subject: The Benefits Of Adversarial Play: Do Good / Bad Guy Roles Cause Behavior Problems And Injury Risks? [print this page] The Benefits Of Adversarial Play: Do Good / Bad Guy Roles Cause Behavior Problems And Injury Risks?
There is a common misconception that the types of games kids play that incorporate a lot of "good guy/ bad guy" dynamics can lead to behavior problems--many parents not only speculating that kids may get hurt if they play too rough but that they might even become more violent later in life. The truth is, however, that this line of thinking is largely off course, and these types of "adversarial" games, if you will, do a lot for healthy development.Let's look at some of the ways this is true.1. Cognitive, Physical, and Emotional DevelopmentWhat many parents don't realize is that this type of play, and really, any type of play, is a natural way to develop on many different levels. Children mimic life by using their imagination, and this gives them chances to challenge themselves and grow. This is really what play is all about, and in the type of play where an adversary is in their way, they are only forced to grow more. They have to think more, work together more, and their emotions may even become taxed as they struggle with the game not quite going the way they wanted. This is all learning. 2. Negotiation, Conflict Resolutions, and Self-ControlPay close attention to a game of cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians and you may very well be surprised at the complexity with which kids associate at this level. You will find them practicing negotiation strategies, resolving conflicts (both real and imagined), and controlling their impulses when they become frustrated with people on the "other side." 3. Morality and Accepted BehaviorWhen parents worry about this type of play, they are often forgetting that these games have a good and an evil--not just an evil. Through this type of imaginary role-playing, children get a chance to experiment with the concepts of right and wrong as well as analyze socially acceptable behavior. In some cases, they may be even acting out natural tendencies towards violence and learning to deal with them in a constructive manner. In fact, experts show that children who don't get a chance to play like this early on are more likely to become violent or criminal later in life rather than the other way around. 4. Physical ActivityFinally, we can't forget all the physical activity children get in playtime, and this is essential for physical development. This is even more a factor when it comes to adversarial or "violent" games. The reason is that this type of game typically includes a lot more roughhousing and running away or after an enemy. Can things get too physical and can kids get hurt? Sure they can, but that doesn't mean this type of play should be completely banned from your child's life. It just means that adult supervision is necessary, as it is with any other type of play.The point is that while many parents are trying to filter what comes into their child's life and keep them from doing something that could encourage rough behavior or bad lifestyle choices later in life, they are simply taking the violent side of this type of game too seriously while extremely underestimating the benefits on all levels. When looking at the actual role adversarial role-playing has, it is obvious that it's best just to let it play itself out. This is just what kids doso let them have their fun.
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