Violence has been a staple of human entertainment since Cain thwaped Able on the head with a big rock and laughed. Our reactions to the ongoing popularity of violence is always mixed. We grieve that humans have come so far yet still seem to retain this bloodlust, and then an explosion happens and we are all like “Ooo! Aaaah!�

Still, the fact that there are violent movies and television has typically caused some grumbling amongst those higher minded of us that believe we should get past this childish infatuation with slaughter and those parents who very much wish to shield their tender children against such things, but for the most part, society at large accepts that there will exist violent entertainment and then move on with their lives as best they can. America has developed in such a way that most violent things tell you they are going to be violent before you see them so that you have a choice about whether or not to watch. I would argue you have a choice regardless, that when it comes on and, guess what, it’s getting a little bloody, turn it off or leave.

Okay, so, problem solved. But what about the children? They are not always so discerning as adults in such things. They are not aware of how violence will affect their actions and behaviors. They need to be shielded.

Well, this has always been the case. Admittedly when violence is in the streets outside the window, it becomes more difficult to shield children to its affects than it is when we live in a world where violence is either imaginary or far away. In the latter case it only takes a little effort and supervision on the part of the parents, not to mention a few rules, and keeping the child’s entertainment safe, enjoyable, educational, and violence-free is NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

So why all the hubbub regarding violent games? Well the simple answer is that video games are, in a large portion of the population, still regarded as a form of entertainment that is entirely made for children. It is the view of such people that if video games are violent, then some sicko out there must be making them violent specifically for children.

Such a person still has a very shaky grasp of the politics of capitalism. Here is the fact: as long as it makes money, companies couldn’t care less who buys or uses their products. This is not to say they will not comply with laws regarding rating their games and such. Another well-known fact of marketing is that the more forbidden something is, the more people want it.

Should this outrage us? If so, we must be outraged at ourselves as much as we are at soulless companies. Because the thing that motivates such calloused behavior is simple human nature. People will always act in the interest of what benefits them above what might benefit another.

I know for a fact that there are a LOT of bad parents out there. I have met a number of them and even more of their children. And from experience, I also know that, while parenting is not an easy task, and even the best of parents will screw up from time to time, that as long as you are there for the child and exhibit a modicum of authoritative discipline over what is good for and not good for the child, they will turn out okay. The state should take all the money they are spending on harassing the video game industry and turn it more in the direction of making it so that irresponsible people will not make babies.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 26th, 2006 at 3:52 am and is filed under Mulligan Adventures. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.