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Oh no, the boys are at it again! Or, to be more precise, they're still at it. When I was a boy (in the 1970s) I didn't have any action figures, preferring constructive toys like Lego and Meccano instead. However, some friends of mine had several Action Man figures (the UK equivalent of GI Joe), plus some extra Action Man goodies including a tank and a Jeep. We would play elaborate war games which always - and I mean ALWAYS - ended with everything being 'blown up'. There would be lots of interaction between us; lots of problem solving, cooperating, getting along, laughter, and general fun. None of us grew up to be violent, knuckle-dragging monsters who relate to every situation through violence.
I think what's most interesting about the article are the many statements of the kind "boys might". In other words, the concerns don't seem to be based on anything that's actually known to be happeneing, instead they're based on endless hypothetical coulds and maybes. It seems to be yet another example of 'concern' about males which problematises them instead of seeking to genuinely improve their lives. It's the same kind of attitude which sees healthy boyish physical activity as something wrong because it differs from what girls do. Leave the boys alone, you warped freaks!
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by Anonymous User on Monday November 19, @07:47PM EST (#2)
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Since there's such a push to draft women, do you think parents should be making little girls play with G.I. Joes to prepare them for their roles as future soldiers? Let's get real. Feminine girls who play with Barbies and make-up, told that they shouldn't get mud on their pretty dresses, are going to be the first ones down on a battlefield.
Rather than banning war toys, should we instead ban feminine toys in preparation for a future society where there is total "equality" and gender differences are no longer permitted?
Seriously.
BTW, I'm not for banning GI Joes. I'm just coming up with a different twist on an age old debate.
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I think your argument is a bit extreme in this case. No one's talking about banning either GI Joe or Barbie. I, personally, believe a child should be allowed to play with either GI Joe or Barbie, regardless of sex. In fact, little girls nowadays ARE often encouraged to play with "boy" toys, but little boys are still socialized, now they're just socialized feminine rather than masculine (no toy guns, no rough play at school, or you'll be put on Ritalin).
These anti-violence groups just need to get the hell out of the sandbox, in more ways than one.
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