The purpose of superheroes far surpasses their franchise or their ability to entertain. They represent a rarely-seen figment of society: selfless protagonists who draw upon their powers for the greater good. The idea that someone would choose altruism over wealth and status, despite the life-altering trauma they usually experience, strongly appeals to audiences by shining a light on the finer aspects of human nature. They are inspirational figures of strength and wit, and the delicacy with which their whimsical world touches on our reality keeps us engrossed in the storyline. It's no surprise, then, that superhero representation significantly helps viewers connect with the storyline and form stronger emotional bonds.
Superhero stories impact child development in multiple aspects, shaping their beliefs and interests extensively. Having superhero role models can help children build confidence, express creativity, practice self-regulation, and develop empathy: qualities so often encouraged in superhero shows aimed at children. The cultural and social impact that superheroes possess influence the range of possibilities children grow accustomed to. For example, the superhero industry was, and still is, dominated by males; as a result, while little boys dream of fighting crime in Batman costumes, girls are subconsciously influenced to believe that their roles come second, that they can only dream of being 'Batgirl', the deuteragonist whose role is to offer insight or comic relief, but never to inspire. One can only imagine the impression that superheroes like Black Widow or Captain Marvel left on the younger generation as women who stand their ground in a male-dominated line-up, with abilities just as, or even more impressive than their male counterparts.
Race representation
Black Panther, Marvel’s first non-white superhero film, marked a milestone in the industry, tackling complicated cultural themes often displayed in real life. In the past few years, the cast of Marvel has only grown more diverse, with Asian-led movies such as Shang-Chi and Eternals.
Shang-Chi strikes especially close to heart with a familiar Chinese cast, including Hong Kong’s cinematic royalty Leung Chiu-wai. For the Asian community, Shang-Chi’s authentic depiction of language and culture is a long-overdue vehicle for Chinese empowerment. Mandarin dialogue was carried out by native Chinese speakers, a stark contrast to the awkward, incomprehensible pronunciation usually displayed in Western movies. The sophistication of Shang-Chi challenges the entertainment landscape of white-dominated superheroes, giving children in the Asian diaspora a story they can relate to.
Gender representation
The portrayal of superheroes has contributed greatly to gender stereotypes. For example, powers of strength and invulnerability were usually given to males, such as the Hulk, while powers of agility and seduction were given to females (e.g. Black Widow). As a result, the presence of superheroes that defy these stereotypes becomes increasingly significant for viewers to break free of any conventions they may be trapped in.
Wonder Woman, a warrior of Amazonian descent, possesses traditionally masculine abilities such as superhuman strength and flight. As one of the most recognized superheroes, she demonstrates the importance of female solidarity and independence.
Loki, the Norse god of mischief, is genderfluid, a canonically known fact from both Marvel and original Norse mythology. Gender fluidity is rarely represented in the media, and Loki’s identity becomes all the more important in spreading awareness and respect for those who identify as gender-fluid, or do not prefer using traditional gender pronouns.
Disability representation
Disabled superheroes serve not only as an inspiration for children with similar conditions, but also educate those who are able-bodied to be inclusive and accepting. The disabled superhero franchise disproves traditional beliefs that the disabled are less powerful or less desirable, or that their lives must be significantly weighed down by their disabilities.
Deadpool, the infamous anti-hero who displays a sense of somewhat inappropriate humour, is a disabled character with severe physical disfigurement and major PTSD. In the movies starring Ryan Reynold, Deadpool’s face is covered with scars, a product of his healing superpowers coupled with cancerous cells.
The Percy Jackson series introduces a whole generation of demigods who have ADHD and dyslexia as a result of their godly parentage. In particular, Annabeth Chase, the female protagonist known for her wisdom and intelligence, serves as an important symbol for children that ADHD does not completely obstruct academic pursuits.
Positive Chinese representation in western media is few and far between, but has been increasing as the years pass by and as Asian-Americans are accepted into the industry.
Finding representation in the mass media is not only a means for us to relate to characters onscreen, but also a reflection of the multifaceted humanity.
Sources
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-psychology-behind-superhero-origin-stories-4015776/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2012/05/importance-having-superheroes/328461/
Writing: Gaille Su
Editing: Katherine Yan
Graphics: Holly Liu
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