Posted on 12/03/2002 6:49:11 PM PST by tutstar
"Army Forward Command Post," a new toy out this holiday season, has been dubbed by one toy expert as "Barbie's Dream House: The Nightmare Version."
It is a bullet-riddled shell of a house, complete with a soldier in military combat gear, weapons, ammunition and even sandbags.
There are two versions of "Forward Command Post": one for children 5 years old and older; the other for children 3 and older.
"I just wouldn't buy it. It's scary," one mother said when ABCNEWS showed the toy to some parents shopping with their children in New York City.
"I mean I know our world has changed, but I hope not that much," said another mother.
The Lion & Lamb Project, a Bethesda, Md.-based group that discourages violent toys and games for kids, put "Forward Command Post" on its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of violent "toys to avoid."
Other war-related toys on the market this holiday include a replica of an actual U.S. Army long-range sniper; a camouflage "Ride-On Tank" complete with flashing lights, machine-gun noises and firing sounds; a "Bazooka and Walkie-Talkie Set," a "Ted from Tora Bora" action figure and a toy head of Osama bin Laden.
"Play is a child's work," said Daphne White, founder and executive director of the Lion & Lamb Project. "Children learn through play … So actually giving them violent toys predisposes them and … teaches them that to behave violently is fun and acceptable."
Way to Confront Their Fears?
The maker of Forward Command Post, a company called Ever Sparkle Industrial Toys, says its product is no more violent than the G.I. Joe toys, which have been around for years.
And, in fact, some experts say playing with war-themed toys can be healthy for kids.
Gerard Jones, author of the book Killing Monsters: Why Children Need Fantasy, Super Heroes, and Make-Believe Violence, says such play can be a way for children to confront and conquer their fears.
"What's hard for us, for adults, to understand is that things that things make us nervous, that create some anxiety in us because they remind us of real-world violence, are often the very things that kids need to play through," said Jones.
But even Jones admits that Forward Command Post — described on the J.C. Penney Web site as a "fully outfitted battle zone" — is probably not right for a 5-year-old.
Maybe we ought to help Penney's sell out of the toy so they would have to order some more.
Oh how totally unsuitable![/sarcasm] Let's make sure that all of our kids get nothing more offensive than a "Tickle me Elmo" doll. Come to think of it, that thing is way more offensive than anything war related.
I wonder if the "we need a nanny as our government, liberal, whining" crowd would cause such an outcry if this toy were instead a disgruntled, disinfranchasied, bomb-wearing, turban toting, Allah worshiping, Jew murdering, doll of muslim origin. If we were to let our children play with a terrorist doll, they would be able to identify with the horrible plight of these poor terrorists.....
libbos are so counter-intuitive.
Mr. Atomic Vomit
Forward Command Post helps little boys channel their natural aggression into the idea that they are to be protectors of our society.
This is the problem with these anti-violence crusaders. They seem unable to discern the difference between appropriate and inappropriate violence. A gansta banger with his glock robbing a bank is evil violence. The cops who arrest or kill the criminal are using justifiable violence. Blowing up 3000 innocent people is horrible evil violence. A soldier who goes to another country, risking his life to keep his family, friends, and nation safe is a hero.
"Play is a child's work," said Daphne White, founder and executive director of the Lion & Lamb Project. "Children learn through play … So actually giving them violent toys predisposes them and … teaches them that to behave violently is fun and acceptable."
Yes, play is about preparing for life. This is a violent and dangerous world, and children need to be taught the importance of defending what they believe in. Children should be encouraged to play with toys that teach honor and discipline and the correct application of violence. We can't afford to raise another generation of cowards and sissies.
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