Are Superheroes of today 'bad role models'?

They defeat super villains and save the world, but are they really naughty little school boys?

Editorial Opinion
By MarvelousMarty - Aug 16, 2010 03:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Action
Source: guardian.co.uk

Professor Sharon Lamb, from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, has accused the modern breed of superheroes of being bad role models for today's generation of youngsters.

The Professor says todays crop of heroes, such as Ton Stark, "portray a negative masculinity, characterised by mindless aggression and rampant sexism".



Miss Lamb goes on to say "There is a big difference in the movie superhero of today and the comic book superhero of yesterday. Today's superhero is too much like an action hero who participates in non-stop violence; he's aggressive, sarcastic, and rarely speaks to the virtue of doing good for humanity,"



After powdering her nose she continued "These men, like Iron Man, exploit women, flaunt bling and convey their manhood with high-powered guns."



In contrast, Lamb said young boys could look up to the old-style heroes such as Superman, "because outside of their costumes they were real people with real problems and many vulnerabilities".

So are the current gang of heroes really corrupting our youth?

Is Bruce Wayne a sexist pig?

Should She-Hulk be cooking the Hulk's dinner?

I don't think so but one thing's for sure, although Professor Lamb won't be queuing to see The Avengers movie, she certainly won't be at home doing the hoovering!
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GreenHalJordan
GreenHalJordan - 8/16/2010, 6:30 AM
he reason why action movies and heroes are so big today is just because of ratings.when an explosion happens in real life, you are either like whoa what just happened or screaming for help. but if you put it on the big screen u get both reactions, but the screaming is for awesomeness. people still remember the courage that batman has that he used to overcome his fears and accept his parents death. he decided to do something about it and keep people safe. green lanters are sworn to protct the universe at no matter what cost, its thier duty. and superman will always stand for truth and justice amongst people.
P.S. that was just DC, lets not forget spiderman and captain america
Stumblin
Stumblin - 8/16/2010, 7:19 AM
Um... yeah I suppose if it was still the Golden Age of comics then yeah the sexist and racial issues would be true. Not so much now, this professor is pissing up the rope, people are not perfect. So to make a character that is completely innocent at all times gives false illusion to kids that that's the real world by this Lamb judgment of how influential comics are to kids.

God this is like the argument that video games promote violence it's an easy scape goat, and with comic books on the rise as a popular source for new movie content slaps a big target on our favorite reads.
Wadey09
Wadey09 - 8/16/2010, 10:26 AM
so far the only hero i've heard the Professor talk about is Iron Man. and even in the original comics, Iron Man was a rich womanizing playboy. i don't know why she's complaining really. Iron Man tells the story of how a self centered spoiled rich guy redeems himself and tries to help people.
granted Iron Man is an alcoholic, but that's a part of the mythology of the Golden Avenger.

every hero has their weakness. Superman is kryptonite. Batman, its paranoia on the border of a dissociative psychosis. for Iron Man, its tequila and any woman whose asize 4.

i'm surprised that she never mentioned the Punisher and how he KILLs people. and i cannot wait to see the look on her face when Marve unveils Hank Pym, the wife beater!
;p
SHHH
SHHH - 8/16/2010, 11:17 AM
Not all comic's are for kids....
marvel72
marvel72 - 8/16/2010, 1:50 PM
no they're not,if powergirl influnces young girls to get bigger boobs.

how is that bad.

no seriously,female charactors are in stronger roles nowadays for example storm was leader of x-men,it was really only in the past in a time when men went to work & women stayed at home.

StrangerX
StrangerX - 8/18/2010, 11:59 AM
This same topic just showed up on Yahoo
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