Don Draper, from the TV show Mad Men, is a complex character. On the one hand he is suave and auspicious, leading the glamorous life of a marketing man on Madison Avenue. But most of the time he is introverted, rigid and indifferent.The allure for the audience is in discovering the story behind his enigmatic nature.
I have always joked that: If you truly want to know someone; ask them what childhood problem they are trying to get over. It seems pretty intuitive to think a mother's love has tremendous bearing on the happiness of a child but scientists at the University of Washington have recently identified the precise physiological reasons. A nurturing mother can physically affect the development of her child's hippocampus —the area of the brain dealing with memory. This area can grow as much as 10 percent more in children abound with love.
Back to Mr. Draper, born to a prostitute who died in labour, had an abusive father who was killed by a spooked horse as young Don watched. And that's just scratching the surface. It is no wonder, that he spends 7 seasons of this show trying to run away from himself through a string of marriages, orchestra of flings, streams of alcohol and decadence. He is looking for love and always protects the weak (Peggy Olson). His generosity is usually through money not love because he can't risk being hurt like he was in childhood.
But this is just a fictional character (*inspired by George Lois), how about in real life? If you read Muhammad Ali's biography, you'll find that; abundant parental love supported his quest for greatness. His parents made him feel powerful and special. Contrast that to Marlon Brando's biography: Brando: Songs My Mother Taught Me and you'll find a lamenting man, desperately seeking love and acceptance in old age— the result of growing up in a broken home. What I am writing is not some great insight but it's important. Even If you were treated like you are special in childhood, but end up working in a lowly position; you will have a tough time reconciling expectations and reality. By the same token, someone can overcome a rough childhood to succeed; yet they'll give a their kids a hard time to show how tough life can be. Lack of love or too much love can give someone complex psychological issues, balance is the key.
I don't know where I'm running but I know how to run
'Cause, running's the thing I've always done
- Lyrics from the song "27" by Passenger
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