Research about children’s and teen’s favourite characters

 

In their article “literature for young people and popular culture in Italy”, Abbà and Rossi (1962) found out what children and teens prefer in a particular comic books: Humanised animals, funny characters, adventure, violence, romanticism, characters physically “super”.

 

Quadrio (1968) found out that older children have less favourite comics than younger children; and normally, boys aged nine prefer classical funny (Mickey Mouse) and adventure genders, while girls choose classical funny and intellectual funny (Linus and Peanuts); when they grows up to 14 y.o., even though these interests persist, many of them (especially boys) start to be interested in black (noir) gender (Alan Ford, Satanik, Diabolik.)

 

Repossi, Leonelli and Pellegrino-Fabietti (1977) went in some primary schools in Milan, to get preferences,  dislikes and motivations of comic books choices, even though they knew that school context influences choices, because many children are afraid to be estimate by their teachers.

The favourite comic book was Mickey Mouse; children aged 8 prefered Tex Willer and disliked Diabolik, but it was the exact contrary in children aged 10 when Super-Ego becomes softer.

Some children aged 10 (especially girls) start to have sentimental motivation; many of them have a preference for Olive, (Popeye’s partner): the researchers supposed that so many preferences for a character like Olive, clumsy, ungraceful and not girlish, were declared when female have to elaborate anxiety related to the building of sexual identity.

 

Minelli (1992) found out that Mickey Mouse continues to be the Italian most favourite comic book.

 

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