Angelina Jolie Won't Hide Children From War, Violence

Courtesy Harper’s Bazaar

While it’s easy for adults to reconcile the image of a gun-toting Angelina Jolie in the film Wanted and her real life role as a devoted mom of six and a global humanitarian, the same cannot be said for children.  That’s why in the home she shares with partner Brad Pitt, there is an effort to not only acknowledge the harsh realities of modern day life, but also to differentiate between what’s real — and what’s not. "We say, ‘Mommy and Daddy have movies where we play these characters, but there’s real death and real violence in the world," the 33-year-old actress tells the December issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK. "There’s a real responsibility there to create in their minds the difference between the two." Noting that her kids are allowed to play video games as well as with toy soldiers, Angelina adds,

"We don’t take war and violence lightly but we don’t hide it from anybody."

The kids do factor into her decision-making process when it comes to selecting roles, Angelina reveals — especially her three girls Zahara Marley, 3 ½, Shiloh Nouvel, 2, and Vivienne Marcheline, 3 ½-months. "I tell stories that are about the type of woman where I think there’s something about her that will be fun for my daughters to see," she says.

Angelina and Brad are also parents to Maddox Chivan, 7, Pax Thien, turning 5 this month, and Vivienne’s fraternal twin brother Knox Léon. Her new film Changeling is in theaters now.

Sources: Harper’s Bazaar UK via People

Comments

I agree with Angelina. Little boys naturally want to play cowboys and policeman. When we were little it was fun and okay to play with toy guns. It was just a part of our playtime and imagination. We were never allowed to point guns at other people but it was fun to play. Only in the last decade has it been “taboo” to play with toy guns due to all of the violence associated with Columbine and school shootings. I’m glad Angelina doesn’t feel like she has to be politically correct with something that is a normal part of a child’s playtime and imagination.

- Christine on November 4th, 2008

I absolutely adore this woman. Her ideals and views of parenting are the same as mine- go Angie!

- babyboopie on November 4th, 2008

She always plays interesting women. No dumb ditzy women. She keeps it real. Raising your kids in cotton wool is doing them no favors.

- Pearl on November 4th, 2008

When my little brothers were interested in playing wars, we turned it into history and civics lessons. We would describe famous battles throughout history when playing with swords or guns, act out Elizabeth’s defeat of the Spanish armada in the bathtub, and stop the games if they “shot” someone who had their hands up in surrender to explain international human rights, the Geneva convention and various accords of war.

- Lilybett on November 4th, 2008

I’m slightly confised…didn’t she say a little while ago that her kids were NOT allowed to play with violent things, such as guns?

- MommyX2 on November 4th, 2008

I think Angelina and Brad have the right idea. Video games and movies are one thing but war and violence are very, very real and it’s important that kids know that and understand the difference between fiction and reality.

My son is going through his “I want to be a soldier” phase at the moment. My partner likes to entertain him with stories of relatives from yesteryear who served during World War II. That goes down a treat a bedtime!

- Mandy on November 4th, 2008

I have always taught my kids war ,violence, and killing is wrong.

- Pogue Mahone on November 4th, 2008

Lily – that’s a very cool and unique idea.

- Kerri on November 4th, 2008

Pogue, I agree. To this day, I have never touched a firearm. Unfortunately, they are a part of our culture and don’t seem to be going anywhere.

- sat on November 5th, 2008

MommyX2- That was a tabloid rumor. Prior to now, Angie herself has never said anything one way or the other about letting her kids play with guns.

- CelebBabyLover on November 5th, 2008

Yah Lily I will have to remember that for my children!

- MB on November 5th, 2008

I like your posts Lily and Mandy. Great ideas. It allows to not hide things to the kids and teach them a lesson.

- Jade on November 5th, 2008

While I agree that war and violence shouldn’t be completely hidden from children, I am EXTREMELY against her decision of taking 7 year old Maddox to a shop that sell guns and knives and letting him buy knives (as she said in a recent W magazine interview).
I sincerely hope that the video games she gives her kids have nothing but very mild violence as studies have shown that children who play violent video games are much more considerably likely to be violent.

- LanLan on November 5th, 2008

LanLan- Angie also said that the knives are dulled (so Mad can’t hurt himself), and that she and Brad always follow a knife purchase with a talk about knife safety, and the fact that knives ARE dangerous. In otherwords, it sounds like they are taking the neccesary precautions!

- CelebBabyLover on November 5th, 2008

I think the knife is a family tradition.It’s for collecting not for playing.Her mother bought her daggers when she was eleven.

“On buying the young boy the stuff, she ensured the knives aren’t sharp edged so they won’t be dangerous and that she has given him lesson about violence. “We also talk about samurais and about the idea of defending someone as good. We talk about everything”

I wouldn’t buy it for my children since I don’t collect swords and daggers lol but I don’t worry about her doing it.I don’t think she would risk her children safety and she doesn’t strike me as stupid but that’s my opinion. It’s not like she gave him a kitchen knife and said “and now run to play with your sisters and brothers!” It’s probably displayed in a special room. Angelina said she had a room for her ancient swords and knives years ago.

- Jade on November 6th, 2008