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Show ri Wm Family Scrapbook . By DR. ERNEST G. OSBORNE "Bang! You're dead." With his finger pointed or a toy gun in hand. Junior disposes dis-poses of those around him. What does all this mean ? Will he grow up to be a gangster? Does such play build warlike attitudes? Many parents worry . about gunplay. They fear that it will lead to unpleasant results In some way or other. If they don't believe In war, they think such play may build warlika attitudes In their youngsters. - What actually happens is that playing with 'the Idea of killing makes it likely that the youngster will be less hostile. He gets something out of his svstem. Not all run play, of course, Is th result of s child feeling held down and made helpless by - the grownups around him. This Is often a part of th picture, however, and It makes him feel better to play at being strong, at being able to remove others merely by pointing and saying "bang." Unless gunplay takes up all a child's time, unless he seems to continue to have a great hunger for It, there's no reason to be concerned. Should he concentrate con-centrate on this and nothing las, it may be worthwhile to see whether he feels particularly particular-ly helpless snd Inslgnifidsnt and get the situation straightened straight-ened out. |