Comments on: Iraq Province Bans War Toys for Children: Should the US Follow Suit?

By: Crimson Wife

Crimson Wife — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:36:27 +0000

My parents banned violent toys and media growing up but my 2 brothers would turn innocuous objects into toy weapons. I see the same thing happening with my 3 year old son. Honestly, I think it’s the impact of testosterone…

By: Global Patriot

Global Patriot — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:11:06 +0000

I mainly agree with Tom’s comment on restrictions, as such tactics rarely work. I remember asking my son what the point was of pretending to kill someone. His answer was interesting; that he would never think of doing that to his friends, but video games were just pretend and that was okay.

While I’m still bothered by the level of violence portrayed in many video games, it was comforting that he knew the difference between graphic images and real people.

But Jennifer’s point is also valid, what are the effects in households where parenting is limited?

By: Jennifer Lance

Jennifer Lance — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:32:29 +0000

Tom, that is very well said. Banning will never replace proper parenting. But what happens when proper parenting does not exist?

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:54:20 +0000

Banning anything offensive is often the easiest, yet least effective method of education. Children are naturally attracted to what they can’t have, and sooner or later they WILL be exposed to violence, however hard the parent tries to restrict it. If they have had little or no exposure to this beforehand, the child will try and make their own judgments about these things and more often than not, they will place a small emphasis on human life. It’s up to the parent to slowly expose their children to such things, and to hold their children’s hand the way through and instill proper respect for human suffering and life.

By: Jamie Ervin

Jamie Ervin — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:07:59 +0000

I’ve never allowed guns of any kind (water, bb, etc…) but my husband did allow play guns for his son. So when we got married I had to give on that one to some extent. They are NEVER to be pointed at a person or an animal or used in a violent way. Son has a potato and marshmallow gun that his uncle made for him. He likes to shoot at targets and trees.

There will NEVER be any violent video/computer games in my house. My children aren’t even allowed to watch PG rated movies.

I feel there is a vast difference between playing soldiers or police officers and general violence/fighting.

It’s a fine line and one I wish we could avoid all together!

By: Jennifer Lance

Jennifer Lance — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:05:06 +0000

Terrebel, I love that slogan

Stephanie, I’ve seen the same thing at the school I work at. We have a motto, “No guns at school, pretend or otherwise.”

By: Stephanie - Green SAHM

Stephanie - Green SAHM — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:20:39 +0000

Violent video games are something I suspect my husband and I will have to discuss in a few years as my kids get old enough to consider them. Some of it may depend on how the focus goes… consider how many games have some violence, but the focus can be on completing tasks.

But definitely not something that rewards only violence or shows it too graphically.

Right now my kids have an Atari 2600 (cheap way to get video games for them!) and play on the kids’ sites online. I suppose you might technically say some of the games have violence, but it’s pretty abstract.

Guns are pretty tricky. I see my kids pretending all kinds of things are guns. They don’t need ones that look realistic or even remotely gun-like. The idea is completely ingrained without the help of the toy looking like one.

By: Terrebel

Terrebel — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:14:33 +0000

That’s why i also support Warchild who’s slogan is:”It’s not hard to get the child out of the war but how do you get the war out of the child?” Too many children grow up in war-situations.