No matter what anyone tells you, or what you might believe, our parents at all times want what's best for us. Even when it comes to video games...
The majority of parents are simply new to video games - in a way, they're afraid of them. Even to this day, the fact that I write about video games is something of an oddity to my parents. It's something that wasn't a part of their childhood, and thus, they don't know how to deal with something they don't have any personal experience with. They think it doesn't have a good deal of importance, maybe in comparison to the grand scheme of things, video games don't. Yet that isn't to say that they're worthless or they don't have tremendous value.
Times have changed, yet the mindset of parents...hasn't. They're nonetheless stuck in their old ways, and while they may not view the value of video games, it's essential to point out to them the reason why we love what we do and to stand our ground in protecting that.
Here are 5 things parents usually tell us regarding game titles, and what we could say in response:
1) Video Game Titles Will Rot Your Brain
This would be the same debate they made regarding television when it was first invented. Most of our parents relax and watch television just as much as we have fun with video games....in reality, would you like to know what the top tv show happens to be among adults fifty and over? Dancing with the Stars. That's right, those adults suggesting that you're rotting your brain having fun with Call of Duty are watching a show that gives washed-up stars (as well as retired football players) the chance to win a dance contest. It's just like Dance, Dance, Revolution, except instead of playing it, you sit back and watch someone else do it. Rotting, you say? It's far better to in no way challenge your parents yet it may be intriguing to see how they respond to this fact-that is until they tell you that...
2) Video Games Are A Waste Of Money
I heard this one a whole lot when I was a kid. I had a career which paid me close to four bucks per hour after taxes. My mother flipped when I used roughly two days of labor on Syphon Filter (best forty dollars I ever spent...). It's understandable that when you're a kid money is difficult to find and game titles aren't exactly cheap (that's why we give gamers a chance to win one totally free).
Do yourself a big favor and start a savings account...anytime you would spend a buck on a video game, or game accessory, match that dollar for dollar in your new bank account. By doing this, when your parents tell you you're totally wasting money on video game titles, it's actually all a part of your effort to increase your savings :) If you're very wise, you'll be able to persuade your parents to match every dollar you put in there...yet don't push it...the name of the game is to establish that games can be a great financial investment as well as show us how to actually save money.
3) Playing Video Game Titles Makes You Anti-Social
That depends on what your definition of "social" happens to be. If being social is attending dances in which one half of the teenagers arrive wasted or gatherings which are restricted to merely the "cool kids" (or cops) then I'd say that being "anti-social" is more than alright. To begin with, don't let anyone ever tell you what it really means to be "social." Find friends that you connect with and also share the exact same passions as you, not who everyone seems to be following.
With that being said, video games are greatly underrated as a social tool. To be any good at 90% of today's game titles, you have to know just how to work cooperatively with other people, all with the frequent goal of working towards a standard goal (like raiding, for instance). Gaming calls for a considerable amount of both of those. If that's not being "social" then I don't really know what is.
4) Game Titles Are Extremely Violent
This is probably where most parents begin:
"You can't buy that game, it's too violent!"
To start with, in case you're under seventeen and your parents won't permit you to purchase a video game that's graded Mature, know one thing...they happen to be right. Nonetheless, if your mom or dad won't allow you to have fun with any game title because they believe all game titles are too violent...tell them this:
Never assume all game titles are made similarly. The majority of our parents sit back and watch the same news program every evening because it speaks to their unique philosophy. In case you advised them that all news programs happened to be similar, they'd probably argue with you on the belief that different programs have different individuality, ideas, as well as means of presenting themselves. Game titles are the same. Every video game will be unique-to say that they're all negative for you or violent is a lot like stating that the program your parents consistently watch is the same as anything else. In many ways, parents simply need to be informed on video game titles. The fact that you make an effort to communicate your understanding of them is absolutely remarkable, and at the very least, is going to get you prepared for a profession in law.
5) You Ought To Be Doing Assignments
This one can be difficult, as brilliant as a few video games are, it's almost impossible playing them while doing your homework at the same time...doing so will only turn your writing assignment into something reminiscent of an RPG.
So, instead of wishing to eat your cake and have it too (no, that saying doesn't make sense at all, but still I'm gonna go with it) make an effort to balance the two by using game titles as your own prize. This not merely benefits you, but it plays a little something of a mindgame with your parents. Parents will always be seeking to give their children good rewards (good parents, anyway) for doing their homework...video games just gave you a way to create your own!
"Just what are you doing actively playing WOW? You should be doing your homework...!"
"I just finished doing long division for Mrs. Butterworth's class, and I'm leading this raid as a reward. Once I've successfully completed my mission, I'm gonna finish up my article for Mr. Mcintosh and I'll be done for the night."
You sound alarmingly close to being your own parent...and by all measures, that's way more scary to parents than a video game.
...At the end of the day, keep in mind our parents want what's best for us, and the fact that they're trying to "take away game titles" is merely their way of doing what they think is for the best. Use the above list, and inform them why you love video games, and why they're very important to you. Your parents would listen...in fact, if you're convincing enough, they might even sit down with you and see what all the fuss is all about :)
About the Author:
The Jace Hall Show is an online reality show which covers video game title news and personas as well as interviews with film/tv/sports superstars. It also has posts which features video games and parents as well as video game show.
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