Videogames - Do they cause violence?

[anna_66]

I ditto all that Chinadoll said, it's up to the parents to censor what their children are watching or playing. More than likely if they play an active roll in their childrens lives, they won't grow up to think that fantasy is real.

[Ann]

Well, this sure turned out to be an interesting discussion

Originally posted by popcornbird
They have games nowadays in which you have to be a robber, or a criminal, and I really hate those games. Even though they are rated M or even 21 +, I know 12 year olds, 10 year olds that play them.

Ah yes, you're probably thinking of the GTA games... Even though I love those games and have played them for hours (yes, even as a kid) it has never crossed my mind to steal a car or join the yakuza

Originally posted by Sara luvs her Tinky
I think that it violent t.v..../ video games.. do influence children... I mean if they didn't see it off the t.v... / video game where would they learn it..?!?!

If that's how you reason; think yourself back in time... There was crime and murder back then too, even though neither TVs nor video games existed. So how did they learn? However they were taught the ways of crime, people today can be taught.

Originally posted by Sara luvs her Tinky
in the X-BOX magazine it was advertising a bike game.. where if you had a certain code you could see nude pictures of women... AND REALLY... like a kid couldn't get a hold of the game and the codes behind their parents back... and rating it M .. just makes it even more tempting.. and take DOA.. the volleyball game... when kids go into the video game store or read in the gaming magazines about it .. it screams sex.. and I look at violence the same way in videogames....

You're thinking of BMX XXX, one of the lamest and worst games out there... Anways, aside from that fact: What does it matter if kids see nude people? I mean, a lot of people think like you; that if kids see nude people they will grow up to be some evil pervert or something but honestly, I can't agree with that. We're all born the same way, we all look the same in one way or another. What does it matter if a kid sees a pair of boobs? Will that really hurt them? In my personal opinion I am not a pervert at all; and I've seen nude people since I was a little kid. And on the other hand I've known people who's been extremely sheltered as kids (not allowed to watch movied with women in skimpy clothing etc.), and they are the ones that has grown up to be perverts! They've become so obsessed with it in their adulthood because they weren't allowed to see it as a kid. Something natural was made into a big secrecy type of deal and they ended up obsessed with it.

As for DOA, I've already mentioned loving the fighting games but the volleyball version... Well, it's damned obvious that they sell because of sex appeal. It's like a Barbie game for men, getting to collect points on volley to buy even skimpier bikinis. It doesn't bother me though, if people like that junk, then let them! I doubt they will get corrupted or evil because of that.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

We're all born the same way, we all look the same in one way or another. What does it matter if a kid sees a pair of boobs?

I don't believe that a nude body is something to be shared with EVERYONE..

being nude is supposed to be private.. that is why there are seperators in public showers .... and most shower curtains are not see through (although some are)..

Just like Adam and Eve.. after they first sinned they hid from God because they were ASHAMED to be naked... and that is how (I believe) NORMAL people should be... ashamed to be nude in front of someone other than their husband or wife.... (and if we weren't SUPPOSED to be ashamed to be naked no one would HAVE to wear clothes) and kids should not be able to look on a nude adult (and I say adult because some kids babysit or change younger siblings diapers)... because they are children ... and it doesn't make since that any child be exposed to nudity.. they should be playing ball and only worrying about homework and stuff.

If that's how you reason; think yourself back in time... There was crime and murder back then too, even though neither TVs nor video games existed. So how did they learn? However they were taught the ways of crime, people today can be taught.

yes you are right... but considering that most people spend 90% of their time watching tv or playing video games... if they put something educational or at least only stuff that has decent morals I can guarantee you that this world wouldn't be half as messed up.. and I know that there are some sickos that could spread their violent ways.. but really how many people could they reach.... t.v. is the largest outlet for immorality...

just my opinions..

[Soledad]

Pops and Sara,

I understand where you guys are coming from, as religious people. I don't agree, but I understand.

To me, nudity is not synonymous with sexuality. I think they're very different things. Showing someone nude (stark nude) on tv seems like less of an offense than showing people partially clothed having sex.

I don't think we should be ashamed of our bodies. We don't walk around nude because it's neither practical nor sanitary. Not because we all hate ourselves or are saving ourselves with our husband/wife. The human body is beautiful (well, mostly ) and we should be proud of what God has given us.

But it's not tv's job to mind other people's religious values. And if you feel strongly about no sex/no violence/no nudity, it is your parental responsibility to supervise your children. Not the governments or broadcasting corporations.

At least, not in a secular society.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

But it's not tv's job to mind other people's religious values. And if you feel strongly about no sex/no violence/no nudity, it is your parental responsibility to supervise your children. Not the governments or broadcasting corporations.

Soledad..

I understand you point of view....

But I am not meaning for tv to mind my or any religious values... but I just get DISGUSTED when any part of the media targets ANYTHING.. with nudity or sex towards children.. and I consider most teenagers children.. because most are NOT mature enough to look at nudity in any way but a perverse one.... and most all tv shows and video games are geered towards kids/teenagers... and they pump so much sex and immoral things into it.....

I just think it is sad.. that no one seems to want kids to stay kids anymore.. they want them to grow up and see nudity and know all about sex and adult situations so early.

and i think it is unrealistic to think that parents should censor your childs t.v. watching... or video game playing...
50% of mariages end in divorce... 99% of the time the mother gets full custody.. and that mother works full time.. and sometimes two jobs to keep her family alive.. so in the meantime the child is unsupervised and making their own tv watching dicisions.. and in two parent households... most of those both the parents work.. so no one is home to watch kids when they are working...

I don't think it is fair to put all that responsability on parents... when is society (the media) going to take some credit and help clean up some of the mess it is responsible for !?!?!?

sorry.. i'm gonna get off my soapbox now..

[Soledad]

Sara,

I'm pretty sure we agree with each other on this. Let's see if I can't make my point a little better.

It IS the duty of the government to maintain broadcasting standards and it IS the duty of the corporations to abide by those. HOWEVER, what the government deems a worthy standard may vary with others' religions and morals. They can only come up with a compromise. And, I think, daytime tv should be cleaned up.

And you're SO right. It is society's duty to care for childrens. Disfunctional and/or violent children grow up to become adults capable of a lot of harm. It will come back and hit us in the face if we don't watch out.

But I don't think nudity is public enemy #1. I think the overwhelming amount of sex and violence are the real problems. And, for me, it's not so much the sex and the violence but the irresponsible and unrealistic way they're portrayed. It's totally glorified and devoid of consequences.

Parents have the lion's share of the work in regards to censoring, but the government/corporations need to maintain society's basic decency standards. However, should you feel that mainstream society does not share your standards, it is THEN up to you to supply EXTRA supervision over your children.

Did I make more sense now?

[Chinadoll]

and i think it is unrealistic to think that parents should censor your childs t.v. watching... or video game playing...
50% of mariages end in divorce... 99% of the time the mother gets full custody.. and that mother works full time.. and sometimes two jobs to keep her family alive.. so in the meantime the child is unsupervised and making their own tv watching dicisions.. and in two parent households... most of those both the parents work.. so no one is home to watch kids when they are working...

What I get from this is that because a parent can't watch their child 24/7 because of work that the government should be responsible for watching your children. I have to disagree. Even if a parent is not there to stand over a child to make sure he/she is behaving/following the rules, I think it's unfair to assume that the child will not respect the parent's wishes/rules.

A parent can restrict a child's tv/videogame viewing without standing over the child 24/7. There's such things as the v-chip and restricting what types of videogames are bought or brought into the home. It also has to do with how you raise your child, if you can't always trust what your child is doing or the decisions your child makes when you are not there, then what type of child are you raising? It is possible to be a responsible parent and instill values even if the parent works a lot.

The government is there to promote standards of basic decency. That standard is constantly changing. If you as a parent disagree with it, it is up to you as the parent to censor your child. No matter how many hours a parent works, if that parent feels that strongly about what their child is exposed to with television and videogames, censoring the child can be done...not perfectly of course, there will probably always be some instances where the parent can't control the situation, but on the whole the parent does ultimately control what their child is exposed to.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

I think the overwhelming amount of sex and violence are the real problems. And, for me, it's not so much the sex and the violence but the irresponsible and unrealistic way they're portrayed. It's totally glorified and devoid of consequences.

Even if a parent is not there to stand over a child to make sure he/she is behaving/following the rules, I think it's unfair to assume that the child will not respect the parent's wishes/rules.

I agree.. .. But even when your child is respecting your rules... there is some maniac who is letting their child watch whatever on tv... and he goes to school the next day exposing my child to it.... and if it wasn't on the tv in the first place our children could be safer from it....

I know I am asking for a perfect world which is NOT going to happen.. but If the government would just realize how many problems parents are having now-a-days... I just wish they would help more with the problem ...

aghghgh..... do I get my soapbox award now?!?!?!
.............

[Chinadoll]

Sara, I understand your point of view...I may have some differing issues but I do get what you mean.

hmmm...soapbox award...will this do?

lol

edit: darn it! I can't get my little soap box picture to show. Don't know what I'm doing wrong. oh well, just click on the link.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

hmm.. YES!! that will do nicely!!


kind of looks like me too.... *lol* j/k

[Ann]

Originally posted by Sara luvs her Tinky
Just like Adam and Eve.. after they first sinned they hid from God because they were ASHAMED to be naked... and that is how (I believe) NORMAL people should be... ashamed to be nude in front of someone other than their husband or wife....

Hmm... That's very interesting that you bring that up! See, the way I interpreted the Adam and Eve thing is the Bible is like this: God wanted humans to be able to be nude infrong of eachother; being completely innocent it wouldn't matter to them or make them think "naughty" thoughts. But when they ate the apple they suddenly were like... infected with human sins and were ashamed of their nakedness, realizing the sexual meaning it had. So when God found out how tainted they had became he threw em outta Eden and that was that.

Of course, that's just my interpretation, so please don't get offended or anything. I've had major interesting discussions about this with my priest during my confirmation study times (no clue if that's the proper English name for it) and he kept emphazising that the reason God threw them out of Eden were because they disobeyed his order of not eating the fruit. I on the other would like to view it from the point of view I wrote above; wanting to see him as a forgiving god that wouldn't care if his beloved creation didn't obey him blindly.

Again, this is just my take on it all, so I hope no one will get offended

[Cataholic]

Ann- hold on to your clothes...as I am about to TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!!

This is a question I like to ask when someone says that something bad= something bad, like violent shows/video games = violent people.....

Does that mean watching nothing but really talented people sing/play sports/ act = you being able to sing/play sports/act really well? No way! Or, I would be a REALLY talented singer, and trust me, my dog howls better than I sing. (And, I have watched alot of tennis, world cup, etc., and I just ain't that good).

So, why is the converse true, that violent shows/video games = violent kids????? It is your upbringing, your moral values, your parents or lack of, your discipline, or lack of...and, face it, being odd/different is WAY more acceptable today than it was even 50 years ago (no, I wasn't born then).

As to nudity/separate bathrooms, shower curtains being non see through??? WHAT?????? Come on people! Seriously? Nudity does not equal sex. The American people have a big 'ole hang up on the human body, and we pay for it in the strange obsessions we pass on to our children.

Funny, but true story. This weekend, there was a little street fair in a well to do community. The lines for the bathroom at Starbucks (my fave coffee place) were riduculously long for the women's, of course. The mens? No lines, no waiting. I walked passed FOUR women, and had one lady say, "we are in line" . I said, 'for the men's?" SHOCK/DISMAY "Oh, no"...so, in I went. Guess what? IT HAS THE SAME STUFF IN IT THAT THE FEMALE BATHROOM DOES! That is just plain absurd crazy stuff. Do you maintain separate restrooms at home????? UGHH...

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

Hmm... That's very interesting that you bring that up! See, the way I interpreted the Adam and Eve thing is the Bible is like this: God wanted humans to be able to be nude infrong of eachother; being completely innocent it wouldn't matter to them or make them think "naughty" thoughts. But when they ate the apple they suddenly were like... infected with human sins and were ashamed of their nakedness, realizing the sexual meaning it had. So when God found out how tainted they had became he threw em outta Eden and that was that.

right... that is what happened... when Adam and Eve ate the fruit sin was introduced into the Earth which made them ashamed to be naked because sin brought the perverse thoughts... but God threw them out because they sinned and disobeyed Him..When Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden everything was supplied for them... so they had to leave and fend for themselves... they could no longer have the privelidges (sp) God once let them have.... so it is not that He threw them out for being tainted they just lost the reward (living in the Garden) for being sinless

Nudity does not equal sex.

the sad thing about that is that most people can not look on nudity without thinking about sex..... like if you see nudity in magazines or movies it is perversed by sexual situations.. it is hardley ever made to look at in an innocent manner.... especially when it is targeted at kids.... and that is my hangup.

Ann...
Here is that story from the Bible... which it sounds like you've read it before... ... but ... .just in case you wanna read it again...


6: And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7: And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8: And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9: And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10: And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11: And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12: And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13: And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14: And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16: Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17: And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18: Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
20: And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21: Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22: And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
24: So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

[Ann]

*grins at Cataholic* That's funny; I do that same thing with public bathrooms! As long as it's not an urinal that is...

Oh ok Sara, so I wasn't totally off then! Something funny that I noticed when reading your Bible quote is that it never says straight out that the fruit is an apple! Perhaps it says earlier in the text or perhaps it's just your version of the Bible, but it's still kinda odd... I actually don't think it pinpoints the fruit as an apple in my Swedish version either.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

Something funny that I noticed when reading your Bible quote is that it never says straight out that the fruit is an apple! Perhaps it says earlier in the text or perhaps it's just your version of the Bible, but it's still kinda odd... I actually don't think it pinpoints the fruit as an apple in my Swedish version either.

I don't think the any Bible says apple... (scratches head)... but I am not sure...
I think it is just something they say to help tell it to children... just like the Noah and the ark..... they didn't really take only 2 a piece... it was 7 clean and 2 unclean (i think)... but I guess they just change it around to help children learn the Bible stories.. and then we grow up keeping that wording with us...