Discussions
Should Kids Be Allowed to Play with Guns (etc.)?
Posted by lotusb • 9/15/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: child rearing
A topic posted by Stayfitbug found here:
www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/can-a-woman-raise-a-boy-into-a-man#commen...
..sparked an interesting concept.
Question: Do you think toys and activities should be censored for your children (by you the parent)? Example: would you allow your 6 year old to play with a toy gun (not a brightly painted water gun)? Would you allow your 13 year old child to play Grand Theft Auto? Would you allow your 8 year old to watch MTV or BET?
Where does that line fall for you personally in either you experiances as a parent, or your standards as they are today from your childhood or how you wish to raise the children you will one day have?
User Comments
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My bro & I weren't allowed to play w/guns (besides the brightly colored water pistols,) have candy cigarettes or play many video games. At least until dad passed on when we were 9. I decided long ago not to have kids. A big part of that decision was an inability to protect them effectively from the horrible effects of the mass media (which I had succumbed to in my own youth.) -
My sister and I practically raised my Godson and we agreed that we wouldn't let him play with guns, except for water pistols, that's it. He likes video games a lot but I'm damn sure to check the classification before I buy them (I'm his video game provider now, jajajaja).
My brothers, uncles and my dad are (were in my Dad's case) hunters. So, there are riffles and arches at home but, both of my brothers took their kids hunting only after training them on the use of the guns at a shooting ring after they were 12 years old or so. They knew that guns are NOT toys. -
I am all for the right to bare arms and the right to arm bears. It is a responsibility thing. We have guns and they are for hunting and protection,. They are locked up in a gun safe and the ammo is locked up in another place in the house. We let our son have toy guns but we do not let him point them at people, animals, or cars houses and such. It is all the way you raise them and teach them about gun saftey. With his bb gun (which he has to have an adult with him to use) he already knows to put the saftey on and point it up at the sky. He is very safe with it. He has been taught that they are to be respected. He doesnt even touch them with out permission.-
That's how I grew up with guns. I was 6 when my father started teaching me to shoot (a single shot .22 rifle). I used to hunt (I do not believe in sport hunting, only hunting for food).
My dad had 7 kids and we were all taught to use firearms safely as young children and it has stuck with us all our lives. Personally, I think that's a better choice than gun prohibition...it prevents gun ignorance that can be fatal. -
Shooting a gun into the sky is not safe. I know someone personally who died of a bullet through the head because someone shot into the sky and the bullet came through their ceiling.
Personally I think with guns your taking a chance. I was also raised passively in regards to the right to bear arms, in that we though it was an out dated and dangerous "right". -
She didnt say shoot in the sky she said point it at the sky. Ie soldiers marching style
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In my opinion the answer is NO, they will get so familiar with those guns and would be easier for them to take it again without fear. For any child is a secret what is the function of a gun and what is it for, so I think it can be determinant for their future.-
Baloney. How is ignorance of guns, their function and safe handling better than knowing what they do and how to prevent accidental injury of others through safe handling practices?
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As I said my sister and I were not raised around guns. My sister chose later in her life to purchase them with her husband. They went to shooting ranges, took safty classes and bought with an educated mind state. Growing up without guns in your life won't make you an idiot about them when or if you get one later...unless your ALREADY an idiot.
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Yes, to all the above. I don't believe any of those activities are harmful in themselves. Most children are able to grasp the difference between a game and real life, violence and fantasy. If that weren't the case we'd have to eliminate half the books in the library. I played with guns as a child, loved to pretend I was Shane or Will Kane in High Noon, but I literally wouldn't hurt a fly.-
I don't think books are an acception here. I wouldn't allow my child to read a book that I felt was out of their age range of appropriate exposure. And YES violence in games and activities IS misleading to children. It desensitizes them and makes them less likely to understand consequences to violent behaivior. Yes there are many acceptions to this rule, but generally speaking violent games, especially video games have been an on going concern to teachers and childcare professionals because they see first hand the result of it (when mommy and daddy aren't around).
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Lotus-I have to disagree out of my own experience. Every childhood friend I had played with guns and not a single one has ever committed a violent crime. In fact, most of them are anti-war activists and pacifists. I think all this stuff about video games "causing" teenagers to be violent is an easy fix and hogwash.
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Again, there are acceptions to the rule as well.
And might I ask how old you are? -
I agree np. Prevention will cause kids to seek what is forbidden. As SV said pure baloney. -
Well I'm living proof that that's wrong and so is my sister. I was raised to avoid guns, there were none in our homes. I grew up in the once murder capital of the US (oakland, Ca) and we had every reason to have weapons but didn't. As an adult I learned how to handle a gun saftly although I do not beleive in having them in my home. If I NEEDED to use on, I could. But I choose not to nor will I have any in my home as a parent.
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they can play with guns but not watch BET & MTV or play those bad games -
I played with toy guns even when it wasn't allowed at home. In school for required military training I was taught how to assemble .22 and rifle. In school guns weren't allowed when i was a kid. But since i was running with the4 boys, I played guns with them. Now it didn't turn me into pro violence.
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there were days when my mom wanted my brothers and me to play with real guns with real ammo in the closet.
i think it was her way of coping. -
I grew up shooting guns. I played grand theft auto when I was 13. Video games and violent shows movies etc are just a scape goat for bad parenting.
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And now yellow eyes have plans for you.
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I think it's bad parenting to sit your child in front of mind numbing entertainment, and violent toys instead of teaching them something more worthwhile like music, art, literature, sports or outdoor activities like biek riding, hiking and boating.
I'm sure when I have a kid I'll find better things to entertain them with. -
I have my magic cult so im good
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And Ruby?....
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Yes and ruby. The hot brunette version. Lotus I did all of what you stated. I rarely was in the house. But every now and again I would play a video game.
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I have a few guns. I was taught at an early age how to shoot. It is sport you keep them locked in your cabinet. -
I agree with u on the video games and stuff... I will NOTT let my kids play that crap!!! Movies,well I hate to say it,but I'm not gonna let my girls get all brittany...o hell 2 the no!!! They are gonna have class just like their mama. Period end of story!!!
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Yes to guns. No to video games... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Now you are just talking crazy! -
You can't be serious? I learned to shoot because I'm from the south. My grandfather had a collection of guns and 3 of them were from the civil war,and one was from the actual american revolution. I was taught from a very young age what to do and how to handle a gun.
Ummmmm NO I don't want my girls knowing how to pick up a hooker off brooks and jefferson so some dudes can run a train on them!!!! That's what you get from grand theft auto........SERIOUSLY...HMMMMMMMM
Think about it
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Toy guns and the like really help them understand reality. There's a reason why warriors are associated with justice, strength, integrity and honor. They help bring ideals like toughness, fairness, and standing up for the opressed in to their imagination. They help make kids more assertive and secure in themselves. They help men understand who they are, and although TT will probably say something about peace, may I remind you that one of the greatest internationalist, peacemaking presidents who ever lived (John F. Kennedy) was also a very manly man who was awarded the Medal of Honor for naval action in World War II. Paintball guns and Airsoft encourage physical activity and exercise, and spur in children a healthy competitive and mischievious edge. They also, as SV pointed out, can help educate them (especially life-like ones like Airsoft and Paintball) about handling the real kind responsibly and safely.
I might restrict video games, but it wouldn't be for violent content. I'd restrict video games (maybe even eliminate them entirely, along with television, maybe not even own the things they cost too much anyways!) so my kids actually spend time outdoors and being productive. If they do play inside, it should be imaginative play, or reading books, or socializing, or trying new things like reassembling radios or having perhaps too much fun with the stove tops and various ingredients from the store.-
HERE,HERE 2 that! That is exactly what I'm talking about!!!!!
PS my girls get a chair and help me with dinner every night!!!
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I used to play with toy cap guns when I was young and I didn't turn into a criminal. I don't own a gun now but I fully respect the gun. -
When I was a kid I had a toy gun that looked very real (excluding the orange cork at the end.) I also watched violent movies as a child. Yet today I am strongly against gun ownership and violence. -
Raised to know that guns could be dangerous and could KILL - DEAD - BANG - OVER... NO MORE.
Respect for the weapon and the damage it can cause - and the respect for life and property.
The knowledge that weapons are to be used for HUNTING, SAFETY, PRACTICE and SPORT Only...
If you point a weapon at a person - you might as well pull the trigger.
Those and the knowledge of how a gun operates instead of blind ignorance, is the importance of gun safety.
How many people in Europe do you hear that their children accidentally shot someone else?
Not very freaking many...
How many loonies in Europe have gone shooting people randomly?
Not very freaking many....
And why?
Because in some countries it is a LAW that every house have weapons inside it...
And they teach their children right from wrong.
It's like a car - if you run it into people it is a death machine.
If you drive it safely - it is a transportation device.
How YOU use it - and how you understand it and the operation of it - is UP TO YOU!
Yes - kids should NOT PLAY.... PLAY --- with guns.
They should be TAUGHT how to PROPERLY use them and they should be supervised. -
I have always let my children play with whatever TOYS they wish. That is why they are called toys, to stimulate creative PLAY. Why should I (or anyone else) decide what is fun for them. Playing with toy guns is actually less violent than going out and playing football or hockey. The strange thing is that when they play with guns they are usually imitating cops or army men killing someone. I think its funny that we label police and the military as "heros", but they are the ones that give our children the idea that it is acceptable to kill other people (because they are the "good" guys fighting the "bad" guys). I have never seen them play with toy guns and pretend to be a hunter of animals (maybe zombies or aliens).
I also take my children shooting (which is not playing) so that they can see the reality of guns. I do stress the fact that though they shoot guns, they are not allowed to become police officers or join the military. I would hate for them to grow up and kill someone just because someone else pays them or tells them to do it. -
As far as I can remember, my brother and I never had toy guns and my father prohibited it. We were allowed toys bows and arrows though. We were only allowed to watch an hour of TV and most of our play activites took place outside in the garden, running around, climbing trees and getting our knees scraped. We were encouraged to read, draw and paint.
I don't have a child but if ever I do, I think I would raise them in the same manner and upbringing that my parents raised me. -
I grew up with an arsenal of toy guns, yet I despise war and violence. I also grew up watching the Vietnam War on the evening news. It helped teach me what real guns can do. -
Ehh it's tricky but I'm going to go with I don't think it matters and a difference between toy and reality best be made known anyway. It's a part of real life and at some point, they'll be aware of what those things can truly do.
I grew up playing video games, watching wrestling and every horror movie that was out. Absolutely loved gore-fests. I remember playing Wolfenstein, Doom, and tons of others whose names are not blessing me with their presence. I am still mostly sane and am aware of what choices are the better choices to make (aka not going gun happy).
I don't understand how anyone can be warped by any of those games ( I personally started at about age 4-5) but I guess it depends on the person or don't know. It does boggle me a bit. -
I'm a bad mom. I let my kids play video games, watch the Simpsons, and have play guns.
But I also noticed how they played, didn't allow the video games and tv to be more important than running outside and playing and we did many other activities too.
Play guns are play guns and my children grew up in hunting and fishing country so they know the seriousness of a real gun or a cross bow or a knife. Both boys took hunter safety courses, even the one who's never hunted. They knew the reality of guns and that, in my opinion, was my job to teach.
And as they grew to appreciate boobs, I let them watch the Man Show. I was in the roon and commercial time was my time to talk but we had some of our best talks about respect and sex and responsiblity in those commercial breaks.
Because I knew my children, who they were and what their issues were, I knew when something was affecting them badly and there were games not allowed in my home because I knew it wouldn't be good for them. Know your children, know what's bad for them based on who they are and never be afraid to nitice their faults. Chances are they'll grow up just fine as long as you active parent.-
Allowing your kids to play video games, watch the Simpsons and play guns doesn't make you a bad mother. There are different types of parents - some are old-fashion, some laid-back, some strict, etc. It's just a mattter of having a bit of balance. Too less or too much of anything cannot be good for a child. Reading your post I think you raise your kids in the best way you think you know how. It might not be the best for another parent but at he end of the day, there is no perfect parent.
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playing guns is safer than the live acorn bullets we used to throw at each other, until someone lost an eye. (actually, that didn't happen, but we did get hit near the eye).-
crabapples left a nasty welt too
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we saved crabapples to throw at the 18 wheeelers on the highway on halloween
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I thought that's what those little orange berries were for.
we made potato launchers... my parents wouldn't let us have tv
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When i was a child, we were not alowed to play with toy guns. My parents wanted to instill in us that guns were not to be taken lightly. This is not to say that they are anti-gun people in the least. They owned a good number of guns and enough ammo to last through the commie invasion/the federal government coming to pry them from our cold dead fingers. They also had no problem with letting the rest of the world know of their beleif in fully unregulated firearm use with bumperstickers proclaimin stuff like "America Wasn't Won With A Registered Gun" ...but I digress.-
Fingers are a good replacement for toy guns.
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we used scrap lumber and nails... great for spiked clubs too
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If you have them play with Airsoft guns or something else that stings a little, they still won't take them lightly.
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hell no -
When I was growing up in the 60's; having a gun meant wild west heroism, John Wayne and the OK Coral! I would also go hunting with my father and grandfather every winter up in northern Michigan. So, "playing with guns" was a natural... and years later; I still haven't shot anyone. -
Do you think toys and activities should be censored for your children (by you the parent)? It depends. I would not allow my daughter to play with the breast feeding doll.
would you allow your 6 year old to play with a toy gun (not a brightly painted water gun)? Yes, I would. I grew up playing with cap guns and I am not a gun carrying person. I also played with the candy cigarettes and I don't smoke but I won't allow my kids to.
Would you allow your 13 year old child to play Grand Theft Auto? No, I hate looking at that game. The difference between this and cap guns is this throws in a make believe illegal act. The cap gun can help teach gun safety and responsibility. I grew up with guns and rifles all over my house and that is what our cap guns were used for.
Would you allow your 8 year old to watch MTV or BET? Currently, no. When it was just music yes. Now it's just garbage.
Where does that line fall for you personally in either you experiances as a parent, or your standards as they are today from your childhood or how you wish to raise the children you will one day have? The age my children are now has a few differences than when I was their age. They have internet, I didn't. This is used as an educational resource in my household. I didn't have MTV, neither do they. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to get it and by that time it had become garbage TV. Nearly everything my kids watch and do has every thing to do with education. I draw the line with shows like Power Rangers. I can come up with no redeeming qualities for it. Even with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle I can come up with something they're all artists. I have to be able to teach with it if I am going to use it. -
My grandsons are hunters, looking forward to the approaching hunting season. All of them have guns but all have been trained to use them from the time they were old enough to hold a weapon. They follow a hunters code of ethics, meaning whatever they kill, they must eat; no waste; show a measure of respect for the animals that gave their lives to feed their hunger. Around here, rifles and shotguns are considered tools.
Still, their parents (my kids) are not keen on blood 'n guts games, certain TV shows or any activity that involves random, senseless violence with or without a laugh track. -
The bug is back for the evening folks. Now i will reply to you all shortly, but here is an introduction into my early years up until now
1) Had many toy guns from cartoons such as transformers to thundercats
2) Had many water pistols, evolving to super soakers
3) loved guns in films (obsessed)
4) Had posters of all types of guns (inspired by video games like resident evil
5) Today everyones fave video games (call of duty, grand theft auto)
which are strictly guns guns guns
I've been super obsessed with all of those at some point in my life, and have i ever thought to go out and get one? No.
It's all down to the individual, and if one decides to use it for violence or whatever, that is a personal problem that person has. The weapon they choose is irrelevant.
Guns don't kill people
People kill people!
So unless you know your child suffers from some mental imbalance, then they are fine to play with them. -
A new discussion for YOU www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/who-are-the-hotties-in-bc
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Basically I would say that this will affect child's development on all the stages that he/she will be undergoing through out his growth. In so saying the use of toy guns by children is not accepted. -
absolutely not, a student at my daughters school brought a 'cap gun' and showed it to her saying 'dont tell the teachers I brought a gun to school' and she was TERRIFIED. We called the police and had them go to the little boys house (he was in first grade)
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