Marguerite Kelly

TAKING TOYS SERIOUSLY

By Marguerite Kelly

FOR ALL THE RUB-bish on the toy market today, it is still awash with safe, beautiful, interesting, durable playthings. But some experts - including, of course, parents - still believe that too many toys encourage aggressiveness, sexism and materialism. While it is true that aggressiveness is built into some toys - and especially into the television ads promoting them - it is hardly new to play: it has been part of fairy tales, sports and toy soldiers for generations. There are, however, three distinct points of view. Some people think aggressiveness in play invites more of the same; others think it helps children deal with their feelings, and a third group thinks it desensitizes children, making them less empathetic. ''A little of all of this is probably true,'' says Dr. Malcolm W. Watson, a developmental psychologist at Brandeis University, ''but how a child reacts probably depends on the child.''

New York Times • Magazine • page 46 • 2,082 words