Explain that there are real guns that hurt people, and that it s a terrible thing. Don t just say, Be nice. Boys are interested in justice, quest, and activity, so redirect them into energetic pursuits that use those interests. I think buying a toy that looks like a real gun is unnecessary. A child doesn t need a gun that looks like an Uzi or a machine gun.
Parents can vote with their pocketbooks and refuse to get realistic guns.
Up to preteen, kids don t realize the implications of what real guns do, so it s important to talk to them about it. You want to get to the pain behind the behavior. He is the director of the Center for Men at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., a major teaching facility of Harvard Medical School. Inc. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy .