Positive parenting for boys
Think back to the superheroes that saved the world when you were a kid. Imagine their crazy colored costumes, witty catchphrases, and desire to promote peace for the good of all mankind. Now, take a look at today’s superheroes, with their semi-automatic machine guns and their “blinged out” lifestyles. A little different, wouldn’t you agree? Some psychologists at the 118th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association think so, and have begun to blame stereotypical male behaviors boys today tend to exhibit on these super different, yet still super prominent, modern superheroes.
The cartoon characters are affecting boys’ abilities to distinguish between right and wrong, and are negatively affecting family relationships and friendships, says a study from Arizona State University. Researchers observed 426 boys in grades six through eight for stereotypical, “macho” male behaviors, like acting physically tough or autonomous, in their relationships. They also studied whether ethnicity was a factor, and if resisting these behaviors and stereotypes affected the boys’ psychological health. The results? Ethnicity doesn’t make a difference—but boys who have close relationships with their mothers acted less tough and were more open with their friends, siblings and peers. On the other hand, boys who were closer with their fathers were more self-directed and detached from friends.
Boys who didn’t exhibit a “macho” attitude in relationships had better psychological health, especially in middle school, the study says. However, their ability to resist acting like the “tough guys” they see on TV or in comic books weakens as boys reach adolescence. So, encouraging boys to be kind and empathetic early on is one key to improved psychological health and social relationships. Fathers should explain the importance of close relationships to their sons and let them know that having emotions is not a sign of weakness, but instead, a sign of being human, researchers conclude.
-Angela, KIWI intern
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