2008 Woodie Awards
'Grand Theft' parenthood part IV
Kallayan Thuch
Issue date: 5/15/08 Section: Opinion
With the extinction of common sense, a predictable uproar erupted over the Grand Theft Auto IV console game in its first week of its release.
Columnist Katherine Kersten of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune whined that Grand Theft Auto IV turned men into heartless criminals.
Sexist women-first blogs all moan about Grand Theft Auto IV supposedly encouraging violence toward women, while ignoring the violence toward all the characters who are male.
If all these misinformed sheep feel the game has such a negative impact on society, I have to wonder why "parents" even buy the game for their kids at all.
Let me explain the situation slowly so these helpless parents can understand. Graaand Theeeft Auuutooo Fooour is raaated "M" for Maaature. Thaaat meeeaaans kiiids shooould nooot beee plaaayiiing iiit.
Parents and critics should wake up from the illusion that video games are solely an activity for children.
People of all ages play video games and just like with movies, video games are given age ratings by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
Huge posters of the ratings are on display in an attempt to help them decide what games are appropriate for their children. That's right. I said attempt.
Parents still buy games inappropriate for their child's age range.
The U.S. should follow New Zealand's lead. In New Zealand, it is illegal for parents to buy games like Grand Theft Auto IV for their children or another minor.
Maybe if parents got in trouble for being so irresponsible, perhaps they would become real parents for once.
Also, people are always trying to ban games or sue game-makers so let's see how parents will like it when the tempest rips their way.
People tend to get the picture once they face any shred of consequence in their pampered lives.
I don't care if parents' ignorance is innocent. After all, games are so evil and destroying society.
The Federal Trade Commission found that retailers are doing their part to enforce the ratings. The commission sent undercover minors to purchase M-rated games.
This year only 20 percent of minors got a hold of M rated games unlike the 48 percent of last year.
The world is not a day-care center. It is not up to retailers to spoon feed parents every little thing they should know.
It is up to parents to monitor and control what their children have access to.
I am tired of people slandering and making outrageous claims over video games they never played.
Ignorance and scapegoating should not be rewarded with equally ignorant critics giving such people praise and credibility.
Instead, the whiners should be punished for their inability to be a parent.
I could finally live life without my favorite pastime insulted.
Also, parents would have one less activity to blame their poor parenting on: Problem solved.
Columnist Katherine Kersten of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune whined that Grand Theft Auto IV turned men into heartless criminals.
Sexist women-first blogs all moan about Grand Theft Auto IV supposedly encouraging violence toward women, while ignoring the violence toward all the characters who are male.
If all these misinformed sheep feel the game has such a negative impact on society, I have to wonder why "parents" even buy the game for their kids at all.
Let me explain the situation slowly so these helpless parents can understand. Graaand Theeeft Auuutooo Fooour is raaated "M" for Maaature. Thaaat meeeaaans kiiids shooould nooot beee plaaayiiing iiit.
Parents and critics should wake up from the illusion that video games are solely an activity for children.
People of all ages play video games and just like with movies, video games are given age ratings by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
Huge posters of the ratings are on display in an attempt to help them decide what games are appropriate for their children. That's right. I said attempt.
Parents still buy games inappropriate for their child's age range.
The U.S. should follow New Zealand's lead. In New Zealand, it is illegal for parents to buy games like Grand Theft Auto IV for their children or another minor.
Maybe if parents got in trouble for being so irresponsible, perhaps they would become real parents for once.
Also, people are always trying to ban games or sue game-makers so let's see how parents will like it when the tempest rips their way.
People tend to get the picture once they face any shred of consequence in their pampered lives.
I don't care if parents' ignorance is innocent. After all, games are so evil and destroying society.
The Federal Trade Commission found that retailers are doing their part to enforce the ratings. The commission sent undercover minors to purchase M-rated games.
This year only 20 percent of minors got a hold of M rated games unlike the 48 percent of last year.
The world is not a day-care center. It is not up to retailers to spoon feed parents every little thing they should know.
It is up to parents to monitor and control what their children have access to.
I am tired of people slandering and making outrageous claims over video games they never played.
Ignorance and scapegoating should not be rewarded with equally ignorant critics giving such people praise and credibility.
Instead, the whiners should be punished for their inability to be a parent.
I could finally live life without my favorite pastime insulted.
Also, parents would have one less activity to blame their poor parenting on: Problem solved.
Be the first to comment on this story