To generalize and say that all violent video games are bad for the youth of society is going too far. Games have existed since the 1980's where the main goal of the game is to blow up the space ship in front of you. Though this is a violent video game, there weren't a ton of people signing up to be fighter pilots in outer space. Granted, there are games that exist that are violent and honestly involve murdering other characters in the game. Yes, these games go a bit far in picturing death, but you can't claim that a game like Call of Duty (which I don't even play) should be off limits to kids who are 10-13 and up. These games depict death, but they also give a realistic view of what war actually is. Kids have wanted to be in the military long before Call of Duty ever came out because people from World War II and Vietnam came back with stories about battles and the friends that they made and lost during war. So you cannot say that playing Call of Duty has driven an increase in the number of soldiers in the American military. Think about it: would someone who has played Call of Duty really sign up to go to war knowing that they could get hit by a grenade or get shot? No, people join the military for other reasons. So you can't condemn all violent video games, you have to be more specific.
I agree that it is unnecessary to condemn ALL violent video games. I do feel there is truth behind claims that violent video games increase displays of aggressive behavior, but whether or not these games will have a significantly negative impact on the child is dependent upon MANY other factors.
I work in childcare (grades K-5), and nearly all of the children play videogames (including call of duty). Last week a 2nd grade boy told me he watches Dexter with his mom regularly (a graphic show on HBO about a man who murders serial killers). This child gets in trouble A LOT at school and in our program- however, he lacks a lot of consistency at home. His mom is heading towards marriage #4, and he has little discipline. My point is that yes, his participation in violent games and viewing violent television makes him more likely to have bad/aggressive behavior, but in my opinion if he had more consistency and guidance at home, it may be different.
O boy the whole video game debate. As a criminal justice minor I have had several classes that discussed the issues of violence on tv and if that has any ifluence on people's behaviors in the real world. As like many debates there was no right answer because each person is different in how they interpret violence. There was a guy several years ago who killed somebody the way he thought he should according to the show DEXTER. A show about a serial killer. The killing was actually done and proformed the same way the show portrayed a week before the killing. So do some people use violence as influence to their own aggresion? Sure! I honestly believe that its all in how each of us our raised and how we were taught to understand what is right and what is wrong. I find violence on video games and movies to be entertaining, but I also know that the idea and the real aspect of killing someone is completely wrong legally and morally to my beliefs.
I myself enjoy the WII games that make you get up off the couch and encourage not only myself but everyone to get up and play. No one is condemning PACMAN or Mario and Sonic. This is only reguarding those extremely detailed games of violence that are out there and movies like "Gamer" with Gerard Butler who plays a character named "Kable" who is an inmate that becomes part of an internet game that a player on the outside controls and if he wins gains his freedom. (Hence Death and Dying Class Format)
It seems that I would need to make some clarification of what I was trying to say in class today. By no means did I mean to say that if you play these kinds of video games that you will in turn, start going out and shooting people on the street, or blowing up buildings just for the fun of it. I was looking at it from a completely different view. My view is that by playing these games, the ENTERTAINMENT value of them is to enjoy the thrill of shooting the people and blowing up things, that there is a reward in this process such as: highest score and the ability to advance to higher levels adding more incentive and intensity winning the game. It is in this where I believe the problem to lie, that in other countries where they do live these kind of lives makes us insensitive to their cultures. We are teaching our small children unconsciously that violence can be fun; whereas children in other cultures know the true horror of it on a daily basis. And I believe it’s one of those issues that make other countries hate ours because of the disrespect we have when encouraging these kinds of things. What I would like to know is: would you all still be so excited if a game came out that you had to get PEACE on every level to win the game? Would this type of game be as popular with the gamers out there? If they had to find ways to get everyone to come together in a form of harmonies communities, to help your fellow neighbors in other countries to gain food, shelter, medical attention or building new communities. Would it be so bad to teach these young minds how to make peace treaties in place of war and violence? Maybe the war games should be saved for those going into combat as a simulation; and not promoted to our young ones who are impressionable and still learning about life. I don’t believe they need to see bodies blown apart. And if they want to blow things up then maybe they should first learn how to build them so they can see what it is to create something and then know the feeling of destruction of that hard work. Maybe just maybe they might not want to blow things up so quickly. Doesn’t this go back to Freud, with the aggression and sex being our main motivators? Can a PEACE game be good entertainment too? Which one of you will convince your company someday to start a new type of entertainment that is really for the whole family to enjoy and be creative together in?
To generalize like we did in class today and say that games doesnt have a effect on those who play in mind is a bit biased. Let us remember that we are all above the age of 18 and are in college therefore our mindsets are completley different from those younger than us. I think to also say that just because one's little brother plays it and is fine is also not looking at the bigger picture. Whether we know it or not we are positive role models for our younger siblings so for them to see us play it they relate to us and know through us what to do and what not to do in the real world. I think that what Big Mama was saying today is what about those kids who are 7 and 8 that don't know from right and wrong because they dont have anyone to look at. Now i must admit i love these games that most would call awful and gory however i understand compleltely there agruement that they are terrible for younger childern and agree with that. There is a reason that games have ratings and therefore the choice is of the parent of what they think is best for their child.
I agree with the people who say that there is something of a correlation with aggressive behavior in children and violent video games but that the deciding factor is guidance at home. If a child has guidance at home, they'll learn what to associate with good and bad behavior. They'll be able to tell the difference between killing in a game and killing in real life. It is this distinction that makes the difference.
Ashley pretty much summed up what I intended to say. I will elaborate on the entertainment part though. I personally don't care too much how other cultures perceive ours because we are different and thats why our cultures aren't the same. I hope you don't think that sounds redundant, but that is why our cultures are not the same because we disagree.
On a small aside, try spreading democracy to Middle East cultures. It hasn't worked and may never. I'm sure you find the idea of eating a cat disgusting, but in some Asian cultures people do just that. So, I don't think it is practical to worry about what other cultures think about American's with our violent video games and action movies.
By all means, If you don't want your child playing violent video games then you have that right as their parent to stop them. But society shouldn't condemn our entire youth from wanting or being able to play these games. After all, like Latonio said that is why there are age restrictions. The only way a twelve year old can play Halo or Call of Duty is because their parent has let them. Parents can set other parental controls on gaming systems as well. I hate to phrase it like this, but it is really the ignorance of the parent if they let little Jonny play Dead Space 2(search on google and find a trailer) without telling them the difference between how you should contain yourself in public and when you are playing a video game.
I would agree that not all video games are bad. In fact, the newest thing all my little cousins have are learning based video games that do stuff like math and spelling inside of the game. The only question that struck me today in class was this: Is in older video games that you just shoot a stick figure and no graphics any different in the violence aspect as our new graphic games? I think that the violence factor is still present. I was not raised on video games because they were too expensive, but now thats something I do for an hour every now and then. My younger cousins do as well and because of the strict family we are raised in, I don't think these games have a large impact on our lives. At the same time, I am glad video games have rating so little can't buy them because some kids aren't raised to know the difference in between life and game.
Violence in video games has been present throughout the history of video games. It's hard not to say that violence sells. Violence is what attracts most people to games. Yes, I do play Call of Duty and it is a very fun game. It is ENTERTAINMENT, that is exactly what a video game is made for. Call of Duty is not a training game for the military. There are many games out that glorify many things in life. The newest NFL Blitz football game that had came out allowed you to use steroids to make your player stronger and recover faster. I did not want to try steroids because of this. It is just an ENTERTAINING game. Video games are just that, ENTERTAINMENT.
I really have no comment on this subject. I think scientific data probably proves a certain level of increased risk, but I haven't played anything but Wii since back in the pong days. I know when I listen to violent heavy metal music it makes me more agressive to those around me so I believe this would probably do the same, but I have not proof.
I have to agree with what Scott said. I didn't even think back to how back in the day battleship was the game to play. the whole object in the game is to blow up the other persons boat. I am in total favor of the games that are out now. they are real life and it is served as only entertainment. Do i think kids want to go out and kill someone because they play a game? Not at all. with the right support at home, anybody should be ablke to play that game for entertainment purposes only.
To generalize and say that all violent video games are bad for the youth of society is going too far. Games have existed since the 1980's where the main goal of the game is to blow up the space ship in front of you. Though this is a violent video game, there weren't a ton of people signing up to be fighter pilots in outer space. Granted, there are games that exist that are violent and honestly involve murdering other characters in the game. Yes, these games go a bit far in picturing death, but you can't claim that a game like Call of Duty (which I don't even play) should be off limits to kids who are 10-13 and up. These games depict death, but they also give a realistic view of what war actually is. Kids have wanted to be in the military long before Call of Duty ever came out because people from World War II and Vietnam came back with stories about battles and the friends that they made and lost during war. So you cannot say that playing Call of Duty has driven an increase in the number of soldiers in the American military. Think about it: would someone who has played Call of Duty really sign up to go to war knowing that they could get hit by a grenade or get shot? No, people join the military for other reasons. So you can't condemn all violent video games, you have to be more specific.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is unnecessary to condemn ALL violent video games. I do feel there is truth behind claims that violent video games increase displays of aggressive behavior, but whether or not these games will have a significantly negative impact on the child is dependent upon MANY other factors.
ReplyDeleteI work in childcare (grades K-5), and nearly all of the children play videogames (including call of duty). Last week a 2nd grade boy told me he watches Dexter with his mom regularly (a graphic show on HBO about a man who murders serial killers). This child gets in trouble A LOT at school and in our program- however, he lacks a lot of consistency at home. His mom is heading towards marriage #4, and he has little discipline. My point is that yes, his participation in violent games and viewing violent television makes him more likely to have bad/aggressive behavior, but in my opinion if he had more consistency and guidance at home, it may be different.
O boy the whole video game debate. As a criminal justice minor I have had several classes that discussed the issues of violence on tv and if that has any ifluence on people's behaviors in the real world. As like many debates there was no right answer because each person is different in how they interpret violence.
ReplyDeleteThere was a guy several years ago who killed somebody the way he thought he should according to the show DEXTER. A show about a serial killer. The killing was actually done and proformed the same way the show portrayed a week before the killing. So do some people use violence as influence to their own aggresion? Sure!
I honestly believe that its all in how each of us our raised and how we were taught to understand what is right and what is wrong. I find violence on video games and movies to be entertaining, but I also know that the idea and the real aspect of killing someone is completely wrong legally and morally to my beliefs.
Hello Class,
ReplyDeleteNO ONE SAID ALL VIDEO GAMES. LOL
I myself enjoy the WII games that make you get up off the couch and encourage not only myself but everyone to get up and play. No one is condemning PACMAN or Mario and Sonic. This is only reguarding those extremely detailed games of violence that are out there and movies like "Gamer" with Gerard Butler who plays a character named "Kable" who is an inmate that becomes part of an internet game that a player on the outside controls and if he wins gains his freedom. (Hence Death and Dying Class Format)
It seems that I would need to make some clarification of what I was trying to say in class today. By no means did I mean to say that if you play these kinds of video games that you will in turn, start going out and shooting people on the street, or blowing up buildings just for the fun of it. I was looking at it from a completely different view.
My view is that by playing these games, the ENTERTAINMENT value of them is to enjoy the thrill of shooting the people and blowing up things, that there is a reward in this process such as: highest score and the ability to advance to higher levels adding more incentive and intensity winning the game. It is in this where I believe the problem to lie, that in other countries where they do live these kind of lives makes us insensitive to their cultures. We are teaching our small children unconsciously that violence can be fun; whereas children in other cultures know the true horror of it on a daily basis. And I believe it’s one of those issues that make other countries hate ours because of the disrespect we have when encouraging these kinds of things.
What I would like to know is: would you all still be so excited if a game came out that you had to get PEACE on every level to win the game? Would this type of game be as popular with the gamers out there? If they had to find ways to get everyone to come together in a form of harmonies communities, to help your fellow neighbors in other countries to gain food, shelter, medical attention or building new communities.
Would it be so bad to teach these young minds how to make peace treaties in place of war and violence? Maybe the war games should be saved for those going into combat as a simulation; and not promoted to our young ones who are impressionable and still learning about life. I don’t believe they need to see bodies blown apart. And if they want to blow things up then maybe they should first learn how to build them so they can see what it is to create something and then know the feeling of destruction of that hard work. Maybe just maybe they might not want to blow things up so quickly.
Doesn’t this go back to Freud, with the aggression and sex being our main motivators? Can a PEACE game be good entertainment too? Which one of you will convince your company someday to start a new type of entertainment that is really for the whole family to enjoy and be creative together in?
To generalize like we did in class today and say that games doesnt have a effect on those who play in mind is a bit biased. Let us remember that we are all above the age of 18 and are in college therefore our mindsets are completley different from those younger than us. I think to also say that just because one's little brother plays it and is fine is also not looking at the bigger picture. Whether we know it or not we are positive role models for our younger siblings so for them to see us play it they relate to us and know through us what to do and what not to do in the real world. I think that what Big Mama was saying today is what about those kids who are 7 and 8 that don't know from right and wrong because they dont have anyone to look at. Now i must admit i love these games that most would call awful and gory however i understand compleltely there agruement that they are terrible for younger childern and agree with that. There is a reason that games have ratings and therefore the choice is of the parent of what they think is best for their child.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the people who say that there is something of a correlation with aggressive behavior in children and violent video games but that the deciding factor is guidance at home. If a child has guidance at home, they'll learn what to associate with good and bad behavior. They'll be able to tell the difference between killing in a game and killing in real life. It is this distinction that makes the difference.
ReplyDeleteAshley pretty much summed up what I intended to say. I will elaborate on the entertainment part though. I personally don't care too much how other cultures perceive ours because we are different and thats why our cultures aren't the same. I hope you don't think that sounds redundant, but that is why our cultures are not the same because we disagree.
ReplyDeleteOn a small aside, try spreading democracy to Middle East cultures. It hasn't worked and may never. I'm sure you find the idea of eating a cat disgusting, but in some Asian cultures people do just that. So, I don't think it is practical to worry about what other cultures think about American's with our violent video games and action movies.
By all means, If you don't want your child playing violent video games then you have that right as their parent to stop them. But society shouldn't condemn our entire youth from wanting or being able to play these games. After all, like Latonio said that is why there are age restrictions. The only way a twelve year old can play Halo or Call of Duty is because their parent has let them. Parents can set other parental controls on gaming systems as well. I hate to phrase it like this, but it is really the ignorance of the parent if they let little Jonny play Dead Space 2(search on google and find a trailer) without telling them the difference between how you should contain yourself in public and when you are playing a video game.
I would agree that not all video games are bad. In fact, the newest thing all my little cousins have are learning based video games that do stuff like math and spelling inside of the game. The only question that struck me today in class was this: Is in older video games that you just shoot a stick figure and no graphics any different in the violence aspect as our new graphic games? I think that the violence factor is still present. I was not raised on video games because they were too expensive, but now thats something I do for an hour every now and then. My younger cousins do as well and because of the strict family we are raised in, I don't think these games have a large impact on our lives. At the same time, I am glad video games have rating so little can't buy them because some kids aren't raised to know the difference in between life and game.
ReplyDeleteViolence in video games has been present throughout the history of video games. It's hard not to say that violence sells. Violence is what attracts most people to games. Yes, I do play Call of Duty and it is a very fun game. It is ENTERTAINMENT, that is exactly what a video game is made for. Call of Duty is not a training game for the military. There are many games out that glorify many things in life. The newest NFL Blitz football game that had came out allowed you to use steroids to make your player stronger and recover faster. I did not want to try steroids because of this. It is just an ENTERTAINING game. Video games are just that, ENTERTAINMENT.
ReplyDeleteI really have no comment on this subject. I think scientific data probably proves a certain level of increased risk, but I haven't played anything but Wii since back in the pong days. I know when I listen to violent heavy metal music it makes me more agressive to those around me so I believe this would probably do the same, but I have not proof.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with what Scott said. I didn't even think back to how back in the day battleship was the game to play. the whole object in the game is to blow up the other persons boat. I am in total favor of the games that are out now. they are real life and it is served as only entertainment. Do i think kids want to go out and kill someone because they play a game? Not at all. with the right support at home, anybody should be ablke to play that game for entertainment purposes only.
ReplyDelete