"Some parents say it is toy guns that make boys warlike. But give a boy a rubber duck and he will seize its neck like the butt of a pistol and shout "Bang!""

In this quote, George Will is dealing with the nature of children's play, especially among kids, and the inherent tendencies or habits that may seem intrinsic instead of found out. Will's observation challenges the common assertion that exposure to toy guns can inherently result in aggressive habits in boys. He suggests that kids have a natural disposition towards imaginative play that can typically manifest in apparently aggressive or military games, irrespective of the toys they are given.

The line "offer a kid a rubber duck and he will take its neck like the butt of a handgun and shout 'Bang!'" serves to highlight that the nature of young boys to take part in such play is not necessarily the result of being offered toy guns. Instead, it suggests that there might be an innate behavioral pattern that prompts them to pretend in ways that simulate conflict or competition.

Will seems to argue that it is the creative and perky nature of kids that inclines them to interpret and communicate with their toys-- and possibly the world-- in a particular aggressive or adventurous way that frequently involves role-play scenarios a sign of dispute. By using the example of a rubber duck, an object frequently connected with calm and peaceful play, changing into a stand-in for a handgun, Will highlights that the prop itself is lesser than the aspects of character or creativity driving the play.

This observation raises questions about the roots of hostility and whether social norms and stereotypes about masculinity are ingrained or nurtured. It challenges teachers, moms and dads, and psychologists to distinguish between harmful behaviors and natural spirited instincts. By doing so, Will discuss broader styles in child advancement and psychology, questioning how much of children's habits is shaped by their environment versus their natural tendencies. This encourages a conversation about the balance between nature and support in establishing social habits and attributes in children.