Superheroes Become The Forces Of Evil In Young Children
By Alistair Owens www.keen2learn.co.uk
In Adelaide, Australia, childcare centres are increasingly banning the wearing of “Superhero†costumes by young children ages 3- 5. A letter advising of the ban of all superhero clothes and toys was sent after a noticeable increase in violent behaviour, intimidation and a severe lack of caring about other people. The removal of the costumes and toys has had an immediate benefit in the behaviour of the children.
The awful outcome of child violence in the UK with a 11 year old and his 10 year brother facing attempted murder and robbery on two other boys of the same age. A psychiatrist summarised their condition as children who were “morally empty.†Whilst this is an extreme case, there is a general concern over the disruptive element in classroom, with teachers being abused or attacked – even at home by abusive children and or their parents.
Perhaps any toy should be scrutinised for its ethical or moral content in the same way as film censorship ratings. Only toys or games having recognised educational content receiving support. But this will perhaps only influence the interested parent; the bigger problem concerns the growing number of disinterested parents that for some reason have abandoned their duties to the detriment of their children in particular and society at large.
