud
Is this perhaps one of the attractions of the Doctor, especially the Classic Doctors? That feeling of safety? Of someone you could run to for protection, to hide behind, or to who could sooth your fears with care or wisdom?
Not about being perfect. But about a character who would put himself in front of you to protect you?
And has part of that aspect of the Doctor been eroded a bit by making him a tragic or romantic figure?
Basically, what I mean. Is that for a sexually abused child, the Classic Doctors were a man they could look on as a protector, someone who wouldn't harm them. For lost children, he was a gentle voice, and a helping hand. For frightened children he was both avuncular fun, and someone safe to watch the monsters from behind.
By focusing on him as a sexual prospect has New Who perhaps diminished that aspect? After all, to a kid a dad is not a romantic hero, the thought of dad "kissing" is "gross." Likewise, is making the Doctor an angsty or depressed figure something that diminishes his feeling of "safety?" When dad's in a bad, gloomy, or irritable mood, he's not someone children want to approach.
Anyway, were the avuncular or paternal aspects of many of the Classic Doctors part of their appeal? Not just to children, but to children of all ages, who craved a hero to look up to, a "grownup" they could admire, someone to protect and shield them from the scariness of life, while providing a safe place, a loving place, a welcoming place, full of joy and warmth?
Does this make any sense? What do you think?