With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility

As a woman, I’m well aware of the stereotypes surrounding my gender. I know that I’m supposed to starve myself to be stick skinny, wear next to nothing to better allow for objectification by males, and forgo the pursuit of knowledge and betterment of self so as to spend more time in the lofty challenge of finding a spouse. And while I may carry around a chip on my shoulder, I’ve come to realize that societal influences do not just affect women. Men are also bombarded with their expected gender roles, and it starts at such a young age with superhero culture.

I used to applaud superhero movies for glorifying the “nerd.” Peter Parker would have been considered a Grade A Loser in a typical high school. He was bumbling and awkward and absolutely awful with girls. Clark Kent was a scholar, a journalist, too consumed with his intellect to bother with being cool. Then, through no fault of their own, their superhuman abilities were forced upon them. They went through times of resentment and insecurity. They resisted their new responsibilities. But through characteristics that made them “nerdy” and “uncool” in the first place -intellect, compassion, determination- they grew into their powers and became great men. It wasn’t a bad message to send to little boys. Own the things that make you unique. You don’t have to be a jock or the most popular guy in school to make a difference.

Nowadays though, the Tony Stark/Bruce Wayne superhero has taken over. Ironman and the Dark Knight have thrown out the idea of accidental greatness. They have taken their powers into their own hands, fashioning suits or belts that make them invincible. This, of course, is done through massive amounts of money. Ironman in particular glamorized superheroes as men who are wealthy, popular, powerful and womanizers. Now little boys have no alter ego’s to identify with. Today’s superheroes are a man’s man, with or without the suit.

The pressure on young children of both genders is enormous these days. There is a serious lack of realistic role models so they end up overextending themselves. All for what? Popularity? To reinforce societal “norms”? To fit in? It’s a corrupted system. And one that I can only hope will be challenged, and one day overturned, in the future.