Sep 22 2008
Atari Anyone?
While flipping through the channels on TV, I paused on Headline News. The commentator and guests were discussing a recent survey which revealed that 97% of all US kids play video games. As I listened to the group talk, I wondered why anyone found the statistic startling.
We have increasingly disengaged from the lives of our children. Rather than invest time and energy into developing our future generations, we welcome anything that allows us to escape them. Hence, the emergence of a kid culture immersed in video-mania. This outlet offers them a world where they are always in control and welcome.
A caller, Caty in Connecticut, phoned in to say she has no problems with her children’s gaming addiction.”Video games are like having a friend,” she said. When I was growing up, I played a little Atari, but not to the exclusion of everything else. It definitely made some time to enjoy the world outside my front door. I could only roll my eyes at the ridiculousness of her statement. My childhood was not filled with a plethora of friends. I read books, but I never considered those a replacement for human contact.
My boyfriend has two sons. We spend time with them at least every other weekend. He takes them to the park. They practice skating in the neighborhood in preparation for the times we take them to the skating rink. They study letters, reading, and math during power hour. They play board games and watch a little TV. They spend a wealth of time just talking. They don’t miss the video games. Children will do what they are allowed to do. Parents have to set limits. . . .
