TreeStandBowHunter Posted March 22, 2005 Report Share Posted March 22, 2005 Ok, I know I am going to catch flak on this but I really don't care ..no really...I don't. I had a conversation with a fellow Marine today. He is sorta in the same boat as I am in...meaning we both have kids between the ages of 5-10. I guess I am too old fashioned or something but I can't stand the stupid things. We do not have video games in our house and never will. I THINK it is a parents easy way out of spending time with their kids. See today (and I say this because I see it all too often), parents don't want to spend time with their kids like playing outside with them or board games or what have you...instead, they throw controllers in their hand and that keeps them out of their hair. I believe that todays kids do not have a good imagination because all they know are those stupid video games. I really seen the light when I was shooting my bow at the archery range when I was stationed down in NC. I always took my kids with me. One day when I was shooting, the kids were building something with tree limbs that had fallen. A fellow archer said to me "Do your kids play lots of video games at home"? I said "No, we don't own a video game system". He said "I can tell". I asked how he could tell and he said "Because I can tell by how they use their imagination". Now I am not saying that your child does not have an imagination at all. But when one of my son's neighbor friends came over yesterday(which is what started this conversation at work today)he was upset that we didn't have a game system. I asked him how often he plays it at home and he said "My parents let me play however often I want". Being as carefull as I could with what I was saying, I asked in a different way, how often his parents play him besides video games and he said never. Yeah, go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted March 22, 2005 Report Share Posted March 22, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it GROUCH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VtBowhunter Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it Ditto on the Grouch, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it On a more serious note..My daughter plays a couple hours a day some days. Some days not at all. I think some gaming is a good thing. Believe it or not they are thinking, using their reflexes, getting better hand eye coordination etc. when playing. My daughter is outside playing more often than not for sure. I have to drag her in most nights. However, I do know some parents who like to keep their kids busy so they are out of their hair. Very sad when the kids take a back seat so the parents can keep up with the Jones's with the house, yard etc. I once vowed not to have a gaming system in my house. I ended up getting one for the family. Not just my daughter. My wife and I have our own games we play also. Gaming is fun for everyone. In some households it is out of control for sure. It is not in mine...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted March 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it [ QUOTE ] GROUCH! [/ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Ditto on the Grouch, lol. [/ QUOTE ] See, I should of kept my new name. JimT, I understand what your saying and there is nothing wrong with that at all. But you are probably one of the few exceptions. I mean after we had that conversation today, we asked a bunch of other people what they thought and I couldn't believe my ears . One guy(worthless POS) said that he actually does it to keep his kids out of his hair GROUCH..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBUCK Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it TSBH - I agree with you totally. Our kids tend not to use there imagination anymore because there are way to many things (distractions) out there to let them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it I have the best video game system their is! It is a old regular nintendo (sp) it still works but havent played it for about 6 months. Everywhile now and rarely ever I take it out to do something. Otherwise my cousins have game cubes and area addicted to them. That is all they do. Whether they are good or not I have no idea, i dont hav e kids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil hunter Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it I honestly play ps2 up to 3-4 hours a day. More on the days when I don't have school. Somedays, i never touch a controller though. I don't spend a lotte time outside, because theres not really anyone in my neigborhood to do anything with. I spend time with my parents on the weekends, so it's not them tryin to avoid me or anything like that. I don't really think it's that bad that we play video games. As long as it's not 24/7(which, for some people, it is). Just my 2 pennies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bozz Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it We basically just play all the hunting games on PS2 .....I think they teach my 10 yr old lots of good stuff about hunting.......he's really to tackle the real thing now !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it The only game I really play now is NASCAR. But, when I think about it, I had a ton of games when I was a kid. And I can't remember my dad EVER throwing a baseball or football around with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest deldeer Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it at one time i would side with you on that, but im sorry my friend i disagree with you now. my son who is 16 now is one of the best teenagers out there im told. ( im not bragging), very respectful & mature. and he has played video games forever, he is on the high school football team, good grades, & has never been in trouble (unlike me). i have taught him to be respectful towards people & life in general. he is going to go to college & major in video game design. i think it has to be a proper mix of family values and their games, i don't think they can just sit there all day and play them though. i just think it is the way that they are raised or not raised that is screwing up our kids.........just my take.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it I agree Grouch I also think there are too many games that are not healthy (mentally speaking) for kids. I also agree that for many of todays parents, video games have become the new baby sitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it Ill agree up to a point.We have video games in our house.But my son hardly ever plays them and my daughter never has played them to my knowledge.I dont see nothing wrong with them in moderation.if they play them a couple hours a week or one night a week or something like that it doesnt really take anything away from family time.And its nice to get a break from the kids once in awhile. On the other hand my much younger cousin became obsessed with games and computers as a teenager.Im talking staying up all night, never leaving his room, didnt get out in the sun enough and looked like an albino addicted to them.If you run into the kid youd swear he was stoned, his eyes are permanantly red and glassy from staring at the screen.If he was my kid the games would be gone in short order and his butt would be getting thrown outside.But I dont think you can blame the games to much, its the parents who allow them to become obsessed with the games and cant see the problem that need to change thier priorities with thier kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nut Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it Grouch LOL I agree that imagination seems like a rare thing in this technological age. Parents have used many things to baby sit their children with the televison being number #1 .That is either with videos or games. (You name it and it probably is around the house here) Sometimes it is educational and most times it is not. Luckily my boys are pretty good at the time they spend doing the games. Yes some of them are not quite up to some others standards but I have sons with common sense. With all the school sports and activities along with homework they are lucky anymore to get a hour to play on them. Now that the warmer weather is getting here they will add archery .fishing and springturkey hunting and camping to em. My boys also read books,do crafts,artwork,woodwork and carving. GEEZ...somebody slap me for bragging again. However the oldest is the one who ticks me off with his game playing. I never get a chance toplay my Spyro game anymore. see I am rambling again and am not making any sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it I agree.....I used to play cowboys and indians in the woods, now kids are playing Grand Theft Auto and getting rewarded for stealing! The games are so graphic and when you die, no biggie.....just start the level over, then we wonder why there are school shootings like the one yesterday. I'm 19, had a regular Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and a PS, but I just can't see how people can sit there and play for hours!!! I know 30 year old guys that I worked with...."man, I got this new game at home....I can't wait to play it" RETARDS!!!!! Anyway, I do think they are ok in moderation, but I honestly can't see how people get addicted to them!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaskMan Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it You are not a grouch you are right in my books. O don't want to belittle anybody who has posted against TSBH's post but I'll say that I never had video games and nor will my child. I am a grade 4 teacher, every day I see 10 year old kids that no absolutely nothing about the real world, have no imagination, cannot run 50 metres without having to walk. These are the kids that are entertained at home by the PS2 or Xbox. The kids without these games know how to be kids, know how to have fun without a controller in their hands, are not so out of shape it is sad, and are the ones with vivid imaginations. I'm not saying that all people who play games end up like this but I think that the majority of kids like the ones I listed are the ones playing video games on the weekend instead of "kick the can". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut_Buster Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it I used to play video games alot. RI haven't bought a game for about 3 years now. And thats for PC cause thats the only thing i had to play games on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldawg Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it I play my PS2 alot myself. I just love the war games that are coming out. They are cool, and they take my mind off of the pain sometimes. Other times...like when you get stumped on getting through a level, they can be a pain. Kids play them now and then, but not too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailkiller Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it everyone is entitled to thier opinion... we don't all have to agree with it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it Pretty much agree. If it was up to me, we'd get rid of our idiot box (gamecube). Unfortunately, my wife likes those games as much as my kids do. Personally, I've made some peace with them because I limit the time they play on them, and only after their chores and homework are done. And it's the first thing I take away when they screw up with said chores and school work. The only real benefit I see them having is improving reading skills and sometimes they can improve problem solving skills. For the most part, I don't like them at all, but I feel I have to support my wife with her wishes too. I guess I have to pick my battles sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob LeBlanc Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it I coach minor hockey, and as an experiment a couple of years ago, I went to the parents and asked that they not let their kids play video games on a game day. They, not just me, noted that their kids had much more 'jump' when they weren't allowed to play the games...it is now a requirement of the kids on my teams. [ QUOTE ] Believe it or not they are thinking, using their reflexes, getting better hand eye coordination [/ QUOTE ] I couldn't disagree with that statement more...dexterity of 'thumb' is not a good reflex. And if you consider, that chimpanzee or orangutan is better qualified due to the fact they can do it with their feet, too...!! People question how these school shootings can occur...consider this...the military uses human form targets to help condition soldiers to shooting at the human form. It is actually an un-natural act. Video games provide kids that very same conditioning with one greater untruth...if the kid gets killed, he just hits 'reset'...that ain't real life. What those games teach is far more hurtful than beneficial. They're brain sucking machines...created by brain-dead morons. Buy your kid a bat and ball...or a hockey stick...or a soccer ball. Video games are life's biggest cop-out. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted March 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it All yeah, in since we are at it, they are only allowed to watch certain shows. They are not allowed to watch shows that are ignorant or have no meaning...some examples tella tubbies sponge bob simpsons any saturday morning cartoon because all they do is hit and kill barney only G movies some shows they are allowed to watch dora the explorer that train guy thingeeee stupid blues clues and any other show that actually teaches them something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyj987 Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it Video games are objects. In themselves, like a firearm, cause no problem. However, absolute disiniterest of many "gaming parents" is what can lead to issues. Most of these parents have NO clue about how violent many of these games are. I don't think we should ban the games, however, but parents have the obligation to know what their kids are watching and doing. TSBH, I respect your decision to not have a gaming system for your kids...and your reasoning for that is that of a loving father--and your kids are fortunate. That said though, your kids probably wouldn't have a problem playing games because you are active in their lives. Video games and television do become a problem when mommy and daddy sit little Johnny in front of the TV, give hime Coca-Cola, and wonder why he's hyperactive...or whatever the politically correct term is for it these days--ADD? "Little Johnny's" parents are the same kind that will deal with his problems by putting him on Ritalin--instead of making him go outside and run around with his friends. This culture of convenient parenting is an obvious problem in western society. People wonder why their kids put metal objects through their body, take ecstacy, smoke pot, and sleep around. Generally--it's because parents are disinterested in their kids. They also, out of laziness, don't discipline their kids. Spanking has become taboo and now most opt for giving "Little Johnny" a time-out--where he sits in his room, screams, and then watches TV because he was "acting out." (We used to call this--being a little brat.) Instead of being "friends" to their kids and always trying to play "good cop," children need to be taught at an early age that adults ARE authority figures and don't exist for their amusement. I did play video games as a kid---and I did watch vioulent movies. However, my parents KNEW what I was doing and made a conscious decision in these cases as to whether or not I was mature enough to do so. Looking back on my childhood, the happiest time wasn't when I beat Contra...or Super Mario...or when I played (going farther back) Outlaw on Atari with my friends. The best times were swimming at the lake, playing a pickup game of football and baseball in "the field." Or even playing Army with my friends--oh yeah, and we DID have toy guns and NEVER robbed a convenience store. I know nowadays it's not politically correct to blame the parents--but it IS their problem. Parents can't blame "Little Johnny" or even society for poor child-rearing decisions they make. Instead, they have to teach their kids ABOUT society--the problemw with it--and an authoritative, but loving way. I'm sure some will say, "Marky--you don't know what you're talking about. You don't have kids." Yeah, I don't....but you know what I've seen? My ex's daughter. At 18 months old, she would not sleep. She would stay up all night and scream and have fits. Why? Because she sat in front of the TV all day. And of course at night when she was screaming, it was because the video that was on her TV in her bedroom ran out. At about 20 months, I couldn't take it anymore...I pulled the TV out of the room and the child started sleeping through the night. By three, she turned into a VERY well-behaved child with a big heart. Several of my cousins...products of the "timeout" system. Stoners, burn-outs. Incapable of intelligent conversation. My sister...product of loving parents. Now 26 years old, happily married with a daughter and one more child on the way. Her daughter, Emily, is an absolute sweetheart. My brother...the "worst-behaved" of our loving parents. Now 30, married to a woman who has four kids from a previous marriage. He loves them like his own, takes them fishing, spends time with them at home and outdoors. Me...I was "the nerd." My parents nurtured my development and though I've hit bumps in the road, lessons from my childhood still guide me. At 27, four years after my Dad's death, I'm focused on my career. My goal in life--to be half the man he was, and I will live a great life. Whew...sorry about the long rant...guess I had too much coffee today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it Times sure have changed since i was a kid.I have a little step brother that is 12 and his mom and grandma bought him every single game there is out there.It's all he wants to do.When i get him i take him to the park or play catch with him and he always has a good time,but as soon as i go to drop him off he's right back in the game room.I don't get it.When i was a kid we would be out riding our bikes or playing football or baseball and i was never home before dark.Of course we only had 5 t.v. stations too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Re: Kids and video games...can\'t stand it [ QUOTE ] Quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Believe it or not they are thinking, using their reflexes, getting better hand eye coordination -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I couldn't disagree with that statement more [/ QUOTE ] They actually did a study on this. I saw it on the news. It showed to prove what I said, and what they said made sense to me. I have to disagree that games cause violence. Thye do not cause it any more than real guns cause it.Shooting at someone on a tv to me is less violent than pretending to actually shoot someone playing cowboys and indians. Your pressing a trigger not a button. It is definatly more graphic, but not violent. Gaming is not a problem at my house, and never will be like I said earlier. One thing I have noticed is that gaming is accepted much less by the pre Atari generations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.