ABSTRACT
In the modern heroic stories, the coding elements play their part, too. Their meaning may ring somewhat hollow; the lack of a father, for example, is precisely the reason for youngsters and adolescents to fall back on old archaic images. Youngsters are no longer able to find a new grip and they do not learn to deal with their feelings in another way. They fall back on age-old images and their reflections: who is the strongest, who can take the most drink, who can beat or shoot the most boys. Men who deny their dependency on women, who are ashamed, also find cause to react in a violent manner. Within imaginary relationships, the images that men and women have of each other have their impact on all levels of the relationship. However, one may conclude that there is a link between the violence that is experienced at home and the violent behaviour of youngsters outside the family home.
