Are war toys really so bad?

[Digital Planets]

My dad bought me some war toys when I was a kid. I reenacted the nuking of Hiroshima with them.

[Betoni]

Unfortunately, it is not expected that a parent today has any interaction with their children. Thus, it is missed that it doesn't at all matter what your toy looks like, rather how you play with it.

[Frank Zipper]

If you saw a news story about kids under IS being given toy suicide vests, I think the perception might be that yes that is harmful.

[Tokuopolis]

While I generally oppose real war and violence and think restrictions on weapons (gun control and the like) are a good idea, I don't think we should ban toy guns and things. They're not that immoral. I own a few. Mostly it was stuff like futuristic water pistols and stuff.

They allow us to recreate violence and the like without the real consequences. That isn't always a bad thing, as we do need a way to get out our rage.

Then again, I'm not a parent or an exact expert on these things.

My early childhood was one of an army brat who played with lots of army figures and got to stand inside military vehicles. Despite that, I always knew that war was a horrible thing, and not something that anyone should want to experience. Anecdotal experience aside, I've never seen any study to indicate that war toys cause violence, so I'm inclined to believe they're harmless, and possibly even beneficial by allowing children to vent their aggressive emotions.

Good point.

[Celibrae]

They're brilliant. I loved them.

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

I think its ridiculous how one can't even make a finger-gun pantomime as a kindergartener these days without everyone losing their minds, and getting kicked out of school for a while.

I grew up with toy guns and all manner of things that way. We played cops and robbers, and tons of games there weapons or such would be utilized, but we never hurt one another. We, believe it or not, understood the difference between play, make-believe, and reality. And in reality, we would not want to hurt our friends, or anyone else. Nor the local animals, nor people's property - you see where I'm going with this?

We were taught better than that. The toys had absolutely nothing to do with it. It was the teaching and understanding we had.

I grew up with the action movies too - and *gasp* D&D and other rpgs. Oh noes, violent games and movies, whatever will we ... oh yeah. Nothing. Didn't do anything violent on account. Neither have my kids, and while we have tried to keep things age-appropriate, they've also been taught the difference between movies, games, toys, and real things and people. And we haven't had any incidents. In fact, when son would get bullied at school, and we'd end up with a note sent home about the incident? The teachers all maintained that he was never the one to start it. BUT, if pressed, he would damn well finish it. I'm just fine with that.

So there you go. Teach fear, teach nothing but 'no no no', or 'good heavens that is just awful, take it away', and you'll get a bunch of spineless, fear-laden youth who don't understand the difference, don't have the proper respect for weapons and what they /can/ do, won't know how to handle themselves around them, or others who might pressure them or confront them with a weapon. You'll have kids who whine and carry on about every little goram thing that they feel 'threatens' them, and they'll lack the imagination to work around odd situations that haven't been pre-explained and laid out a piece at a time for them by their overprotective parents. Not that we have to worry about anything like /that/ happening though, right?

[The Grene Knyght]

It is probably noteworthy that the US military funds (not entirely, just partially) action movies and the like - which most of these toys come from...

[Valaran]

Its fine.

Of course I am an interventionist... maybe warhammer & Rome Total War didn't help matters

[The Grene Knyght]

It is probably noteworthy that the US military funds (not entirely, just partially) action movies and the like - which most of these toys come from...

Sometimes I like to puncture the Turkish flag with a toy knife

ok good 4 u

[Europe and Oceania]

Kids should be playing Call of Duty and other FPS and racing video games like I did when I was a kid.

They should get into Call of Duty Black Ops 3 and Battlefield 4.

[Sack Jackpot Winners]

As CM said, toys don't really matter. It's the upbringing.

[Grande Republic of Arcadia]

Are people really upset about "war toys"? This has to be a joke. What's next? Upset about stereotyping women with barbie?

it has already happened, there is just so many, so many feminists

[Grande Republic of Arcadia]

I think its ridiculous how one can't even make a finger-gun pantomime as a kindergartener these days without everyone losing their minds, and getting kicked out of school for a while.

I grew up with toy guns and all manner of things that way. We played cops and robbers, and tons of games there weapons or such would be utilized, but we never hurt one another. We, believe it or not, understood the difference between play, make-believe, and reality. And in reality, we would not want to hurt our friends, or anyone else. Nor the local animals, nor people's property - you see where I'm going with this?

We were taught better than that. The toys had absolutely nothing to do with it. It was the teaching and understanding we had.

I grew up with the action movies too - and *gasp* D&D and other rpgs. Oh noes, violent games and movies, whatever will we ... oh yeah. Nothing. Didn't do anything violent on account. Neither have my kids, and while we have tried to keep things age-appropriate, they've also been taught the difference between movies, games, toys, and real things and people. And we haven't had any incidents. In fact, when son would get bullied at school, and we'd end up with a note sent home about the incident? The teachers all maintained that he was never the one to start it. BUT, if pressed, he would damn well finish it. I'm just fine with that.

So there you go. Teach fear, teach nothing but 'no no no', or 'good heavens that is just awful, take it away', and you'll get a bunch of spineless, fear-laden youth who don't understand the difference, don't have the proper respect for weapons and what they /can/ do, won't know how to handle themselves around them, or others who might pressure them or confront them with a weapon. You'll have kids who whine and carry on about every little goram thing that they feel 'threatens' them, and they'll lack the imagination to work around odd situations that haven't been pre-explained and laid out a piece at a time for them by their overprotective parents. Not that we have to worry about anything like /that/ happening though, right?

and im lucky I outgrew toys right when the PC aka the "Pussy craze" hit again because I LOVED playing with GI joes and guns when i was five. I remember when I still lived on fort Lewis my Dad and I would play army when he got off work, then me and soem of the neighborhood kids would do the same, and guess what Im fine.(Im 14 right now)

[Washington Resistance Army]

I think its ridiculous how one can't even make a finger-gun pantomime as a kindergartener these days without everyone losing their minds, and getting kicked out of school for a while.

I grew up with toy guns and all manner of things that way. We played cops and robbers, and tons of games there weapons or such would be utilized, but we never hurt one another. We, believe it or not, understood the difference between play, make-believe, and reality. And in reality, we would not want to hurt our friends, or anyone else. Nor the local animals, nor people's property - you see where I'm going with this?

We were taught better than that. The toys had absolutely nothing to do with it. It was the teaching and understanding we had.

I grew up with the action movies too - and *gasp* D&D and other rpgs. Oh noes, violent games and movies, whatever will we ... oh yeah. Nothing. Didn't do anything violent on account. Neither have my kids, and while we have tried to keep things age-appropriate, they've also been taught the difference between movies, games, toys, and real things and people. And we haven't had any incidents. In fact, when son would get bullied at school, and we'd end up with a note sent home about the incident? The teachers all maintained that he was never the one to start it. BUT, if pressed, he would damn well finish it. I'm just fine with that.

So there you go. Teach fear, teach nothing but 'no no no', or 'good heavens that is just awful, take it away', and you'll get a bunch of spineless, fear-laden youth who don't understand the difference, don't have the proper respect for weapons and what they /can/ do, won't know how to handle themselves around them, or others who might pressure them or confront them with a weapon. You'll have kids who whine and carry on about every little goram thing that they feel 'threatens' them, and they'll lack the imagination to work around odd situations that haven't been pre-explained and laid out a piece at a time for them by their overprotective parents. Not that we have to worry about anything like /that/ happening though, right?

and im lucky I outgrew toys right when the PC aka the "Pussy craze" hit again because I LOVED playing with GI joes and guns when i was five. I remember when I still lived on fort Lewis my Dad and I would play army when he got off work, then me and soem of the neighborhood kids would do the same, and guess what Im fine.(Im 14 right now)

No shit, I did the same. Living at Lewis was pretty great.

[Grande Republic of Arcadia]

and im lucky I outgrew toys right when the PC aka the "Pussy craze" hit again because I LOVED playing with GI joes and guns when i was five. I remember when I still lived on fort Lewis my Dad and I would play army when he got off work, then me and soem of the neighborhood kids would do the same, and guess what Im fine.(Im 14 right now)

No shit, I did the same. Living at Lewis was pretty great.

Best place I lived and when I get at the age to join I hope I get stationed there

[Red-China]

I was an incredibly violent child.

I am now incredibly non-violent.

[The Two Jerseys]

Kids should be playing Call of Duty and other FPS and racing video games like I did when I was a kid.

They should get into Call of Duty Black Ops 3 and Battlefield 4.

Not gonna lie, playing all that Need For Speed probably made me a better driver in real life.

[Kubra]

No shit, I did the same. Living at Lewis was pretty great.

Best place I lived and when I get at the age to join I hope I get stationed there

So you think war toys are A-ok but wanna join the military
and dude you like 14
cmon man you're the archetype for what folks are mad at

[Grande Republic of Arcadia]

Best place I lived and when I get at the age to join I hope I get stationed there

So you think war toys are A-ok but wanna join the military
and dude you like 14
cmon man you're the archetype for what folks are mad at

the reason why I want to join the military is because my father was in the Army, That is why, and plus the Vet. benefits are nice

[Kubra]

So you think war toys are A-ok but wanna join the military
and dude you like 14
cmon man you're the archetype for what folks are mad at

the reason why I want to join the military is because my father was in the Army, That is why, and plus the Vet. benefits are nice

which is probably why you spent your childhood playing army innit

[Grande Republic of Arcadia]

the reason why I want to join the military is because my father was in the Army, That is why, and plus the Vet. benefits are nice

which is probably why you spent your childhood playing army innit

and thats what boys do, you do know that boys tend to play war right? well exept my cousins who heard of a gun when they were 7 and they could only play 'water guns' and now the oldest is 8 and I think he can play guns now.

[Kubra]

which is probably why you spent your childhood playing army innit

and thats what boys do, you do know that boys tend to play war right? well exept my cousins who heard of a gun when they were 7 and they could only play 'water guns' and now the oldest is 8 and I think he can play guns now.

Children may fight or compete, maybe as sides or factions or gangs, but whether or not they'll see it as a war and see themselves as soldiers is something else entirely. I'm guessing you lot did.

[Grande Republic of Arcadia]

and thats what boys do, you do know that boys tend to play war right? well exept my cousins who heard of a gun when they were 7 and they could only play 'water guns' and now the oldest is 8 and I think he can play guns now.

Children may fight or compete, maybe as sides or factions or gangs, but whether or not they'll see it as a war and see themselves as soldiers is something else entirely. I'm guessing you lot did.

no not really and Im guessing you dont know how kids play war, or soldiers or what ever you want to call it.

[New Axiom]

So you think war toys are A-ok but wanna join the military
and dude you like 14
cmon man you're the archetype for what folks are mad at

the reason why I want to join the military is because my father was in the Army, That is why, and plus the Vet. benefits are nice

The veteran benefits are nice, if you survive to become a vet. There's always that chance, as sad as it is.

Anyways, my new GI Joe came today. More war will be played out on my living room floor!

[New haven america]

As someone who's played with both war toys and non war toys, nope.