Parents Don't Do Enough

As some of you can tell, I am about stirring the pot and causing discussion and I will not refrain from telling readers how I feel about a certain topic. With upcoming release of the new Grand Theft Auto game, I felt the need to talk about the controversy surrounding video games and their affect on society.

Now I am big on video games. I own 4 systems and have games spanning 5 (the PS2 also plays Original PlayStation games). One of my personal favorites is the Blood Rayne games which combines violence, blood, gore, and a very sexy main character. As much as I love these games, I also am a big advocate of the rating system to help parents know which games to let their children play or to keep them from playing. I do not feel that a 10 year old needs to be playing a game like Grand Theft Auto. Despite the rating system, every time something bad happens where a school is assaulted by students with guns the blame is put on these games that these kids were allowed to play as wall as the music they listened to or the movies they watched.

While I feel it is inappropriate for young kids to play violent games or watch violent movies, I makes me sick that people fail to blame parents for not raising their children more diligently and taking responsibility for what happened. And place the blame mostly on the children who commit these acts of violence. I know it is a big politically correct thing where we need to be understanding and I do see the need to be delicate about it. I am not a heartless bastard. And even mental illness can be an excuse for such behavior. But for those of you who blame music, video games, or movies for the behavior of these troubled youths or violence in society, I have a few questions. Who let then play these games? Who let them watch these movies? Who let them listen to this music? Who didn't teach them from an early age that the violence in these games is wrong? The answer, their parent(s).

This new age parenting of making deals with your kids, respecting their privacy, and letting them be "free spirits" is a bunch of crap. As a parent you have a responsibility to raise you children and control what they watch, listen to, and play. You have the responsibility of teaching that killing is wrong and attacking people for no reason is wrong. Especially if they hear of something violent happening in the news. That is when you need to talk to them instead of just letting them hear about it and saying nothing. And you children do not have a right to privacy (technically Americans don't have that right to begin with). They have a right to be provided food, clothing, shelter, and loving parents. If your child proves that he can be trusted then by all means give them some privacy but not to the point that you stop being a parent. If your child doesn't show you that they can be trusted you don't give them privacy. You take it away, and you check on them to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to. And you never make deals with kids. You need to be a parent and set rules and guidelines just like there are laws that must be followed in the real world.

The bottom line is that you can not trust society to ensure your child will know right from wrong. You must take responsibility as a parent for their actions and set an example for your children as well. The best way to teach your child is by what you do because that is where they learn the best. All the words in the world will be just wasted if your actions defy your words. I know some of you will say "parents can only do so much" but the problem is that parent don't do the "so much" that they can do. Often they fall short and the child is the one they hurt by not doing all they can do.

I welcome your comments, both good bad on all of my blogs.