As superheroes shed their perfect, patriotic images and embrace more complex, troubling realities, the lessons they offer young people are shifting—raising new questions for parents, educators, and Thai society about what role pop culture plays in shaping the next generation. The latest research and commentary, highlighted in a recent article from Scientific American, detail how today’s children resonate less with flawless heroes like Superman and more with antiheroes struggling with their own traumas, reflecting a broader transformation not only in Hollywood but within youth culture worldwide (Scientific American).
This shift in superhero narratives is more than just movie storytelling; it offers insight into what today’s children are confronting—and what they look for in their role models. As Thai parents grapple with the same storm of global pop culture, internet trends, and local traditions, understanding how and why young people now idolize imperfect heroes is essential. In the past, superheroes embodied ideals of virtue, patriotism, and unblemished strength; today, they reflect mental health struggles, irreverence for rules, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. These characters—sometimes scarred by their pasts, unsure of their purpose, or openly disillusioned—mirror not just the obstacles modern youth face, but the ways children are learning to define power, resilience, and morality for themselves.
One telling example drawn from the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) installment, “Thunderbolts*”, features a squad of antiheroes led by Yelena Belova—a character who admits to feeling depressed and profoundly dissatisfied even as she demonstrates competence in her role. Gone are the easy distinctions between good and evil, replaced by complicated figures who make mistakes, question authority, and reveal the toll that trauma exacts on even the strongest. This resonates with the experience of many Thai children who are growing up under unprecedented exposure to social media, digital entertainment, and global news that often highlights chaos and complexity, rather than reassuring narratives of justice prevailing.
Notably, youth perspectives have changed. According to the Common Sense Media report “The State of Kids and Families in America 2025,” over half of parents—and even more of the children themselves—rated local children’s mental health as only “fair or poor.” A recent Pew Research Center survey also found a consensus among parents and teens: being a teenager today is harder than it was twenty years ago (Common Sense Media, Pew Research Center). While the data is drawn from the US, Thailand faces similar trends, with local authorities voicing concerns about youth mental health and the pressures of navigating an increasingly digital world. Even the Geena Davis Institute, in its 2024 review of mental health in children’s TV, advocates for media to depict characters explicitly grappling with psychological struggles—a shift evident in these new superhero portrayals.
What stands behind this change? Experts highlight how evolving cultural and social conditions shape what society needs from its heroes. In her recent academic work, the film and culture scholar whose commentary steers the Scientific American piece draws a direct line from wartime heroes like Wonder Woman—created as an alternative to violence and hypermasculinity in the 1940s—to today’s heroines and antiheroes. As Thai children encounter this new heroic mold, they may feel that struggling and showing vulnerability do not exclude someone from being powerful or admirable. “Media has always reflected the culture in which it’s made, as well as helped dictate cultural norms,” the scholar writes, emphasizing the importance of critical conversations between parents and children about what these characters teach.
Thailand’s own cultural touchstones feature a rich tapestry of legendary heroes and antiheroes, from Hanuman and Khun Chang-Khun Phaen to the exploits of Lilit Yuan Phai. Traditional Thai folklore often blends moral ambiguity, cleverness, and resilience—qualities now increasingly mirrored in global superhero stories. The popularity of both local and foreign heroes on Thai screens points to a youth culture eager to see their realities—struggles with family, peer conflict, or social injustice—depicted honestly in the media they consume.
Yet some adults remain uneasy with the grimmer tone these characters present. Concerns about nihilism and anxiety among Generations Z and Alpha are widespread both internationally and in Thailand, where the Department of Mental Health highlights rising rates of depression, suicide, and social anxiety among teenagers (Bangkok Post, Thai Department of Mental Health). Critics question whether darker narratives foster resilience or simply deepen a sense of hopelessness. On the other hand, advocates point to the value in portraying heroes who muddle through challenges—heroes who succeed not by perfection, but by surviving, adapting, and helping others even when their own lives are in turmoil.
For Thai families, the practical implications are clear. Rather than shielding children from all media that includes mature or challenging themes, specialists recommend parents engage in open dialogue. Discussing why a hero failed or what motivated an antihero’s choices can help children develop critical thinking, empathy, and a grounded sense of self-worth beyond social media validation or impossible standards. The Ministry of Education has recently promoted media literacy as essential for youth, urging integration of critical viewing skills into the national curriculum (Ministry of Education).
Thailand’s education system is also adapting to this shift. Teachers in urban and rural schools are increasingly employing superhero narratives to discuss topics like bullying, empathy, and problem-solving. For example, a guidance counsellor at a leading Bangkok international school remarked, “Kids are more willing to talk about their own struggles when they see characters who look invincible on the outside but admit to feeling lost or sad.” This openness has spurred new collaborations between teachers and parents, with workshops designed to use superheroes as springboards for conversations on identity, social responsibility, and mental wellness.
Looking ahead, the evolving depiction of heroes in pop culture may help bridge generational divides. If, as psychologists argue, today’s children must learn to navigate a more chaotic world—one with rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and environmental crises—then the superheroes they admire could offer both cautionary tales and inspiration. By embracing media that shows heroes struggling with mental health or breaking from tradition, Thai youth may discover that courage lies in seeking help, working with others, and daring to envision better outcomes—hallmarks of both traditional Thai values and contemporary resilience.
For parents and educators, the call to action is twofold: foster media literacy so children can decipher what makes a hero, and create supportive environments where conversations about failure and growth are normalized. Limiting access to problematic media is insufficient; instead, Thai society is encouraged to model critical engagement, guiding youth as they reinterpret what heroism means in a changing world.
To harness the potential of these new superhero stories, Thai families might try watching films together and pausing to discuss the moral “grey zones” characters encounter. Schools and communities can use local folklore and international icons alike to spark dialogue about what makes a hero—and when it is okay not to be perfect.
In a world where young people must “muddle through with what you have over meeting an impossible standard of all-powerful perfection,” as the Scientific American essayist observes, teaching Thai children to value empathy, resilience, and thoughtful reflection may be the greatest superpower of all.