http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/bay-area-elemntary-school-holds-toy-gun-exchange-172910646.html?vp=1
Don't get me wrong - I don't think this is a bad idea at all. But I wonder how effective it will be.
Not to sound harsh, but my brothers were never allowed to have toy guns, were not allowed to watch movies or television shows featuring guns, and they still grabbed the nearest stick outside while playing pioneer and called it a gun. So, good luck, guys. Incidentally, none of my brothers have ever discharged a firearm in a harmful manner. They are all responsible, law-abiding citizens.
Personal opinion? Any time you forbid a kid to do something, you make it more an object of interest. Why not redirect instead by having honest open discussions about the importance of safety? Why not have an age-appropriate discussion about the difference between right and wrong?
In my opinion, it's like avoiding the topic of sex because it's uncomfortable to talk about with your child. Wait too long, and your 12-year-old daughter has already been verbally sexually harassed and had no idea how to respond because you didn't equip her for the harsh realities of life. What's more, because you didn't take the time to talk to her on a personal level, she's probably not going to come to you and tell you what happened either.
I'm not a parent, and even if I were, I would not have all the answers. But I firmly believe being honest with your children in an age-appropriate manner is always the best policy. You can't hide them away from the world forever - it will find them at one point or another.
No comments:
Post a Comment