Colman Noctor: Kellie Harrington is a worthy idol for our children

This weekend a new heroine was brought to our attention in the form of Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington

Will we see a raft of teenage girls heading to the boxing gyms to emulate the achievements of Kellie Harrington? Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Parental influence is greatest in the early years of childhood when the child idolises their parents as their heroes. It is not unusual to witness a five-year-old state openly that they want to be like their mother or father when they grow up.

However, as children grow older and begin to form their own identity, their parents become less perfect. Consequently, children may go through a phase at about eight where they imagine that their parents are not their real parents and their real parents are like fairytale heroes, and they will come and rescue them from these bumbling fools any day now.