Is this children's play or glorifying war?

Question

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93995068

please listen to the whole story, don't just read the article.

Answer 1

When I was a child my father was deployed all over the world in his military service. This would have helped me a lot. I wish it had been available.

Answer 2

Navy ships have held Tiger cruises and dependent cruises for decades.  It allowed the families of sailors to see what we do in the Navy firsthand.  It was not seen as play time nor meant to glorify war.

Answer 3

I think you would find that it is neither.  I think that the purpose is to help the kids understand what their parents are doing.

I think it is a bad idea and that kids do not need to understand war.

Answer 4

Good grief, lighten up.  Children are often confused about why mom/dad are leaving and what they do.  This is an excellent way to show them.

If maybe you had some actual experience around military families, instead of getting on your ivory-tower high-horse, you'd understand.

Answer 5

I think this is a great thing.  The world is a very dangerous place with enemies hidden everywhere.  Its a damned shame that not enough young people (18-22) don't want to serve their country anymore.  I had 7 years of good memories from my military service and with Russia back to her old tricks, a new draft can be only a good thing.  

Answer 6

It's helping the Dependent Kids adjust to their Parents being deployed. Nothing wrong with it, not is it even a new idea... the USN has been doing "Tiger Cruises" for years, successfully.

It's not "glorifying war", and it isn't "child's play", it IS a useful tool to help the Kids understand what Dad and Mom are about.

Maybe for "balance", to appease the left, they should also take a class with "code pink", they could teach them "how to assault Recruiting Stations", followed by "Disrespecting your Country, and your Parent who is a war monger".. yep, I think I'll send my kid's to the Army shindig.

Answer 7

It's great, showing kids what their parents do for our country. For the person who made the post that kids do not need to understand war, I don't see how you can say that. It's a very big reality in the world we live in and our kids deserve an honest answer about it, in a way that's on their level.

Answer 8

It is educating children. It is helping them understand what their parents are going through. It does not demonize war, like some may want, but it does not glorify it.

Answer 9

No, it's just showing kids what their parents are sacrificing to keep them safe.