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Men in Tights, Women in Tighter Tights: How Superheroes Influence and Inform the Perceptions of Gender and Morality in Children and Adolescents

Shively, Bradyn M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1482164420864626

Abstract Details

2016, BA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
Different types of media are widespread in today’s world. This litany of media can have a variety of influences, some positive and some negative. This is an especially important consideration in regards to children and adolescents, as they are experiencing media while they are still developing. One of the more controversial types of media that children and adolescents experience is that based around superheroes. Appearing in a wide variation (e.g., comic books, films, television shows, video games), superhero-based media can have varying influences. First, this paper uses the DC Comics superheroes Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman as evidence of some of the gender issues facing this type of media, examining how Superman and Batman are viewed as stronger and more agentic and how Wonder Woman is viewed as simultaneously feminist and oppressive. Second, this paper examines research reflecting the negative influences superhero-based media can have on gender ideas and perceptions, such as promoting stereotyped beliefs about gender, along with the positive influences it can have on morals, largely encouraging a healthy morality. Finally, this paper concludes with taking the discussed issues and applying them to the recent Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, as it is the first live-action film to feature the three aforementioned superheroes and it largely reinforces the issues discussed thus far.
J. Brad Shepherd, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Lee Fox Cardamone, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Leslie Heaphy, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Stephen Neaderhiser, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
48 p.
Psychology
media, gender, morality, superheroes, children and adolescents, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Shively, B. M. (2016). Men in Tights, Women in Tighter Tights: How Superheroes Influence and Inform the Perceptions of Gender and Morality in Children and Adolescents [Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1482164420864626

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Shively, Bradyn. Men in Tights, Women in Tighter Tights: How Superheroes Influence and Inform the Perceptions of Gender and Morality in Children and Adolescents. 2016. Kent State University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1482164420864626.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Shively, Bradyn. "Men in Tights, Women in Tighter Tights: How Superheroes Influence and Inform the Perceptions of Gender and Morality in Children and Adolescents." Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1482164420864626

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University Honors College and OhioLINK.