Wolves

I mentioned in passing of reading of a California legislator who was attempting to ban all air soft guns in the state.  The person I was speaking to, an otherwise reasonable person, exclaimed, “my acre is an air soft free zone.” 

He went on to say that he didn’t want his sons growing up thinking it was o.k. to run around and shoot people.

I asked him what the traditional role of boys and men were.  He could not answer me so I answered for him; hunters and gatherers, breadwinners, protectors….warriors.  I’m one of those Neanderthals that believe this still to be the case.

Boys grow up playing roles and violence plays a part.  When I was small it was Cowboy’s and Indian’s and the weapon of choice was any stick that was shaped like a gun.

Today my son plays army with the neighborhood kids, and the weapon of choice is an air soft gun.  I’m pretty sure my son can distinguish play (make believe) from reality – I know he can because we’ve had this conversation.  This type of play helps boys establish a pecking order, teaches them leadership, and is a great way for them to burn off all that energy instead of being told they are ADD and doping them up on Ritalin.  If you don’t understand this you’ve never been around a young boy.

Is this type of play violent?  You bet it is.  This doesn’t automatically make it a bad thing.  Defending your country with arms is by its very nature violent.  I’ve heard it called “controlled violence.” 

As a boy grows up, the “violent” play becomes football, wrestling, judo, karate, or just about any sport for that matter.  The lessons of pecking order and leadership continue with the added importance of teamwork.

This violent play (with the guidance of a good father, grandfather, etc to enforce the concept of good v evil) helps young men grow up to become men who aren’t afraid to assume difficult or dangerous roles.  I think the problem with crime and violence in our society today is not so much violent television or video games, but that these mediums provide no real context and therefore reinforces violence for violence sake.

It has been said that you go to sleep at night in safety because good men are outside, willing to do violence on your behalf.

These are the kind of people I want around when the stuff hits the fan for real.  Besides, when things go bad, I would rather be in a pack of wolves than a pack of sheep.  If this bothers you, I’m figuring that you’re probably counted among the sheep, and if you haven’t already guessed my “acre” is NOT an air soft free zone.