Having accountability is being responsible for our own actions, where we learn to shift responsibility from others to ourselves. Behaviours such as entitlement is enforced, yet it must be our own responsibility to identify and rectify such faults in ourselves. Ideally, such processes of change are inspired by experiences that make a difference to us. For example, a character we notice. Here is a brief review of four characters that aided this awareness, and one character who is unfortunately a setback.
Miranda Priestly
A polarizing character, the protagonist of The Devil Wears Prada. A "ruthless" woman, obliterating all questions in her path to success who hijacked Nigel's opportunity, at a more lucrative job. However, it is through Miranda Priestly, that we learn about the role of choices. Andy blames her trip to Paris, on circumstance- that she "didn't have a choice". However, she did still come on this trip knowing that it would undermine Emily's expectations. She made the conscious decision to come to Paris. As an action of her own doing, this is an action Andy automatically becomes responsible for. The "Dragon Lady", thus gave us a fleeting look into accountability— that we're responsible for our own actions.
Park Saeroyi
The leading character from Itaewon Class, many might argue that Saeroyi was unrealistically idealistic. He understands that there are consequences to actions. His first instance of awareness is with regard to his childhood dream of being a police officer that he can't fulfill since he is an ex convict. In the aftermath of serving time in prison, he accepts this truth, and lets go of this dream. His second instance of awareness is with regard to his role as an adult. His pub gets shut down for two months, in the aftermath of admitting minors. One of the minors, seeks to take the blame saying it is the minors' fault that they procured fake IDs. However, Saeroyi points out they're not old enough to make discretionary decisions like that. Saeroyi understands the expectations that come from his role as an adult, that one must be vigilant in making sure there is no breaking of the law. He understands that as an adult, he is expected to show a greater sense of responsibility, and when failing to do so, he must be reprimanded.
Claire Pritchett
A biting tongue is no stranger to those familiar with Claire's histrionics on Modern Family. Described as “mean" by her brother, she is admittedly not very considerate when speaking her mind.
An example of this, can be seen in her initially labelling Gloria a gold digger. A claim that she seeks to justify, by pointing out the eccentricity of the pairing— an attractive woman with her aging father. She argues that this doesn't make her mean but rather brave for pointing out what everyone was thinking. However, she slowly owns up to the way she tackled this issue, she didn't confront Gloria about her intentions in an honest discussion. As she accepts this, Claire contorts her face in regret. She realises she made a mistake, then makes several apologies to Gloria, taking responsibility for her hasty, and inaccurate judgement of Gloria's character.
Otis Milburn
This expert on Sex Education, is not without conflict. However, he displays an endearing maturity when resolving fights. An example of unrest comes between him and his best friend Eric. A heated argument leads to Otis blaming Eric for constantly wanting attention. A hurtful accusation that leads to a temporary severing of their bond. It is familiar—the easier option of walking away from relationships we disagree in, but Otis is the exception. Not only does he accept his mistake of being hurtful, he apologises. He reconciles with his best friend, by accepting the fault on his own part. By taking responsibility for his actions, he is able to save one of the most important relationships in his life.
A second example comes in Otis's relationship with his mother. Otis initially views his mother, only in her maternal role and her dating makes him lash out at her. However, Otis acknowledges his behaviour was selfish and his mother as an individual outside of just motherhood. He recognises, and promises to rectify his own behaviour that stood in the way of her freedom.
And inevitably, one Fail: Ross Geller.
This protagonist from FRIENDS, is easily one of the worst examples of accepting responsibility. In the sense, that Ross never does. Ross never holds himself accountable for the mistakes in his behaviour, always blaming circumstance for his indiscretions. “We were on a break”- He uses a technicality to not accept blame, when wrecking what was supposed to be the relationship of a lifetime. Ross is particularly worthy of critique, given the timing of when most of us first watched FRIENDS. It was in our formative years. We were constantly fed with this example of a man, who refused to accept his mistakes. Given its impressionable audience, this show provided a particularly potent example of avoiding responsibility: Ross.
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