From Becky Eliot, University of Leeds
Ralph Osterhout’s comments about the genetically based play patterns of
children made me think
(19 May, p 43).
How many parents would buy their little boy a doll or their little girl an action figure?
Behavioural patterns are laid down in early childhood, when parents choose
their children’s toys for them. As a child I chose my own toys, as does my
3-year-old niece. We both chose a mixture of boys’ toys and girls’ toys. But we
are fortunate enough to be female, and it is more or less acceptable for us to
be tomboys.
An ex-Navy Seal equipment designer creating our children’s toys does not bode
well. Violence breeds violence. I look forward to the day when toy soldiers
govern the world, and we dispense with all this peaceful negotiation, compromise
and open-mindedness. Roll on the Third World War.
