Toy Weapons Essay

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Professor Solorzano English 50 2 November 2011 Weapons of No Destruction Many people disagree whether children should play with toy weapons. Some people believe that they do more harm than good. “Why I Bought My Son a Toy Gun” by author Michael Golden is an article which is in favor of young children playing with toy weapons. “Why I Won’t Buy My Sons Toy Guns” by author Robert Shaffer is an article that is one hundred percent against young children playing with toy weapons. In opposing articles by Michael Golden and Robert Shaffer, the authors have views on toy weapons which are compatible in regards to violence, death, and television, but are contradictory in toy accessibility. Golden’s and Shaffer’s articles about toy weapons share similar views in regards to violence. Golden’s article states, “But, Dad, it’s only a toy. It’s not like a real gun” (204). Children don’t think of harming anyone with a toy weapon; they just want to have fun. It is the parents’ decision to allow their children to play with toy weapons. Shaffer’s article states, “But the lesson toy guns teach is that solving problems with violence is acceptable” (206). If parents’ allow their children to play in a violent way , then the children believe that the action is approved. If parents correct their children, then the children learn right from wrong. Golden’s and Shaffer’s views that toy weapons present violence are alike because they share a similar attitude towards violence. The authors believe that it is wrong to let children play with toy weapons at such an early age. Toy weapons teach them that violence solves problems, and it is the parents’ responsibility to teach their children their values in regards to violence. Another view that Golden’s and Shaffer’s articles share relates toy weapons to death. Golden’s article states, “Did we, by buying him that first gun,

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