Violence in play is nothing new

Several years ago, a senator in my home state introduced legislation that would ban the sales of video games deemed too violent - including an earlier version of Grand Theft Auto. As a parent, I have no problem with restricting underage players from games that might include graphic violence or sex, but as a citizen of a free country, I always think it’s a mistake when the government tries to legislate morality.

Violence in play is nothing new – it’s just moved into a new media. When I was a child, I played Cowboys and Indians with my cousins – and everyone died. No exceptions. And those death scenes were as graphic as we could make them: contorted faces, twitching limbs, convulsions – all part of the show. Video games aren’t really that much different.

As in any spirited discussion, there are proponents on both sides of the issue that will trot out facts to support their conclusion. Statisticians (some say) have linked real-world violence with video games, but I’m not so sure they’ve studied the right numbers or made the right connections. I believe that kids who do violent things are less the victims of video games than they are the victims of poor parenting. I have two sons, and both were raised to respect the life and property of others. In other words, I taught them morality – right from wrong. Both also play video games, but I have no fear that one day they’ll ‘snap’ and murder all their neighbors.

The statisticians should look at the families of violent children, because that’s where the true answers will be found. It’s natural to blame others for our own failures, and that’s what’s happening when video games are blamed for violence among our kids. The parents who did a poor job of raising their children will point their finger at anyone but themselves – but they’re just passing the buck.

If it makes the government feel better about itself to ban the sale of violent video games, well, more power to ‘em. But it’s not going to solve anything. Until the government addresses the decline of American family values and basic morality, nothing will improve. Some things just can’t be legislated – like morality; either you’ve learned it or you haven’t.

To the kids out there playing violent games: I hope most of you have been raised in families that teach right from wrong. If you haven’t, try not to kill anyone. To the parents: let your kids play games – it’s a good release in a world with limited opportunities to vent. But teach your children to respect others, too, and teach them the difference between right and wrong, because no government edict can do that for you.

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