Child Behavior: Boys and Guns
Submitted by
Anonymous
I've never really understood these parents who get all up in arms about their little boys—or little girls, for that matter—playing with toy guns. Do they really think that a kid who pretends to shoot bad guys is going to become an adult who shoots people randomly? If kids grew up to be what they pretended to be, you would see a lot more princesses and cowboys nowadays.
I played guns with my older brother growing up, and neither of us owns guns or has ever even shot anything! My son is 4 and plays "violent games," and yet he's the most empathetic, sweet and gentle kid I know.
I think it's a mistake to micromanage play based on our very adult fears. I also think that kids these days are so stifled by overprotective parents that violent play is the only way they feel empowered and self-confident!
Instead of being so overprotective, let's just stand back and observe our kids as they play. We may learn something in the process.
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