Gerard Jones - Killing Monsters: Why Children Need Fantasy, Superheroes and Make-Believe Violence (2002)

Children choose their heroes more carefully than we think. From Pokemon to rapper Eminem, pop culture icons are not simply commercial pied pipers who practice mass hypnosis on our youth. Indeed, argues the author of this paean to the power of popular culture, make-believe violence plays an essential role in children's development.

Rather than dismissing action heroes and video games, Jones calls for parents, teachers and everyone else who cares about the next generation to learn why these entertainments hold such enormous appeal and how they can help children develop in a healthy way. Drawing on a wealth of true stories, many gleaned from the workshops he conducts, and basing his claims on extensive research, including interviews with psychologists and educators, Gerard Jones explains why validating our children's fantasies teaches them to trust their own emotions and build stronger selves.

www.isbn.nu/0465036961 - www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Jones