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I'm afraid of my toys.
Each year as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, toy manufacturers try to convince children that true Christmas joy lies in getting the right toy. For little girls that usually means many things in pastels and dolls with tiny waists and big pocketbooks whose main purpose in life is to be a consumer. For little boys it usually means figures that fight and the weapons they need to stage a war. On Christmas morning, children chase each other around the stable of the Prince of Peace wearing camouflage pajamas, while shooting realistic looking toy guns. Many children then spend the evening doing battle with the latest video games.
Every time we purchase a toy, we communicate our adult values to the children who receive these toys. Through play, children imitate our values. Do we want children to assume that war has great value to us by giving them war toys? Do we want them to think that disputes and differences are best settled by force, or that the world is divided up into good guys and bad guys?
We may not be able to shelter children from all forms of war play. They may still hold out a finger to imitate a gun. And when a country is at war, children may imitate what is happening in society, engaging in even more war play. We need to explain to children, at their own level of understanding, the meaning and consequences of real war - that real people do not get up when shot with a real gun. War is not a game.
Mechanized war toys do not require or develop courage and creative problem-solving. They are substitutes for courage. They lead children to think that everything can be settled by pushing a button or pulling a trigger. Today, when war has become a destroyer of whole populations, we must stop encouraging children to make a game of killing, especially with toys of destruction.
We need to realize that war toys condition children to accept something which is unacceptable. If as adults they try to use weapons to settle differences, they will fail, and the human race will be the victim.
What Can Concerned Adults Do?
1. DISCUSS THE MEANING OF WAR AND PEACE WITH CHILDREN. When children are not "too young" to play war, they are not "too young" to know what it is.
2. HELP CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND THEIR AGGRESSIVE FEELINGS, anger and its effects by talking things through.
3. SPEND WARM, SUPPORTIVE TIME WITH CHILDREN, sharing good feelings and building their self-esteem.
4. PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH ACCEPTABLE WAYS TO EXPEND ENERGY or express anger such as hammering, building, playing sports, etc.
5. SUPPLY GOOD READING MATERIALS AND TOYS. Encourage children to create toys from materials found around the home or neighborhood.
6. ENSURE THAT CHILDREN OF VARIOUS BACKGROUNDS GET TO SHARE EXPERIENCES.
7. BECOME AWARE OF WHAT CHILDREN WATCH ON TELEVISION. The top-selling war toys are promoted by cartoons that depict a high level of violence. These shows are not only aired on Saturday mornings, but also on Sundays and before and after school on weekdays.
8. BECOME AWARE OF WHAT WAR TOYS, "ACTION" AND "FANTASY" FIGURES ARE. Many toys look innocent enough, until they transform into war machines and destructive weapons. Action figures such as G.I. Joe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles portray movie and cartoon characters that provide aggressive and violent role models. Violent characters and war themes are also found in books, comics, and on videos. They are depicted on lunch boxes, book bags, clothing, shoes, sheets, even candy.
9. TALK TO THOSE PROVIDING CARE FOR YOUR CHILDREN. Make sure they do not allow your children to watch violent cartoons or other violent television shows or let them play with war toys.
10. EXPLAIN TO RELATIVES AND FRIENDS why you do not want your children to have these toys and accessories that depict and encourage violence - be specific on what they are. Suggest alternative gifts that children will find interesting.
Suggestions for Choosing Toys
When choosing gifts for children, steer clear of toys that:
- teach that war is an acceptable way of settling disputes;
- encourage play at killing or hurting other people, animals or the earth;
- falsely glamorize military life, combat and war;
- foster unnecessary, aggressive competition;
- create the need for an enemy;
- reinforce sexist stereotypes of male dominance and female passivity;
- depict ethnic or racial groups in a negative way;
- promote excessive materialism.
When considering a specific toy, ask yourself:
- Is it safe?
- Does it stimulate creativity?
- Does it encourage sharing and cooperation?
- Is it free of gender and race stereotypes?
- Is it appropriate to my value system?
- Does it help to develop or strengthen skills?
- Is the packaging truthful and not excessive?
- Is there a less commercial, more creative alternative?
This information is from the Stop War Toys Campaign Packet, available for $7 from the War Resisters League (339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012). The packet contains resources on organizing against violence and stereotyping in toys and cartoons. The ideas in the "Suggestions for Choosing Toys" section are originally from Parenting for Peace and Justice, from Alternatives.
Toys For a Better World
Are you tired of being "GI-Joed" and "Ninja-Turtled" to death? Are Barbie and Ken's wardrobes threatening to exceed your own? According to The Campaign for Progressive Toys and Games, many toys prevalent on today's market emphasize "violence . . . accumulation for its own sake" and perpetuate "stereotypes of gender, color, class and culture."
Because play is so important in the development of children's values, beliefs, attitudes and behavior, before buying a toy on a child's wish list, concerned adults must ask themselves - "What values does the gift reflect?"
Consider giving toys that actively promote progressive principles of peace and justice. Imagine if the Ninja Turtle and Barbie doll markets were taken over by dolls or "action figures" who are bird watchers, caregivers, construction workers, handicapped people, poor people or famous social and political activists.
Unfortunately, few businesses offer such toys. If you have difficulty finding progressive toys in your area, there are a number of mail order catalogs available. Some are:
- Animal Town Game Company, P.O. Box 2002, Santa Barbara, CA 93120, 1-800-445-8642. Offers games oriented toward nature and environmental protection and cooperative, non-competitive games.
- Aristoplay, P.O. Box 7529, Ann Arbor, MI 48107, 1-800-634-7738. Sells games and playing cards depicting distinguished American women and African-Americans.
- Avalon Hill Game Company, 4517 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214, 1-800-999-3222. Offers "Class Struggle" board game.
- Family Pastimes, RR 4, Perth, Ontario, Canada, K7H 3C6. Provides cooperative, non-competitive games and puzzles.
- Images of Childhood, HCR 65, Box 236, Kingston, AR 72742. Sells puzzles depicting children, including those with special needs, those of different races, as well as adults and children in true-to-life activities.
- People of Every Stripe, P.O. Box 12505, Portland, OR 97212, 1-503-282-0612. Customizes dolls according to skin color, hair color, gender, ethnic heritage and other physical characteristics.
- XTC Products, 247 Rockingstone Ave., Larchmont, NY 10538, 1-914-833-0200. Carries "Hugg-A-Planet" inflatable globes.
For more information contact: The Campaign for Progressive Toys and Games, Cumberland Center for Justice and Peace, P.O. Box 857, Sewanee, TN 37375, 1-615-598-5369.
Many More Interesting Christmas Articles
Page updated 22 October 2012
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