The criticism of being lazy for using the same basic tropes, is a fair criticism.
Still, Superman is not human, so his mental/fortitude limits are open to interpretation (unless of course you go the DC official stats/facts route).
He was created in a time where being a hero equaled to be an outstanding "boy scout".
But really, is incredibly easy to imagine how such concept would have a hard time translating to modern times, where a substantial amount of the population would either hate him (for being alien, or for fear, being incompatible with the concept of "God", etc), abuse his trust or would be eager to troll him every second of his life, just for the lulz..knowing that there would be no harsh consequences.
Without more superheroes to help him, without multiple friends able to guide him, and with Governments eager to use and abuse his existence to gain the upperhand on other nations (specially USA), it it's conceivable that he would eventually crack and maybe even be filmed lashing badly, causing local destruction. - At that point, is over for him.. the whole world would turn against him, knowing that he is fallible, and thus a potential danger for everyone.
Evil/authoritarian Superman is honestly, a logical consequence.
That's why he needs to be written as a super human (beyond normal limits). Society can't handle a regular person, with God like powers.
