To today’s parents video games are the new Rock ‘n Roll
That’s how Stamford, CT., psychologist Eric Schleifer described them in a discussion with 50 parents about video games recently. This forum, called “Using Video Games to Your Advantage: A Parent’s Guide,” was co-sponsored by Wilton Parent Connection, the Wilton PTA Council, the Wilton Youth Council, and the Wilton Library.
The forum proved what kids already know and what kids our generation and every other generation before it endured: parents don’t always understand the culture kids are immersed in and its importance. In this generation parents don’t understand their kids’ fascination with games and, because of the media’s portrayal of them as being violent and catalyst for laziness and unhealthy behavior, often feel like video games are dangerous or at the very least, an unnecessary distraction. Schleifer compared gaming to rock music and comic books, both thought to be somehow evil or a waste of time by our parents and the parents of our parents.
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Gaming Isn”t All Bad, Says Mom
If gaming were a religion, then the Nintendo Wii would be like the holy grail — along with games like Rock Band and even Dance, Dance, Revolution. But more to the point, like the holy grail, the Wii allegedly offers boons — the power to transform oldsters and soccer moms into gamers — and locating one might be harder than finding that symbolic chalice.
These games and this system are converting people from all walks of life at — dare I say it? — an alarming rate.
An interesting article in the Contra Costa Times details such a conversion among moms (one of whom is a regular columnist for the paper) who swore that they would never bring videogames into their childrens” lives. Surprise! Mom, and friends who took this vow against gaming, found themselves playing games and learning that, Hey this is good, clean fun. Here’’s an excerpt, or if you”re religious, a testimonial:
Christmas and Hanukkah ushered the systems into these same friends” homes. We”re all full of good excuses for joining the gaming world: First, the system we all have requires a lot of physical activity; you play most of the games standing up and moving around. Also, considering the strict time limits, we convinced ourselves the dark side isn”t so dark after all.
But last week, the rules and regulations blew out the window as fast as the 74 mile-an-hour wind-driven rain could take them. Instead of playing outside on his new Ripstick (a skateboard our son got for Christmas from the same cool aunt), our son had a series of play dates with his friends…
From stalwart mom and opponent to borderline addict. Pace yourself, ma”am.
