skymama 35 #1 November 24, 2004 I just saw a report on ABC news about kids who play violent video games and whose fault is it; the game makers, the stores for not enforcing the ratings or the parents. Get a clue, people, it's the parents! One woman was interviewed about an M rating video her son has and she said, "well, he bought it with his own money, but now I want to return it." Lady, get a backbone. You tell your son what ratings are acceptable for him to play and don't let it in your house. If he buys it anyway, you take it away and tell him that you're so sorry that he wasted his money. It's a no-brainer! I took my son to the store so he could point out the games he wanted for Christmas. He pointed to "Grand Theft Auto" and said that he'd like that one but he knows I won't let him have it. Then, he moved onto about 10 other titles that he would like that were perfectly acceptable to both of us. Parents and future parents, it's not going to kill your kids if you tell them NO every once in awhile. Argh...parents these days! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 November 24, 2004 Bullshit like that didn't fly in my house growing up. I did a lot that I wanted to do, especially as I got older, but I *still* don't watch violent TV or TV with strong language when I'm at their house. If folks want the government to raise their kids for them and the TV to be the baby sitter in the mean time, they should really really get a swift kick to the head for having children. Then again, I'm a couple of years out from having children of my own, so as of now its just my uninformed opinion.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #3 November 24, 2004 QuoteIf he buys it anyway, you take it away and tell him that you're so sorry that he wasted his money. It's a no-brainer! Well, that kid might sue you and "divorce" his parents. Laws these days __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #4 November 24, 2004 >"Grand Theft Auto" I learned so many useful life skills from that game that I think its a shame you won't let him have it. That game taught me valuable math skills by having to keep a running tally of how many bullets I had left in each gun in my arsanal. Where else can he learn that at?Where else can he learn that its far better to out run the cops on empty side streets and not on the busy streets? Where else is he going to learn that you can screw a prostitute (and gain health points) then shoot her and take your money back?!?! Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 November 24, 2004 I learned how to ride a motorcycle by playing GTA... --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #6 November 24, 2004 Quote>"Grand Theft Auto" I learned so many useful life skills from that game that I think its a shame you won't let him have it. where else can you safely get your BASE number ??? Actually has anyone found an E exit ???scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #7 November 24, 2004 QuoteI learned how to ride a motorcycle by playing GTA...No motorcycles when i was growin up... Then i came home from college with two of them. That went over like skydiving did. Not good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #8 November 24, 2004 I guess you'd have to have played the game to really know what I'm talking about. Basically if you rode a scooter like that in real life, you'd be dead within 10 minutes. So it was a joke.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #9 November 24, 2004 Obviously a joke, but mine wasn't. Ha. It's about letting the kids have a little freedom or they may go nuts when set free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #10 November 24, 2004 QuoteIt's about letting the kids have a little freedom or they may go nuts when set free. From my own life experience thus far I would agree with you, to a point. For instance, I was raised in a VERY religious family, where drinking, even just a little bit (like champagne at a wedding) was EVIL and you would go to hell. What happened when I went to college? I became an acoholic and its only been within the past 2 years I've shaken it off and can drink socially without getting really really drunk or even go out with friends and not drink at all. Moral of the story, my children will see my future wife and I drink and drink responsibly. Let them know its ok, but moderation is key to health and success.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cornholio 0 #11 November 24, 2004 I don't think it's the parent's fault, or the video game makers, or anyone but the damn kids themselves. If Johnny wants to go cap someone, seeing a video game where they cap people is not going to make him do it more. If it gives him the idea, it's not the parent's fault. It's Johnny's fault. It's his parent's fault for not recognizing this disturbing behavior and correcting it. That's nice that you prevent him from getting a game, but do you really think that's going to keep your son from capping people or whatever bad thing you can thing of from happening ? If Little Johnny wants to cap someone, he's going to do it. If you told me I couldn't have a game, I would try that much harder to play it at a friends house or something else. I think that some kids are just mentally disturbed, and the Parent's can only do so much. Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast! Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool! bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #12 November 24, 2004 I was going to use the term " Catholic girl syndrome" and erased it. Classic human behavior. I was an alki too for a decade or so. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spudmuffin 0 #13 November 24, 2004 There is a lot of the stuff out there today is just really inappropriate for young kids. I remember when I was little playing games like Punch Out. It was fun to see what would happen when you would hit various characters in different places. That has morphed into various sport and RPGs where the violence is no longer cute and quirky, but gross and way over the top. I know my husband has a bunch of codes for his PS2 sporting games where you can do "unnecessary damage" to other players. He thinks it's funny. I know when I'm in a foul mood I love to watch really violent thrillers, action, horror or Kung Fu movies -- the darker the better! Somehow watching them helps me cool my jets and get rid of a lot of unrepressed rage. (Some days things at work just really tick me off.) Maybe violent video games are the same for other people...but they certainly aren't for the very young. My biggest complaint about video games is using them as a pacifier. My nephew is a complete bore due in large part to the fact that he's been plugged into a Gameboy since he was old enough to hold one. He's now nine and still can't sit in a restaurant and carry on a conversation...so he gets plugged in and becomes completely unresponsive. He won't even eat. I’m not one to talk. Video games can render me vegetative as well. My husband just got me an old Nintendo 64 and a bunch of games including Zelda and Dr. Mario. He knows RPGs and puzzle games are my favorites. I’ve lost nearly every evening for the last two weeks playing Zelda after work. I was like this with all of the Tomb Raider games, too. They’re just too fun…and addictive. I’ve literally had to unplug the machine and give it to my husband to hide from me until after the Holidays. How sad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #14 November 24, 2004 I love first person shooting games. The problem, Andrea, is, as you said, parenting. (overuse of commas, jp) Everybody has said, at one time or another, " I would love to just punch that idiot in the mouth" (or some other violent acting out. Violent video games are a fun outlet for that frustration. It needs to be in that context, though. "This is fantasy". There are so many "over the shoulder" parents out there, who put their schedules and lives ahead of their children's, that some of those kids may not have the necessary perspective. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #15 November 24, 2004 QuoteIt's about letting the kids have a little freedom or they may go nuts when set free. Some things are just not appropriate for children. The news program I was watching said the average age of video game players is 29. There are a lot of things a 29 year old does that a 13 year old shouldn't be privy to. If you allow children to play "mature" video games, watch R rated movies, listen to foul lyrics in music, cuss in front of them, etc., it desentisizes them into believing that the behaviors they see are acceptable. If they see all that when they are 13, what's left to experience as they get older? Worse things, scary things, things that are illegal or could get you sent to jail or even killed. Let children be children, there's no reason to push them into adulthood before they are emotionally and intellectually ready for it.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #16 November 24, 2004 Thats it!!! The riddle is solved! Clinton's mom is Andrea! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #17 November 24, 2004 QuoteClinton's mom is Andrea! Maybe, but my kid's say I'm the coolest mom they know. I'm good with that.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #18 November 24, 2004 13 ? I was a young adult by age 12. Ready for the world and it's challenges.Seemed i thought i knew everything then and was smarter than my parents. Is this why it's so fun to be a kid again and jump out of planes ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #19 November 24, 2004 Damn my parents for letting me play PONG and Space Invaders Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #20 November 24, 2004 QuoteDamn my parents for letting me play PONG and Space Invaders Hey, don't forget Pac Man, that will lead a kid to cannibalism __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #21 November 24, 2004 Naw, pacman lead kids to popping pills and chasing flashy/shiney objects trying to eat them.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #22 November 24, 2004 QuoteNaw, pacman lead kids to popping pills and chasing flashy/shiney objects trying to eat them. Actually...thats most adults Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #23 November 24, 2004 Yup, they're worst then fish..."oohhhhh...shiney, I'm gonna eat it..." *SNAG* ooooppps.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #24 November 24, 2004 QuoteDamn my parents for letting me play PONG and Space Invaders I didn't say he can't play the games, just the "M" ones...yet. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #25 November 24, 2004 Pitfall...that was a seriously mature game. The little dude used to get eaten by gators...then again you're in FL so I guess its normal.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
