Riverwood Presbyterian Church

Culture Wars

Toyland

by Peggy Drinkard

I perused a toy catalogue that came in my mail from a large chain…wondering what’s popular with kids now. No real surprises, thankfully. The usual fare. What bothered me was the “take” on boys’ toys vs. girls’ toys. The girls’ lead page … and I quote: “she already thinks she’s a princess…make it official.” The boy pages lead quote, ” gifts that inspire good behavior….toys for boys.” Now, this statement about the boy toys is certainly not true in my opinion…I mean … it’s the usual guns, games, fast cars…dinosaurs, power vehicles and power action figures…etc. They’re obviously the things boys enjoy…the major theme being power. So why the odd intro….things that help boys behave? You want your girls to feel empowered….like princesses. But the boys, well…you just want them to behave? Personally, I WANT our BOYS to feel empowered….brave….strong… warriors for all that is right. I know it’s messy, though. I raised three boys. You don’t make warriors at tea parties. Don’t get me wrong, I want boys who respect authority, know what it means to be under authority, and who learn self-control and thoughtfulness for others. What I detest, though, is our cultures’penchant to try and feminize boys….make them kind and gentle creatures who wouldn’t hurt a flea if they knew it carried the plague! So….from a Christian mom who wants boys to be boys and men to be men….I encourage you parents of boys to let them climb, push, run, jump, hunt, take some chances, get a few knocks and bruises and learn to jump up, brush off, and keep going..always protecting the fair damsels in their midst (sisters, classmates, mom, etc.) at the same time…maybe even treating them like princesses from time to time, because they have the strength, power, and right-headedness to do it.