[citation][nom]JOSHSKORN[/nom]There is NOTHING WRONG with video game violence. FFS, it's social media and idiotic Super Nanny-dependent parenting. While part of me wants to just blindly adopt Australia's gun control laws, we'll have the exact same problem we did during the Prohibition era, just with guns, instead. Our boarders are not secure enough and Mexico will never have its act together to get rid of the drug cartels, and weapons (guns, particularly) will be smuggled. We practically need a DMZ between the US and Mexico.I wish people would stop wasting their time talking about treating mental health and focus on the availability of the types of guns people probably shouldn't have (anything concealed, anything automatic). We need to do that, and pass laws on a federal level on obtaining guns. I hear in Arizona, they might as well sell guns at Toys R' Us, it's easy enough to get a gun there.[/citation]
I disagree. I think that video games can have a PROFOUND effect upon youth. If you ARE a young person reading this it is probable that won't notice the effect upon yourself until you are older and reflect back. You may disagree at this point in time, but you must realize that your life is still just begining and you have a very small perspective on which to make your basis upon. It has been researched and said that the adult mind does not stop developing until around age 35. Consider this if you believe you have finally gotten a good grasp on life. I assure you that you will never stop learning, facing new hardships, or developing your perspectives and your character.
The fact is, media influences us. If it didn't advertising wouldn't be a multi-trillion dollar industry.
But aside from the influence, one simply cannot go door to door and take away other people's freedoms.
It is up to parents to keep their children from being influenced by violence in the home - not the responsibility of the government.
Afterall, where does one draw the line? Will we be told that we cannot spank our kids but that Uncle Sam is responsible for that too? Discipline is the job of a parent.
It isn't the job of the government to educate our children when it comes to morals, math, science, politics, religion, sex, or anything else. It is a PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE THEIR CHILD. If you can't handle that responsibility, don't have kids. If you have them anyway, then step up and start learning to be an adult, man or mother. Put the child first, before yourself. It's natural, and the more you do that the more you will come to see it is right. Selfishness only leads to heartache for a parent in the long run.
Not every child is the same, and they cannot be coddled them forever. But as an attentive parent who has educated themselves about how to educate a child we should be able to discern our child's maturity and gauge what they are or are not ready for. Most importantly, we must teach our children the importance of teaching their children, and to impress upon their child that it will also be important to carry on the tradition of eduction throughout future generations.
Having a child is the biggest responsibility one can ever face in life. It far outweighs anything else. We can look back and let the "unfairness" of our childhood rule us, or work to give our children better than what we had despite the hardships that we faced and had to overcome.
Work is only a means to provide, but if we fail to provide other resources, such as our time and our love, such as morals, such as how to share and love others before ourselves, etc. then the child may just as well starve because without learning things like the necessity of self defense but how to properly handle a weapon the end result is death regardless. Food and clothing do not complete Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs.
If you don't know what that is, google it. Take the time to decipher how your parents did, and if you notice an area where your parents could have improved, then make certain you improve that area (and all areas) when you become a parent. At the same time, have some faith that as long as you love your child and try your best - your child will turn out just fine.
/rant
P.S. I was raised in a religious home but am an atheist. To further explain my stance I will share this quote:
"A man's ethical behaviour should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear and punishment and hope of reward after death." ~ Albert Einstein