Jinx wrote:
>
> > Sure, take away the toy guns, just be aware
>
> I have to disagree in the case of something like Forward
> Command Post. Don't you think that game has crossed
> a line ? Toy soldiers, guns, swords etc, not really a problem
> for me. A reaistic scenario like that as entertainment for
> 5-year-olds is something else. And in gun-crazy America ?
> Hardly any surprise there's a back-lash


Kids are kids and soldiers are soldiers. Even without
plastic toy props kids are going to play war games etc.
The games kids make in their heads (which IS a healthy
part of mental development) are just as violent as
anything you will see on TV. I remember being about
10 years old and playing "sniper" in the treehouse,
trying to dig man traps and getting too tired before
we got it 18 inches deep, etc etc. Didn't matter that
we only had toy guns carved from wood, whether the
toys are there or not the children NEED to practice
and develop these skills and will do so unless forced
to deny their natural development.

Ever seen kittens or puppies biting and wrestling each
other? Would it be better to isolate them and force
them to abandon such violent practices?

Probably the greatest problem I see today for children
is total apathy and lack of drive. How much better to see
them building treehouses, sourcing materials, hitting
their thumbs with hammers and even play hunting each
other in teams, than to sit brainless in a sterile
safe room with the playstation...
-Roman

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