I like to build kits because it is interesting to me and it is something to do instead of watching TV or playing on the computer in the evenings.
Building a kit usually takes me a while so it slows down airplane consumption, just because I like something.
I am not a master builder by any means and as mentioned earlier my planes always are heavier than they should be, but I still like to build them.
ARFs are a lot better than they were even 5 years ago and continue to improve. I will probably go back to ARFs sometime in the future.
If you want to promote kit building you might try having a club kit building contest.
I iniatiated a kit building contest for the club I am in and I think we will have 10 - 15 people enter their kit built planes.
There will be at least one first time kit builder and I am working on a couple more.
It will be a beauty contest and a fun-fly event.
The discussion for this contest was the most fun we have had at a meeting for a long time.
Even the people who do not plan to build a kit seem to be interested and excited about it.
The bottom line is that model airplanes should be fun, and if building a model from plans or a kit is fun then go for it.
If buying an ARF or a used airplane is fun then go for that too.
We should all get over the poor attitudes towards park fliers, electrics, 3D, glow, ARFs, helicopters ..... or whatever else gets us all worked up.
In the end we are all just playing with toy airplanes because it is something fun to do.