Surprising Effects of Superheroes on Children

Young children are filled with insatiable curiosity and vivid imagination. Their world is filled with magical, mystical, or larger-than-life characters that they may watch in movies or TV shows. Sometimes, children fancy these characters so much that their daily life starts getting affected. It’s no doubt that these superheroes have a tendency to impact young minds, but sometimes this impact can turn negative. Learn through this article the positive and negative impacts that superheroes can have on children. We shall also talk about what steps you can take as parents to minimise such effects on superheroes on children.

Positive Impacts of Superheroes on Kids

By embodying traits like bravery, kindness, and resilience, superheroes can significantly impact a child’s development and worldview. According to Michigan State University, some of the positive effects of superheroes on kids may include (1):

1. Kids learn to be helpful

Superheroes go around saving and helping people. Your child might get attracted to this quality, and might learn to be helpful towards the people in need.

2. They may learn good morals

Superheroes can be beneficial in teaching good values to children. Your child will understand that good triumphs over evil, and thus one should always strive to do the right thing (2).

3. Superheroes help in enhancing confidence

In the world of superheroes, everything seems to be possible. Your child may also think the same. This may help in building up her confidence. If she is a shy child, indulging her in the fancy world of superheroes and telling her that she can do anything will help your child become more confident and shed self-doubt.

4. They can make a child feel empowered

Acting or behaving like a superhero when playing with friends or siblings can help a child feel more empowered, especially if she does not feel so in the real world. This can also help your child deal with power and control issues that she may be experiencing, and can also help resolve any kind of anxiety or fear.

5. They may help children make healthy food choices

Recent research shows that children who fancied superheroes opted for healthier food options under the impression that their favourite superhero would also like those food items.

6. Encourages physical activity

Superheroes are often depicted as being very active, whether they are flying, running, or engaging in combat. This can inspire children to be more physically active themselves, which is beneficial for their health and fitness.

7. Promotes creativity and imagination

Superhero stories often involve fantastical elements and imaginative scenarios. This can encourage children to develop their own creative thinking and storytelling skills, enhancing their ability to imagine and create.

8. Teaches problem-solving skills

Superheroes frequently face complex challenges and must use their intelligence and skills to overcome them. Watching or reading about these problem-solving processes can help children learn to think critically and come up with solutions to their own problems.

9. Builds teamwork and cooperation

Many superheroes work in teams and emphasize the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. This can teach children the value of cooperation and teamwork, essential skills for success in school and later in life.

Negative Impacts of Superheroes on Kids

While superheroes can inspire and entertain, they can also have negative effects on children. The portrayal of violence, unrealistic expectations, and risky behavior can influence young minds in undesirable ways. Some of the negative effects of superheroes on children may include:

1. It may lead to aggression

We can all agree that superheroes can be violent because they fight all the time. This can adversely impact young minds and make them aggressive.

2. It may cause violent behaviour

Children are exposed to a lot of violence through superhero movies. Young minds learn and emulate what they see and observe, and if their favourite superhero is their role model, they are likely to act violently, too.

3. It may threaten the safety of the child

Children can often pull careless stunts to imitate their favourite superhero, like jumping off a bed or getting into a mock sword fight with a friend. Such actions can sometimes cause injuries, which could sometimes be fatal.

4. It may not be age-appropriate

Though the age limit is always mentioned at the start of the film or show, sometimes parents may neglect these aspects. The age-inappropriate content may adversely impact young minds.

5. It may make the child delusional

Sometimes a child may be lost in her own world, away from the realities of life. She may start believing that the world of superheroes is real and may act and behave in the similar fashion too. This may make the child delusional.

6. It may promote gender stereotypes

Many superhero stories reinforce traditional gender roles, with male superheroes often depicted as strong and aggressive and female superheroes as secondary or overly sexualized. This can influence a child’s perception of gender roles and expectations.

7. It may lead to unrealistic expectations

Superheroes often possess extraordinary abilities and powers that are not attainable in real life. This can create unrealistic expectations for children, leading to frustration and disappointment when they realize they cannot achieve the same feats as their favorite heroes.

What Can Parents Do?

As parents, you should not shun the importance of superheroes in your child’s life. It is important that you empathise with your child and let her know that you appreciate her passion. But at the same time, it is important that you make your child understand that fiction and reality are two separate worlds. Also, teaching her about real heroes in life, such as Indian farmers and freedom fighters, may prove to be helpful.

FAQs

1. Do superheroes influence children’s career aspirations?

Yes, superheroes can influence children’s career aspirations by inspiring them to pursue professions that involve helping others, such as becoming firefighters, police officers, or doctors. The heroic deeds and positive qualities of superheroes can motivate children to consider careers where they can make a difference.

3. How do superheroes influence children’s understanding of diversity and inclusion?

Superheroes come from various backgrounds, cultures, and even species, showcasing diversity and inclusion. Exposure to a diverse range of superheroes can help children appreciate differences and promote an inclusive mindset. This understanding can be crucial in fostering empathy and acceptance of others in real life.

We all love superheroes, and so do our little munchkins. Let them soak in the superhero frenzy while keeping them abreast with reality!

References/Resources:

1. Supporting super hero play in child care: Concerns and benefits; Michigan State University; https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/supporting_super_hero_play_in_child_care_concerns_and_benefits

2. Martin. J; Children’s attitudes toward superheroes as a potential indicator of their moral understanding (Journal of Moral Education); ResearchGate; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233586817_Children%27s_attitudes_toward_superheroes_as_a_potential_indicator_of_their_moral_understanding; June 2007

3. Morgan. C, Morrongiello. B, Schwebel. D; Short- and Long-Term Effects of Superhero Media on Young Children’s Risk-Taking Behaviors (Journal of Pediatric Psychology); National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33982100/; August 2021

4. Hoge. B; Superheroes: Helping or hurting children?; The University of Alabama at Birmingham; https://www.uab.edu/news/research/item/12464-superheroes-helping-or-hurting-children

5. SR.S, B. B, Murthy. S, Kartha. S, Shabaz. T, Jain. S, Mittal. S, Jain. S; A Study on the Psychological Effects of Watching Superhero Films (International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews); https://ijrpr.com/uploads/V4ISSUE4/IJRPR11438.pdf; April 2023

6. Kim. R, Moroi. M, Brawley. A, Poley. M, King. T, Olympia. R; Themes in Superhero-Based Television Shows: An Opportunity for the Development of Children and Adolescents Through Co-Viewing and Active Mediation (Cureus); National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7273351/; May 2020

7. Warren. K; Children’s Understanding of the Superheroes; New Zealand Council for Educational Research; https://www.nzcer.org.nz/nzcerpress/set/articles/childrens-understanding-superheroes

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