Superman Has many positive effects on children!
Children transitioning
As we take a look into today’s society, many children are having a hard time transitioning into the real world. This brings me to my first positive effect Superman has on society, mainly children and teens. Superman, for 75 years has been there for children when no one else has. Children who may have mental problems, physical problems or emotional problems can always, no matter what, turn to Superman to make their day that much better. Picture yourself as a parent (if you’re not already) and imagine your child being left out at school, or mentally ill and has no one except for you, as the parent to turn to. Wouldn’t you want someone that your child could look up to and know that no matter the problem, they would accept them? Superman has that ability to help children day in and day out. Parents around the world have been saying that Superman almost acts as a third parent that helps them more than a babysitter or someone that their child can look up to in the real world. I know, from experience that growing up is hard; especially in a society filled with negativity, social stress and many other factors that can weigh a child down. Seeing a Superhero have such a great impact on children helps me, as an individual have hope in society. This is one of the main points that my research focused on; how Superman has that ability to not only save lives in the “Superhero World” but here in the real world as well.
Is Superman Helping in Schools?
Superman is indeed helping in schools. Many teachers are finding it harder and harder to keep their students on the road to success because they don't have the motivation for reading, writing or arithmetic. Not to fear, Superman is here to save the day. In an online article by author, Mort Weisinger, he talks about the villain being bad grammar. Weisinger specified on this topic; Superman helping children learn and being a positive effect. In this article, Weisinger says, "Harold Downes, former English instructor in a Lynn, Massachusetts, high school, made the not-too-surprising discovery that his pupils didn't want to learn grammar. But Downes noticed their pockets were stuffed with comic books, particularly Superman. So off he went to Superman, Inc., in New York (Weisinger)."
There, at Superman, Inc., editors came out with multiple types of Superman work books ranging from grammar to punctuation, all the way to mathematics (Weisinger). Now, students can put forth their utmost efforts in their studies and have fun doing it. Superman truly does save the day, and someday, these children will thank him.
There, at Superman, Inc., editors came out with multiple types of Superman work books ranging from grammar to punctuation, all the way to mathematics (Weisinger). Now, students can put forth their utmost efforts in their studies and have fun doing it. Superman truly does save the day, and someday, these children will thank him.
Superman: a Symbol of hope and a positive attitude toward our nation
Since the creation of Superman, he has been a peace maker during times of war. Maybe not with the enemy, but for our citizens. Superman has always given them that sense of relief knowing that everything will be alright. Just like many Americans believe in Santa Claus during their childhood, Superman is believable as well.
Mort Weisinger uses a great example in his online article. During war, many United States military equipment used the Superman symbol on their vehicles (Weisinger). Weisinger wriites, "On D-Day an infantry major, worried about morale, told war correspondents: "When I saw one of our boys in our landing craft nonchalantly reading a copy of Superman, I knew everything would be all right (Weisinger)." This goes to show that Superman, in fact, was a great help during the war just being with everyone mentally and creating that positive attitude to help us defeat our fears.
Mort Weisinger uses a great example in his online article. During war, many United States military equipment used the Superman symbol on their vehicles (Weisinger). Weisinger wriites, "On D-Day an infantry major, worried about morale, told war correspondents: "When I saw one of our boys in our landing craft nonchalantly reading a copy of Superman, I knew everything would be all right (Weisinger)." This goes to show that Superman, in fact, was a great help during the war just being with everyone mentally and creating that positive attitude to help us defeat our fears.
Sources:
Weisinger, Mort. "Here Comes Superman." Identity Crisis: The Many Faces of The Man of Steel. Dec. 2000. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.