Okay, things are just getting a little ridiculous. I don't understand why people are getting upset about boys (and girls to a lesser extent) playing games like they describe. I did it as a kid, I play paintball wearing full military gear and have 2 sons who want to play when they are old enough. What is the big deal? As long as I, being their father, teach my kids right and wrong so they're well adjusted for life, they will grow up happy and healthy with a good attitude for others. It's the parents that blame "the system" or TV or music and not themselves for their childs misgivings and attitude that cause such a stink. All this politically correctness garbage is just getting out of hand. When my children can't play a game because some sociologist or so-called parent says it harms kids and I as the parent can't make the decision, something is wrong. Article /me goes to find my happy place - again
I agree. My son is 5 years old. My wife and I have never pushed certain toys or style of play on him. If anything, Ive tried to discourage the military stuff because I do not want him following in his dads footsteps and joining the Army. This is the most military oriented child I have ever seen. He is not happy unless he has a weapon in his hand (swords, guns, arrows) and is attacking or being attacked. Boys will be boys and that means playing cowboys 'n indians or war. Let it go people, sheesh!
Totally true. Why dont people actually concentrate on being better parents then blaming everyone else for their own wrong doings?
From what I can see, all the article says is that some parents are worrying about the effect of war games on their own children. Most of the experts quoted seem to think they're healthy. But if a parent doesn't want their child to take part in violent role play then that is entirely up to them. Nobody is being forced to tell their children they can't play paintball. No major studies are being launched telling parents not to let their kids play with GI Joe dolls. It's just an article about different forms of parenting. So what's the big deal here?
The fact that people are wringing their hands about if they are properly raising their kids and seeking validation from total stragers for starters...
In addition to what Eddie says, I've seen this whole thing balloon before. First it's just a seemingly innocuous story here than there, that (or those) story(s) ignite "parent groups" or the sociologists to do polls leading to research and studies which inevitably leads to strangers telling me that I'm a bad parent for letting my kids have a cap gun. It happend many times in the past, think Dungeons & Dragons, think Rock N Roll. What it all boils down to is a bunch of "experts" telling me how I should raise my children. Maybe I'm reading between the lines too much, but this is an extremely common start.
These day's you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. You're a "bad mother" if you work when you have kids. Yet you're a "scrounger" if you stay at home with them and claim benefits. Smacking children harms them mentally. Smacking children instils a sense of right and wrong. Etc. Who do you believe? You have no choice but to believe the only "expert" there is when it comes to your children. Yourself. The good advice eminating from all corners of the media tastes best with a nice big pinch of salt.
Well spoken and I fully agree. It just gets my goat and drives me up the wall when I see "results" from a study that tells me that I'm a bad parent.
