Guardian article on boy's creativity being limited by PC views

[fusili]

someone mentioned to me an article in the guardian from around 5 years ago, about boy's creativity being limited by PC views about what is 'acceptable' play. as a mother of DS (4) who is currently very excited about guns and swords, I would find this really interesting, since I do struggle with it - if anyone can remember the article, or others similar about helping boys play, that would be great. tia.

as mum to 3 boys I'd be interested in this too - will watch with interest!
fwiw raising boys is a good book to read too

DS is 5 and very into both, and I have to say that I have changed my view on such things completely. I used to be anti, but I really don't think we have done anything different with DD and DS, yet DD was never even slightly interested. It's a boy thing (always used to completely disagree with that until it happened to DS), and although I never used to allow guns, he would nibble one out of a piece of toast. I take the view now that I can teach him how to play safely with them - ie no hitting other children, no sawing on the furniture, no waving them in the living room. He does more guarding me and fighting dragons than attacking other people. My guess is that it's just another phase (as in Fireman Sam, Lightning McQueen etc) and will pass if I just let him get on with it and don't make too much of an issue over it.