Superhero culture could result in aggressive kids

Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman usually play the good guys, but the Justice League might not be as positive as you think. A new study published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology linked engagement with superheroes with increased physical aggression among young children. Instead of defending others, kids mimicked the opposite message: Violence. Researchers from Brigham Young University studied 240 preschoolers, asking about their favourite superheroes and why they liked them. One in five mentioned the characters’ violent skills as pro. “Because he can smash and destroy everything, and he doesn’t care because he’s a big bully,” one child said. “Because he can kill,” explained another. Only 10% named their defending mission as a reason.

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 The scientists also surveyed their parents, finding kids who frequently engage with superheroes especially prone to physical and relational aggressive one year later. What’s more, these children were not more likely to stand up for peers who were picked on. So what are parents to do? Focus on the positives, advises lead author and family life professor Sarah M. Coyne. She theorises that the complex moral message in most superhero programmes goes right over toddlers’ heads. “The superheroes themselves have so many redeeming qualities, so I would focus on those while de-emphasising the violence.”

As the mom of a Spider-Man-obsessed son, Coyne emphasises the takeaway here is moderation. “The point of the study is not to ban superheroes as they can be a fun and magical part of childhood,” she told Science Daily. ” It’s about finding balance and ways to talk about superheroes that focus on the positive aspects.” The findings echo her research from last year, which found Disney princesses reinforce gender stereotypes. At the end of the day, Elsa and Captain America do have a place in the playroom, as long as they’re not the only role models kids look up to.

From: Good Housekeeping US

PHOTO: iStock/fstop123

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