AN advert that ran on American televisions in 1967 showed two police officers reacting to the sound of gunfire. As they come upon two young boys, they immediately relax and praise the children for their realistic-sounding toy guns – the Sound-O-Power M-16 military rifle by Marx Toys – a big seller that Christmas.
Fast-forward some 50 years and, in a country where some 40 000 people are killed by gunfire annually, the police aren’t nearly quite so relaxed when they come across children bearing realistic-sounding guns.
In fact, the alarming number of children or adolescents who are shot and killed by police officers when brandishing toy guns has helped decrease the popularity of these toys on the shelves.
There is also the question of whether playing with toy guns leads to aggressive or even violent behaviour.
There are no conclusive studies, although the general consensus seems to be that a number of factors have to be considered – parental influence most of all.
Malcolm W Watson, a professor of psychology at Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts was involved in researching the free play of young children and the impact of toys chosen.
On the subject of playing with guns he stated: ‘Nothing positive seems to come from it, and it may have some negative effects (at least in boys), but there are other factors involving parents that have even more negative consequences.
‘I think pretend play overall has a great influence on children’s development and thinking, and so I suspect that toy gun play may have long-term consequences, but I also suspect that parental attitudes toward guns and also parents’ modelling of aggression will have even stronger influences.’
And then there is the question of boys’ toys vs girls’ toys, and the movement towards more gender-neutral toys.
I personally seethe every time I walk through a toy shop and note the ‘cleaning’ and ‘home care’ items in a ‘girls’ section and cars, toy guns and absolutely nothing related to crafting or design in the ‘boys’ section.
The message to children is very clear – stay in your box, or risk the bullying.
Large-scale international retailers are seeking to do away with this gender divide, understanding that children need to experience all manner of play without the overriding voice of society limiting their personal interests and talent.
I welcome the idea of ‘let toys be toys’ and hope the South African retailers catch on quicker.
Being a parent, no matter what generation, is always a tough task.
But modern parenting involves more questioning than ever before. And this makes choosing Christmas presents that much harder.
We have access to much more information, a wealth of dedicated research and are raising children in a world that needs acceptance and understanding more than ever before.
At the end of the day, the impact of the parent counts much more than whatever toy is presented to the child on Christmas Day.
Your actions will always play the biggest part in their lives. Whether it’s a ball, a doll, a kite or even a microlight they open on Christmas morning, I know the first thing my children will do is turn to my husband or myself and say: ‘Come play with me’.
Because that’s what’s really important to them.
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