Superheroes
Superheroes have primarily dominated the world today and instilled triggered unhealthy living habits, created unrealistic expectations and formed biased mindsets in society. Preoccupation with superheroic content that involves killing and violence as acts of service to the
community corrupts children’s morals and behavior. As a result, this limits their creativity and creates vicious cycles of obsessiveness, imitation, and adherence to rigid play scripts. This research paper shows the nature and extent preoccupation is harmful to the body, mind, and social well being of a person.
Young, A. F., Gabriel, S., & Hollar, J. L. (2013). Batman to the rescue! The protective effects of parasocial relationships with muscular superheroes on men’s body image. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49(1), 173-177.
This article discussed the unintentional preoccupation of young men with the muscular and gigantic bodies of superheroes tha create unlogic illusions to change their bodies to match the character. Two surveys were conducted to form the hypothesize for this research. On one side, men who were exposed to male superheroes did not feel indifferent or shame of their bodies. In contrast, men who have a parasocial relationship with the superheroes felt inadequate and unsatisfied with their body structures. While this does not underpin men’s feeling about superheroes’ muscular bodies and their denoted strength, it begs the question to what extent does consumption superior heroic comic books and films alter men’s perception of heroism, body image, and physical strength. The concept of parasocial a common phenomenon in the media today is introduced and applied in the research. I found this article useful as it gives an in-depth analysis of nature and extent preoccupation with superheroes diverts young people’s attention from the reality. Everyday presence of superheroes on the TV screens heightens the disconnect leading to progressive alienation from the existence of the ordinary acts of heroism showcased daily. If young people are expected to appreciate and acknowledge the first responders fully, media must reevaluate viewer discretion for most comics as to balance and minimize unrealistic imaginations and perceptions of heroism.
In today’s world, superhero plays have become a popular form of entertainment for young people across all ages as well as adults. Research shows that more than 1.2 billion people are loyal superhero fans. With more comics, books, and novels premiering at Disney, Hollywood effects of prosocial or parasocial are becoming more apparent. Many studies that have been published show that superheroes not only cause unrealistic expectations of children/ adults but also affect their cognitive development. As of today, many superhero movies are action-based blockbusters that feature a superhero that saves the world or solves the world’s greatest mystery (Ariana, Shira, and Jordan). The superheroes exude enormous physical strength and overpower the villains in the story. Whether films, animated series, comic book superhero plays are characterized by killings, cruelty, and violence that causes aggressive behavior in children and adults. In some instances, children become agitated, cruel, and they may end up hurting each other. The emergence of computer and online games involving superhero characters with vehemently outrageous characters engaged in endless war brings forth unruly behavior. Overconsumption of these superheroic content may lead to addiction at a very early age. In some instances, children can forget everything except the game, even about hunger.
Eventually, these children alienate themselves from the real world, become anti-social, irresponsible, and may end up falling into depression due to a lack of physical contact with people. At this stage, someone can easily commit murder. Superhero movies possess rich and complex myths that tap into the psychological needs and capture audience attention. Depending on the genre, overconsumption of these movies can form bias and unfounded perceptions on different analogies about life in children and teenagers. In the early development stages, superhero plays may create unwelcome distractions, interruptions, and contentious issues that inhibit the growth and development of the frontal lobe, which is responsible for memory, planning, judgment, reasoning, language, and speech. Later on, in the future, children can become abusive and without self-control.
It has also become increasingly evident that superhero plays have more deep-rooted problems in the body. Health practitioners say that the high sound effects of superheroic content cause a lot of noise that causes ear impairment in children and adults. Also, there is a concern for low concentration levels when doing more peaceful activities.
There is also a growing concern about imitation and adherence to rigid playing scripts in the day to days lives. Children and adults may exhibit obsessive play or replay of the movies, which simultaneously induces creativity and retention of information (Sigrid). It is also widely rumored that superhero movies impose morally wrong analogies of power, with some children bullying, fighting, abusing, and threatening their peers to establish dominance. In most cases, this is a replica of the superhero and villain. Lastly, some of the plays corrupt children’s morals as display content that emphasizes male dominance, portraying women as weak characters, and violent behavior as heroic (Gabriel). This misleads the children and creates the impression that it’s okay.
Taylor examines the impacts of Disney movies in multiple generations. The article gives an in-depth analysis of how Disney movies shape or break children’s perceptions about some of the most pressing issues and relationships in the world today. The characters, music, and the role do not exist in isolation; they often intersect with one another to produce social beliefs, ideals that become the new reality for many children. In particular, these content imposes myriad ideologies, unrealistic thinking and unfounded beliefs in mystical creatures, adventures, and the existence of superheroes and villains that blind their present-day reality. Moreover, they form stereotypical advice and prejudice against a particular gender, race, or ethnic background. Finally, the article concludes by relating Disney movies as a source of entertainment, great stories, and adventures that all children should get lost in the experience as a break from reality to a different world where everything is possible. Critics should be more civil about their judgment and let kids enjoy as much of the superhero content as possible because most of the criticism is primarily based on subjective approaches, personal histories deep-rooted on pacifism, and feminism. Therefore while the article is useful for the impact of Disney movies the research does not give room for a consensus on the role of Disney movies in the society
For generations, Walt Disney movies have had a considerable presence in the lives of young children and adults. Over the last decade, countless movies have been released to mark/serve different issues in society ranging from war, crime, evolving ideas about masculinity, feminism, and patriarchy. Anchored on lifelong lessons, morals, and education, coupled as a form of entertainment, Disney movies have had a vast impact on children as well as adults.
A typical Disney movie has a theme song and features a prince and a princess that takes over the world. The princess is a tall, slender, pale skin, and long-haired girl. These features, amongst other things, have been used as counter-intuitive arguments that Disney princesses impose stereotypical ideas into the minds of girls about how they should look like. For instance, in Snow White, Aurora, and Belle all resemble white girls living in a white supremacists world (Taylor). Over the last decade, Disney movies have been a subject of controversy as most films have been branded as racist and sexists. With this spiraling hot debate, Disney purports no high ground for racism or sexists and produces racist free content. But not much has been forthcoming as many more movies have shown instances of racism that are not princess-related. Most of the film seems to gravitate towards ethical bias on the grounds of violence, priorities, and education. For example, in the movie Aladdin, the theme song contains barbaric and violent theme lyrics that are termed retrogressive.
On the other hand, critics argue that Disney movies are sexist as the princess is portrayed as weak and in distress and in dire need for a man to save her. This is evident in the Disney movie Sleeping beauty; the princess accidentally pricks her finger and is put to sleep as she cannot be healed unless the prince kissed her. In the contemporary world, this scene is viewed as demeaning and belittling to the female gender. The emphasis of male power to save the princess is connoted as sexism. People categorically state that this limits the capability of girls to do things on their own as they are made to believe that a man must help them.
Conversely, at the same time, Disney movies have made a positive impact and shaped the lives of many children as they grow up. Many children can attest that they have known the real meaning of friendships from the antics of characters in Jungle’s book, Toy Story, The Lion King, and The Fox (Julia and Palm). While stories such as Moana, Peter pan gives the audience hope that anything is possible if we believe. Disney movies portray the same love for friendship, family, adventure, and our partners through different stories. Whether transversing the snowy mountains or the vast savannah grasslands, all Disney movie characters make the audience feel excited and in awe. They not only entertain but also teach us lessons and morals, such as accepting people for who they are and respect our differences. We learn the innate power of love for the ability to conquer all evils things in the world. Children who have grown up watching Disney abide by the vital lessons they have picked from various characters in the movies. Above all else, these movies boost the child’s creativity and imagination and instill in them at an early age the importance of hard work, friendships, and family. , all thanks to the great stories and adventure.