Video games and youth violence

[Michael Aldrich]

I can’t help but laugh when oh-so-moral Republicans and Holy Joe Democrats try to prevent violent video games from getting in the hands of teenagers. Blaming video games for youth violence is an ugly copout. Why not blame the parents?

Youth violence has absolutely nothing to do with video games, television or film. It has to do with bad parenting. If parents would bother to talk to their children about the difference between right and wrong, maybe, just MAYBE, things wouldn’t be so bad. Stop plopping your fat ass on the couch to watch television and talk to your children. BE A PARENT. It’s not the federal government’s job to take care of your children. It’s YOUR job. It’s YOUR responsibility.

(Note: When I use the term “Holy Joe Democrat,” I’m referring to Joe Lieberman. Just thought I’d clear that up now.)

[Mr. Dirlewanger]

I'm all for parental responsibility but lets not pretend that people are not affected by movies, games etc.

[Peter1469]

The crooks that are good at it don’t spend their time playing video games….

[bored]

I'm in full agreement with you.

Bad (or lack of) parenting are to blame.

[Mr. Dirlewanger]

All I am saying is that movies, books etc. affect us. You are kidding yourself if you believe otherwise. Look, no one here would make the argument that books have no influence on people, right? Well, I hope not... Anyway, a coarsening of US cultuer will affect you whether you like it or not.

[spunkloaf]

I'm all for parental responsibility but lets not pretend that people are not affected by movies, games etc.

Could you expand upon "affected"?

[Mr. Dirlewanger]

I'm all for parental responsibility but lets not pretend that people are not affected by movies, games etc.

Could you expand upon "affected"?

Have you ever read a book that made an impression? Seen a movie that made an impression? It will always be an individual experience but it will always have an affect. Will you run out and start killing people because you've seen violent films? No. Will constant exposure to same desensitize you a bit? Absolutely. We live in an increasingly violent culture yet Americans have never been as materially well off. What gives? Could it be that our choices of entertainment come with a hidden (perhaps, not so hidden) price?

[spunkloaf]

I'm all for parental responsibility but lets not pretend that people are not affected by movies, games etc.

Could you expand upon "affected"?

Have you ever read a book that made an impression? Seen a movie that made an impression? It will always be an individual experience but it will always have an affect. Will you run out and start killing people because you've seen violent films? No. Will constant exposure to same desensitize you a bit? Absolutely. We live in an increasingly violent culture yet Americans have never been as materially well off. What gives? Could it be that our choices of entertainment come with a hidden (perhaps, not so hidden) price?

I agree with you, to a point.  But I do not believe constant exposure to any kind of media can affect you in any predictable way.

For instance, I listen to lots and lots of Nine Inch Nails.  Some (if not most, or almost all) of it is very depressing stuff--but instead of me getting more depressed, over the years, I have become a much happier person.
I think part of the reason is because I looked through the art into the artist's soul, and Trent Reznor (is Nine Inch Nails) has a very kind heart and honest mind despite his dark lyrics.
Enough of my personal experience--but I do think that these kinds of mediums give people a glimpse into the artist's mind, and people pay more attention to that rather than the content of the media itself, in retrospect.

We would have to start discussing psychology in order to pick this one apart--I am willing to try but I am in the dark with trying to understand the mind.

[Gunit Hussein Sangh]

Especially a patriotic, conservative, republican mind 

[ChaosShard]

I agree that books, and by extension television and video games do have an effect on people. Well, as a writer and future author I hope they do.
But is it all negative? No. People hear "violence in video games" and immediately think only of negatives. The human mind is not that simple. We cannot be "programmed" like so many computers. Yes, violence in simulation can eventually desensitize a person to violence in real life. However, playing a first person shooter or a violent RPG (role playing game for you non-gamers) will not send you out to become a killer. If you're already headed in that direction, say because of inherent mental instability, there is a possibility that such a game will give your existing neurosis a form to follow, but that particular possibility is still under research.
What are the positives of these games? Well, for one there's stress relief. Isn't it better to take one's frustrations out on little simulated bad guys as opposed to your classmates and family? Humans are violent creatures. Sorry, we just are. Some of us have learned to be civilized and get past that, but the old urges are still there and have to be dealt with. Sports, video games, meditation, whatever works do it.
It was good to hear video games compared to books and movies, because they are just another form of media. They aren't any more evil than comic books were back when they were vilified. Recall "Seduction of the Innocent" and you'll see just the same kind of reactionary double standards. Video games don't make people killers any more than books do. They're just another form of media expression, and there's a lot of good in them if you take the time to look.

[they call me MR. GRUMPY god damn it!]

if we are arguing that images don't or cannot effect behavior, a lot of pretty smart people are wasting time and money on advertising.  if we are arguing that images can in and of themselves promote violence that is likely an over simplification.  certainly there are many contributing factors.  at the same time all of you have programs installed on your computers to detect and prevent infection.  why?  simple, garbage in garbage out.  in this regard people are no different.  those of you minimizing the impact of violent games etc...are viewing this through the matured eye of an adult not the developing psyche of a teen or younger. 

[BigLebowski]

if we are arguing that images don't or cannot effect behavior, a lot of pretty smart people are wasting time and money on advertising.  if we are arguing that images can in and of themselves promote violence that is likely an over simplification.  certainly there are many contributing factors.  at the same time all of you have programs installed on your computers to detect and prevent infection.  why?  simple, garbage in garbage out.  in this regard people are no different.  those of you minimizing the impact of violent games etc...are viewing this through the matured eye of an adult not the developing psyche of a teen or younger. 

WOW, GRUMP--I agree wholeheartedly with an entire post of yours.     
Excellent post.   

[OswaldTheOsprey]

One point not mentioned here: the allure of the forbidden which goes all the way back to the apple in the Garden of Eden. For those unfamiliar with this concept, the allure of the forbidden is evident today in the drug situation just as it was in liquor during Prohibition. In sum, ranting and raving about violent video games only increases their appeal.

OswaldTheOsprey

[Vermouth]

Welcome ChaosShard! Good point about the stress relief value of games.

[Vermouth]

One point not mentioned here: the allure of the forbidden which goes all the way back to the apple in the Garden of Eden. For those unfamiliar with this concept, the allure of the forbidden is evident today in the drug situation just as it was in liquor during Prohibition. In sum, ranting and raving about violent video games only increases their appeal.

OswaldTheOsprey

Very true ... same with music.