While keeping in mind the negative influence that toy weapons may have on children, trade associations and administrations of Matta and Khwazakhel Tehsils have banned their sales in local bazaars. The decision in this regard was taken during a joint meeting of local administration, police and army officials recently. It was announced that the shopkeepers found violating the ban would be fined heavily and imprisoned.
Locals have appreciated the move, dubbing it a positive step in grooming their children.
“I support the ban. Our children got some really bad exposure to weapons during the militancy. They would play with toy guns and fire at each other instead of focusing on their education,” said Muhammad Iqbal, a local.
Meanwhile, child development experts also voiced their support for the step. “In the aftermath of ruthless violence, many children developed psychological problems. These toys enhance aggressive tendencies among children and should be permanently banned,” said Murad Ali Khan, a psychologist at Mingora while talking to The Express Tribune. He emphasised on engaging children in healthy activities and games rather than having them fight with toy weapons.
During the militancy, it was a common phenomenon for children to cover their faces like militants. At various places, small groups of children would tie balloons around their bodies, run in streets and hit other children to mimic suicide bombers. “They would also display toy weapons, as if patrolling in the streets,” said a local. “Sometimes they would even make small toy bombs from plastic bottles,” he added.
Sajjad Ahmad, a social activist from Mingora, was of the view that the toy weapons promote radical elements. “Though these are not real, they have negative impact on the minds of young people,” he said.
When contacted, Sub Divisional Magistrate Tehsil Khwazakhela Ghulam confirmed that they had taken a decision to discourage people from buying toy weapons as a means to restrict extemist tendencies in the area.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2012.
COMMENTS (10)
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What about the hate which is taught to children which is used as ammunition later in life?
I don't know whether this step of banning toy guns would help or not,but the instances given in the piece,regarding kids mimicking suicide bombers and militants clearly shows the extent of damage caused to the delicate and impressionable minds.its high time Pakistanis of all hues sit together and ponder over this issue concerning their future generations.decades of gun worship coupled with religious fanaticism is the root cause of this problem.
Indeed...this is a great step in absolutely right direction .....i am not surprised to see ignorant comments like from "Atif" and "Raw is War"....
so nice move from the Swat valley, it should not be limited only there but in the whole country
Please BAN such toys all over Pakistan.
Sale of toy guns should be banned all over Pakistan. There are many toys available which focuses on the development of the child, and parents should encourage their children to play with those toys instead of guns.
Very good step! this is the beginning for controlling violence. Teach your children how destructive weapons are, so that their future becomes less violent fingers crossed unlike today.
“I support the ban. Our children got some really bad exposure to weapons during the militancy. They would play with toy guns and fire at each other instead of focusing on their education,” Try parenting. If a child grows up supporting and admiring militancy, I can safely say it's not because of his toys. I played with toy guns growing up, most boys in my general age range did, too. None I'm aware of have been murdering people, starting their own militant groups or anything involving guns and killing. There's certainly a whole lot more kids in the world than I knew. But, we're still talking in the 100s, and it's a matter of children having an impression left on them by the toys they own. Kids hardly differ in their mental maturity near the same age and the ones that do it's not that much of a jump. It's obviously something other than maturity and if something like a toy can leave an impression, some parenting should have the exact same amount of influence. It's pretty simple and at the very same time, you would no longer have to punish other children because you're so lazy and neglectful.
what about the toys of elders?