Knives are very compatible with families. Families cook with kitchen knives, which absolutely dwarf any "large folding knife." (A large folding knife, in my impression, has no more than a four inch blade.) Families require knives for picnics, in order to cut cheese, bread, meat, etc. I once saw children who refused to eat food that hadn't been cut to a size suitable for their little mouths. I gladly whipped out my knife, wiped it clean, and offered it to the parents. The handier members of the family like doing instant repairs (including sewing and such), and often a basic tool like the knife proves quite useful. So the safety of the location isn't terribly relevant, because the knife isn't primarily a weapon. Like most tools (hammers, screwdrivers, and such), it can be used as a weapon, though it wouldn't be as good as truly specialized weapons (swords, guns, bow & arrow). If you ban knives, you might as well ban flashlights, compasses, and thumb drives, just to take a few items I have on my keychain.

Da Bing