Opinions Needed..Should Violent Video Games Be Banned?

[JThiessen]

Just a few random (rambling)thoughs:

1) Desensitization: Its real, and its been happening since the advent of media. In some regards its been an important part of our society, in others not so much. Do we as a society need to draw the line somewhere?

2) Parenting: Back in the 70's and 80's we heard the same things in regards to music and TV "Need better parenting, not more control". Now in 2010, I can see partial nudity on prime time TV, discussion of sexual acts that my parents would have no idea existed, and quite a few words that I would be appaled if my grand children used them (not that I'm an angel...). Children look at adults and watch what we do more than they listen to what we say (this is a lesson I learned firsthand, too late, from my own kids). Example: Our 18 yr old recently started dropping the F-Bomb with great frequency, while conversing with me. I told her to stop talking like that in front of us. Her response was why doesnt it bother me if her mother talks like that (wifey darling can talk like a trucker at times...).

3) It takes a village to raise a child. Yes, it does. The standards of society greatly influence how effective a parent can be. If underage drinking were considered an acceptible activity where you live, how hard would it be for you to keep you kids from doing it... Every different area has its own little "standards of living" that children/young adults quickly adapt to, and it is extremely difficult as a parent to guide them away from things you deem undesireable in that environment. I'd also like to know how many of you that state that "its bad parenting" have actually raised a child or two through their teenage years??? I'd bet I'm one of two on this forum. What I hear there (and in other instances where that is said) is that its not my responsibility to do anything here, somebody else fix this problem. I dont disagree with this in general, but at some point, we as a "village" must put our foot down and say enough is enough.

4) Censorship: Bad, Bad, Bad. But....Age restrictions do work in general. Generally speaking, you dont find many 12 year olds with an adult video library, or a beer fridge in the closet. So to say that age bans arent effective is short sighted.

5) I agree with Jerry on games being a general waste of time. We didn't have them in the house until I bought the PS3 for playing bluerays. I'll raise my hand when asked if I have also spent too much time on them. Its waaaayyyy to easy to find yourself sitting in the same chair after 5 hours straight (or more). I really like the approach the Wii brought to the gaming front - hopefully more family interaction and activity will help.

6) What did you all think of the recent bans on that "Loco" energy drink saturated with alcohol? Dont really care? Is that because it wasnt something you didn't care for anyway? Hmmmmm......food for thought there........
(ps. I have a personal connection to that recent situation)...