I just have to post this before I forget:
I have been contemplating how to further explain to my children my loathing for violent video games. Today presented a perfect example. The news websites that pop up when I log on had two news-breaking articles about people getting angry and going on a shooting rampage. And then, lower down the page in the video game news was an article on the awards a number of 1st person shooter games had recently received.
I would call my understanding of world happenings pretty limited. I don't take the paper (although one is delivered to us once a week). I don't watch news on television. I tend to find out most major national and world happenings long after the fact. But this week has been full of terrible gun tragedies, local and world-wide. Every time I have sought or even been exposed to any news this week, I have heard of someone shooting someone else, sometimes even family members.
And then Matthew came home today with a request from a friend whose birthday party is tomorrow -- a request for "HaloWars" -- I'm not sure what the friend was talking about, because I don't think it is even out for purchase yet, but it is an RTS game building off of a line of mature-rated games. And the boy is turning 11.
Furthermore, his party is being held at an arcade/pizzeria. I went to check it out today, because thankfully my son Matthew is very strict about immodesty, something for which many arcade games don't have a very high standard. I didn't see a lot of bare skin, but the lighting was low, the music was very loud, and there were lots and lots and lots of guns.
So, I would like to say -- what gives? How can adults, and especially parents, play these games themselves and allow their children to play them and not think they will have a deleterious and even sometimes deadly impact?
I guess the real question is how can I help my children hold to the standard in the "Strength of Youth" pamphlet: "Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way," when it is all so readily available and acceptable in our society?
I feel like the dam holding back the tide. But too much is slipping through.
3 comments:
I bet a lot of us find ourselves thinking about this all the time. Our kids are getting older, making choices, encountering more and more of the world...
I think it is an awesome sign of great parenting to have a child come to you to ask about the correctness of something.
I thought of about 100 talks that I have heard or read over the last few years about Family Home Evening, family scripture study, and family prayer as being vital to stem the tide of evil. I love this talk about the power of Mothers --> http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=dba62bce258f5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1
I guess that when the dam breaks (assuming that it already hasn't) our kids will be safe if we have taught them to stand on higher ground. Then the tides will not affect them.
I couldn't agree with you more Sarah. It sickens me. I honestly don't understand how it's considered fun. It's horrible, and you see the effects of it. I liked the Church Broadcast last weekend where Elder Oaks said basically, "You don't need to fear for your family's spiritual safety in this world. You can be guided. And you can teach your children to be guided." That was comforting to me. I think you're doing a great job.
You speak of feeling "like a dam holding back the tide." I can certainly relate. But I happen to know, Sarah, that your children have been taught by their parents how to swim, how to keep their heads above water, and how to find higher ground. Further, I happen to know that your children are willing (and due to you, able) to help you hold back the tide.
The reality is, all people will, at some time, face a hole in the dam. You are preparing them to stand on their own, when you're not there to protect them. That will go a long long ways for them.
Further, you'll find that having your children help you in the "holding back the tide" project, will help them and you both, significantly. Your children can help you in that project, and it will relieve and comfort you to see how well they can do. One day they'll need to be able to stand in your place; and I've always been impressed with how well you remember that in teaching your children.
Don't focus, though tempting it is, on all the water you're holding back; because it will be overwhelming at times. Focus instead on the people on your side of the dam and what you can do to prepare them.
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