Narratives, Superheroes, and Children (2020)

Martin, J. (2020, November 16). What’s in a Story?: How Sociomoral Narratives Can Inform Our Approach to Superhero Media.

• Draws on developmental research concerning understanding sociomoral narratives and applies the insights to common features of superhero narratives.

• Concludes with practical implications for content creators and parents/guardians concerning youth’s engagement with superhero media.

“In essence, these studies show that youth can understand and articulate their experiences as perpetrator and victim, and as those who help and those who harm; especially as they get older. However, they sometimes have difficulty considering: (1) emotions associated with and (2) multiple perspectives within those experiences. Such findings present an opportunity for superhero content creators to rethink how they use characterizations and plot points to broach moral concepts for their audience, particularly children and adolescents. Parents may also use these superhero narratives as a potential aid with their youth’s development of these sociomoral concepts.”