2021 Nowak-Fabrykowski, K. (2021). Heroes and Superheroes for Boys and Girls- Same or Different. Learner Conference, Krakow: Poland.

The main objective of this research project was twofold, first to investigate young children’s concept of heroes and superheroes by understanding the meanings and characteristics associated with them, and if there are differences in the perception of them of girls and boys. A qualitative method is based on interviewing 43 children ranging in age from 3- to 4-years and analyzing their responses using Whitehead’s (2005) emic approach. The results demonstrated that young children do not differentiate between the concept of heroes as a human and superheroes as fictional characters. All children believe that women can be heroes/superheroes. The differences between the girls’ and boys’ perceptions in the concept of hero and superhero were that more girls discussed heroes from the DC Detective Comics group like Batman, the PJ mask group movie, and the Family group -real people like mother, father, or sister. The boys were more likely to discuss characters from Star Wars and the Marvel group. In children’s understanding, you must have a weapon and special power to save the day. Most children except four would like to be heroes /superheroes and have a special power. Most young children’s ideas of heroism are revolved around fictional characters and unrealistic actions, and they don’t perceive humans as being able to do heroic acts.