Parents, Princesses, and Powers: An Examination of Young Children's Engagement with Princess and Superhero Culture Based on Indicators of Gendered Parenting

Both princesses and superheroes are highly salient parts of early childhood in the United States. Because of the gendered nature of both princesses and superheroes, it is possible that they represent a salient facet of children's early gendered environments, and may be associated with other facets of gendered parenting. The aim of this study is twofold: (1) to categorize patterns of young children's engagement with princess and superhero cultures using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) and (2) to examine whether children's profiles of engagement with princesses and superheroes are systematically associated with indicators of gendered parenting; approval of boy-typed and girl-typed play, parents' implicit attitudes about gender, and parents use of gendered language with their children. Using a sample of 404 parent-child dyads, we completed a Latent Profile Analysis of children's engagement with princesses and superheroes, identifying four profiles, Low Engagement, Princesses, Heroes, and High Engagement. Children's gender was related to their profile of engagement, but indicators of gendered parenting were not predictive of children's profile of princess/superhero engagement, apart from parent approval of girl-typed play. Finally, child gender did not moderate the relationship between indicators of gendered parenting and children's profile of princess/superhero engagement.

Automated summary

Princesses and superheroes are important aspects of early childhood in the United States. This study aims to categorize patterns of children's engagement with princess and superhero cultures and examine their association with indicators of gendered parenting. The findings suggest that children's gender is related to their engagement patterns, but indicators of gendered parenting have limited predictive power on children's preference for princesses or superheroes.