I think the general idea behind moving back to a leather helmet is that players would take fewer risks and wouldn't lead with their head knowing their helmet won't actually "do much". I don't necessarily agree, but I get the idea. Again, I'm not supporting the idea. Players are so used to big hits (and need more force to be brought down anyway) that I don't think it's going to change, regardless of their helmet material.
In addition, the average player is much bigger and faster than they were in the past. Simple physics will state that an object moving with higher mass and at a greater velocity will equal bigger hits and more damage. It would be very difficult to change this part of the game without drastically altering football itself.
I don't have kids yet, but I won't be letting them play football. It's just too ri
sky. (Not to mention the fact that I was 5' 11" in high school and weighed 145 lbs. and my wife is super thin now, so it's unlikely we'll have football-sized kids anyway. That does NOT make a good football player :lol2
As far as other kids playing... As long as the NFL is being open and honest about the risks (and who doesn't know about them at this point), the game should continue. It's up to the league to make sure the game is as safe as possible, but in the end, players (and parents of kids) need to weigh the risks and make their own decisions about playing.