Interesting post, but I think the author should lighten up. I grew up playing Star Wars nonstop. Two other facts: I am a girl (I have 2 brothers) and it was the 1970's (Star Wars came out in 1976). And when the Atari come out, we played it constantly. So did my husband. Now we are perfectly normal, productive, responsible, Christian members of society, and have a beautiful family. My 3 kids love to play Star Wars, too, and 2 of them are girls.
And if you think about it, before Star Wars kids played Superman, or the Lone Ranger, or Flash Gordon. And how about Cowboys and Indians? That was hardly rooted in reality after 1890, and yet kids have played it for generations since then. Children have always lived in a world that included fantasy- play is how they learn to be adults. Another point, if kids today should play in ways that imitate real life, then by that logic, they SHOULD spend all day on the computer, since so many jobs require a technical expertise that comes with the use of electronics. Personally, I would rather my kids be balanced between outdoors, imaginative play, books, and, yes, screentime (games and tv). Balance is the key.
Don't give up on this generation too quickly. You'll find yourself unable to relate, and then unable to minister to them.

Interesting points, Quantum Housewife! I remember playing stuff like that as a kid, too.

I do think Shelly has a point, though, in that what was traditionally "boy" play was more geared towards building things or creating things, and perhaps we've lost something important in that. I do think there's value in building forts or sand castles or things like that, whether you're a girl or a boy. And often it seems that children aren't able to play anything EXCEPT what they see on a screen.

So I think you're right--it's balance. But part of that balance is building things, too!

Just a mom of girls here, but I don't see the problem with playing make-believe.

My little girl likes to pretend Dora the Explorer right now. Not exactly "real life" play. But I think it is good and think it would actually be harmful if I directed her play.

Just my 2 cents.

Nurse Bee

Very interesting. I think what is more damaging to our boys though is not letting them play "boy" things. So many try to stop boys from climbing, jumping, pretend fighting, pretend & real hunting, etc...

Many boys are not allowed to be boys. They aren't allowed to play in way that they are protecting, hunting/gathering or being "Men". Many times we tell them to play something quiet or sit still.

God didn't create boys to be like little girls. He created them to become men who protect, hunt, provide, work hard & love. In society today we want our little boys to sit quietly, play quiet games & then wonder where all the real men have gone when these boys grow up.

I think kids have always played the stories they have heard. So if they hear about cowboys and indians they play that. If they hear (or see) Star Wars they play that. If you listen carefully to their games, kids do not usually follow a script. They may claim the Star Wars characters as their own but they are still being imaginative and coming up with their own scenarios and situations. Wat worries me is when they forget how to run around and play anything and just ant their handheld games or to talk endlessly about which Pokemon cards they own.

You're right, Lea, God didn't create boys to be girls. I do think boys should get to play "boy" games--even if that involves light sabres!

But I also think we should encourage active type games, and creative games, like building stuff. But building stuff in a Star Wars universe would be fine. I think the issue Shelly was having was that the only thing the kids could come up with to play was what they saw on TV, and she wanted them to use their imagination, or build stuff, which I sympathize with. But I take Nebby's point, too, which is that often kids say they're playing "Star Wars" when really they're just playing, and the Star Wars isn't the point. It's just the name.

I agree with some of the commenters. I have 3 boys (aged now 15, 12, 8). I also have 3 girls, and the differences in the way they we play are quite noticeable.

A little boy does not have to watch much (or any) tv to want to play 'Star wars' and such. WHat is it about these roles they want to play?

It is being tough, being a winner, defeating the baddies. It is being leaders and victors. All worthy things for a little boy to aspire to.

Obviously, especially when girls are around (!!), there needs to be some direction in their play so they don't get carried away and get too rough or aggressive. But it IS in their nature!

ANd as parents we need to keep limits on their gaming time, because little boys will easily play a computer game for hours and hours without strict limits (much more so than a little girl). But a little gaming time now and again is not going to keep them from growing up a into a mature Christian father.

There is such a thing as balance! There are lots of things we want our boys to grow to be. ANd that will happen, bit by bit, as they play Indinana Jones here, and built a fort there and zap some aliens here and build a lego ship there. With our guidance and patience and prayer.

Please don't turn out little boys into little girls! Allow them to be a little different ;-)

siminoz.

There seems to be something innate in little boys (perhaps all children?) that is attracted to media. My oldest is a 2.5 year old boy, and in the last 6 months or so, he has discovered Finding Nemo, Fox and the Hound, and Toy Story. And true to little-boy form, he LOVES Woody and Buzz. I don't really see this as a problem, so long as the shows he's enjoying are appropriate for him and they aren't becoming an obsession.

My husband loves fantasy and fiction cartoons and movies such as transformers, star wars, etc. so I'm sure our sons (we have 2) will be into it too. I don't have a problem with them enjoying these things, but like the author of the post, I want them to play their own imaginative games too. To foster this, we try to make watching videos a treat for him rather than a constant, expected part of his day. We also have alot of toys that foster imagination such as cars, blocks, little plastic people, etc. So far, so good, and we are beginning to see imaginative play happen.

That said, when he discovers star-wars, we'll bring on the light sabers!

Boys play at what they love and know. Perhaps they called it "Mark Antony" 2000 years ago... or "Romans vs. Barbarians" 1500 years ago... or "Genghis Khan" 600 years ago, or "Redcoats vs. the Colonists" 200 years ago... now, it might be Knights/castles, or Star Wars, or Romans or Batman... but the main idea is still there-- boys pretending to be strong and valiant to fight and protect the innocent or lead an empire.

Those who don't have boys might not understand. I really think you are taking this one too far, Sheila, and drawing lines for other people that you yourself don't have to live out. I appreciate your writings here, but this is an unnecessary critique. I agree with the other commenters who have said-- "let little boys be boys". They have been sissified enough. Let them be strong and courageous and imagine what it would be like to fill the shoes of a great warrior or a little guy standing up to an evil empire. Sometimes they do this by imagining Bible characters, and sometimes it's through history lessons, and sometimes it's through modern roles.

Re-think this one... don't encourage rules or boundaries that are not written in scripture and that you yourself don't have to live by.

Grace & Peace,
Jess

Sheila, I just realized I mis-read the post and thought you were writing these things about an experience watching someone else's boys. I'm sorry for the confusion! I still stand by my thoughts, but they are really directed toward the author of the piece.