Responsibility and Violent Video Games

I have been thinking about last week's Supreme Court decision that overturned a California law that banned the selling of violent video games to minors. The law was challenged on the grounds of the First Amendment and last week the Supreme Court in a 7-2 decision overturned the law.

I won't go into some of the fun arguments here. For example: where does the First Amendment really apply here? After all Congress did not pass a law, the State of California did. Why is a game that allows a fourteen year old to sexually assault a woman or blow her head off with a shotgun free speech, but not a magazine with naked pictures of a woman? Are we saying that we would rather that young man kill a woman that ogle her? Violence is ok, but sex is bad? We will skip pass some of the interesting quibbles here and go straight to the heart.

I want to go on record as approving the decision to keep the government out of deciding what games can and can't be purchased. This is not a libertarian argument. I am not a libertarian, I think that, though many mean well, they are quite silly people. This has to do with responsibility. It is not the responsibility of the State to determine what my kids play, watch, read, or listen to. It is my responsibility.

It seems to me that too many parents are willing to turn over the responsibility of raising their children to others. If your 14 year old wants a game that you think is inappropriate then just say no. It is a perfectly acceptable response to a request. IF the same fourteen year old wants a stripper and a keg stand at his next birthday party you just say no. Parents have, and should continue to have, the authority over these decisions. Don't just give your kid $50-$75 to buy a video game. Ask what game he or she wants and then look it up on the internet. There are dozens, hundreds, thousands of reviewers out there. Find those you can trust and examine. Do you know what your kids are reading? Do you listen to the lyrics of the music they buy. If you can't understand the lyrics then look them up on the internet.

As a parent I am responsible for what goes into my children. I am responsible for their friends, their education, and every part of their life. Now that doesn't mean that one has to smother or annoy their kids. If you would rather puncture your ear drums than listen to a Justin Bieber song that is understandable. You don't have to like their books, you don't have to like their shows, or music, or anything else. You do have to approve of it though.

Parents, rise up and take your responsibility seriously. Do not put the burden on the State or anyone else to do your job.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad