Playtime - A Lost Art
Today's world is filled with violence - from wars - to crimes
committed - every day - in every country. There are bombings,
explosions, and murders. Our television programs bring up
subjects that are "not suitable" for children and certainly "not
suitable" as entertainment for adults.
But the world today has taken this violence one step further -
they have incorporated it in a child's playthings. The "shoot
'em up, blow 'em up" mentality has permeated even the toy aisles
in every city.
While being vigilant or "street smart" is, of course, a major
concern for parents of children, the old adage of "What came
first - the chicken or the egg" seems to emerge. Was the idea of
these recent violent crimes always out there - in the reality
world - or was it nurtured and fed by violent TV, movies and now
toys?
When is child is placed in a situation of making a choice when
angry with another child, does he/she make the decision based on
knowing that he/she can't make them disappear into cyberspace by
using a laser gun, jumping over tall buildings and disappearing,
or eradicating them by all sorts of other means? It seems to be
getting harder and harder as toys portray violence from cars
turning into robots or bugs, viscious looking creatures that
permeate a person's worse nightmares, and now are sold for
$29.99, packed in cellopane, and ready for a child to create
their own "nightmare." As parents, the responsibility of helping
a child grow into maturity with a "right" sense of preservation
and protection for person and property seems to be swaying to
the side with help from "ad" agencies and toy manufacturers.
Toys - meant to be an extension of a child's imaginative world -
one of finding out what things are made of, and how they can be
used - should not be filled with violence that solves all
problems and leaves the "hero" surrounded by smoldering
buildings and disintegrated opponents. Yes, the world is a
violent place at times - but that should be the adults'
responsibility to cope and deal with the circumstances. Our
children can be made aware of certain dangers as their age
allows them the maturity to understand, but why heap on violence
and destruction during their recreational times as well.
Will problem solving, peaceful negotiations, or finding
solutions that benefit both sides without any violent act be
lost forever? Will today's child grow up with "beating" the
other guy at any expense, and showing no mercy? Are parents
ready to cope with the problems that anger and violence can
nurture as a child is confounded by news, television, movies,
and even playthings that prove that the most cunning, and
violent victor is really the victor? Will a child learn
reasoning, negotiation, and partnership when toys in bright
packages are grotesque and chilling?
We certainly want our childen safe, but in our endeavors toward
this safety, have we robbed our children of having plaything
that shows, love, respect, friendship, and just plain fun? Are
we, as parents, giving them a choice, or directing their
feelings and emotions to victory at all costs?
Childhood, holidays, and playtime were times to "get away" for a
while and enjoy being a child. We can't rightfully rob our
children of this under the guise that they have the right to
know what is really "out there". Yes, in time and with each
appropriate age, they will find out and they will deal with the
situations because they have had a solid background of knowing
right from wrong, peaceful means from violent, and doing the
right thing - at all costs.
Isn't this the legacy worth aiming for - and letting toys be
toys - and not the elements of bad dreams and viscious plots?
Cars do not turn into laser yielding mean robots, and bugs are
not taking over the world - to a child - or to an adult. There
is a time and place for instructing our children to be vigilant
and protect themselves, but there is also time for play and
imagination. They need both
Stores sell - parents buy - that's a lot of power and say so -
Enjoy!