"We do not want any more wars!" -- Alfred Adler

(excerpts from the writings of Alfred Adler)

"Sidney. Hello, doctor.
"Dr. Adler. How are you? What would you like to do when you grow up? (Adler, 1930/1982, p. 253).
"Sidney. I would like to be a soldier.
"Dr. Adler. Why, we do not want any more wars!
"Sidney. What do you mean?
"Dr. Adler. People are much happier when they have peace. . . . What games do you play with your friends?" (p. 254).

Adler, Alfred. (1930/1982). The Pattern of Life. New York:
Cosmopolitan Book Corporation.

"The prejudice between nations and races are of course the basic causes of war--that great scourge of mankind which must be abolished if progress and culture are to be saved. The task for the teacher is to show war in its true light, and not to give the child an easy and cheap opportunity of expressing his superiority striving by playing with guns and swords. This is not the proper preparation for a cultured life. There are many boys who join the army as a result of the military education of childhood; but besides those that join the army there are a hundred times as many who are psychologically crippled for the rest of their life by their childhood warrior games. They always go through life like warriors--with chips on their shoulders--and they never learn the art of getting along with their fellow men.

"Around Christmas time and other seasons for toys, parents should especially keep an eye on the type of toys and games that are put into the children's hands. They should get rid of weapons and war games, as well as of all the books that worship war heroes and deeds of fighting. (Adler, 1930/1970, p. 200).

"As regards the selection of proper toys, a great deal could be said, but the principle is that we should select the type of toys that will stimulate the child to be co-operative and constructive in his occupations. One can well understand that games in which a child can work and build up things are more worth while than ready-made or finished toys, which require the child merely to fondle a doll or an imitation dog, etc. Incidentally, as regards animals, children should be instructed to regard an animal not as a toy or a game, but as a comrade of human beings. He should not be afraid of animals nor should he boss them or be cruel to them. Whenever children exhibit cruelty to animals one may suspect in them a desire to dominate and bully persons weaker than themselves. If there are animals, --birds, dogs, and cats--in the house, the children should be taught to regard them as living beings who feel and have pain in a way similar to human beings. Proper comradeship with animals may be regarded as a preparatory stage for social co-operation with human beings" (p. 201).

Adler, Alfred. (1930/1970). The Education of Children. Chicago: Henry Regnery Company.

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