Is there any reason we SHOULD have video games? - Page 3

[lonegirl]

Originally Posted by TEAK's Mom

Can I come play at your house?

LOL I believe we may be a few hours apart from each other....otherwise you'd be welcome!!

[mom2happy]

Originally Posted by mamazee

People don't get dopamine rushes anywhere near the level of cocaine from video games. I'd think sex would give greater rushes than video games by a large margin. There are reasons to consider whether video games are a good addition to a home, but that seems just silly to me.

Right, that's why I said this

I wonder if video games aren't that bad since your body produces the dopamine from excitement and interest versus a substance consumed. I don't know, but I'm very interested.

As far as the sex goes I agree with Ednamarie
I do have a guaranteed dopamine high from chocolate.

[Teensy]

Not a reason why YOUR family should buy video games, but a reason that I am glad we did. My DSs have a great deal of trouble making friends. They each have some social issues that, of course, we are constantly working on.

My DD, on the other had, raised by the same parents, is a social butterfly with literally dozens of friends - nurture my ass, but I digress.

We didn't get any gaming systems until three years ago, but once we bought a Wii, it made playdates go so much more smoothly. The boys could play a game with clearly defined rules where the social interaction was proscribed by the game. Two boys, two guitars, they agreed on a Guitar Hero song and started playing. Two boys, two Wii-motes, one Lego Harry Potter game and they were playing together well. It has helped them get over the challenge of figuring out the social norms associated with playing with other kids.

It has helped my DSs, but of course, YMMV, and your DC may not require any assistance in social matters.

[shanetedissac]

I will just tell you what we are doing.

Back when my kids were all small we did have limited media. As we progressed though the years it became apparent the strong desire by our eldest to use media. I do my best to stear it more to the positve and learning media. With regards to video games. We purchased the Wii system about 3 years ago because it was the most interactive system out then. I do limit what type of games they can have. We are a member of a game exchange (like Netflix). They get a game for a week and we send it back for another one. I also get stuff for me

In truth, I would love to have my kids be with much less media. It just happens to be very productive for my eldest son. We unschool and I encourage him to use what works best for him. The others have just followed the leader. Interesting enough though is that they are not as driven by media. To each their own

Good luck!

[Kuba'sMama]

First of all, let me say that this is a thoroughly interesting discussion and I loved reading all the responses and different points of view.

If I had to "identify" myself, I guess I would fall into the "video game yes" category, although I hate to be put in a box like that! I grew up playing super mario bros and had a great time with that. My husband bought me the new super mario world for my last birthday and the kids had a blast watching me play and meeting all the characters, which they promptly used in their many, many pretend games. I do believe in a balance, outside time, friend time, reading time, etc. Video games is just *one* of the many things my ds does, not all by any means(dd is not interested).

I do agree with pp who said that it helps some more socially awkward kids (usually boys, in my experience) make friends easier. Don't mean to be cheeky at all, but realistically speaking not all kids live in communities where "playing alone outside with a stick and an acorn" will get you invited to a lot of birthday parties. If we are modeling ourselves after more traditional cultures that we respect, we have to look at some things in context. Yes, there the kids are happy to play outside with sticks and stones, fishing and hunting. Why?? Because there is nothing else for them, and that's what all the kids do, that's how they belong to a group and feel like a part of a larger community. Most of us live in urban centres and not rural tribes and here teaching your child to belong might mean something slightly different.

Just my two cents, I struggle with conflicting ideologies on a regular basis myself.

[Youngfrankenstein]

[QUOTE=mom2happy;15938808]

Originally Posted by MJB

That is good to know. Sometimes I get dramatic about things. It wouldnt have to be either/ or, especially when there would be time limits.
Gosh- it's like Im seeing technology as something that threatens childhood. I am just too darn sensitive and think I need to loosen up.

First of all I think you've got your head on straight about this. I see no reason you should purposfully add video games to your kids' lives. We are gamers here a bit but they get 30 minutes of game time a day whether it's Wii or computer if homework is done. They really don't watch TV during the week; their choice.

Second, I would say that 50 or 100 years ago, many things probably threw those parents for a loop as far as new technology goes. It may sound silly, but there simply came a time where families just weren't churning their own butter anymore. Something they'd had to do every time since the beginning. Now I don't know if any parents got upset or worried about that, but watching many Mystery Science Theater 3000 Shorts about the "old days" shows that the older generation usually thinks worse of the newer generation laziness-wise.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by provocativa

can't wait to hear all those 'but i just can't make any milk' whines from women 20 years from now who are plugged into the borg 24/7.

That's a really sad thing to say. I'm glad you think they're whiners. <sarcasm>

I find this fascinating that you're telling us this on a computer message board with sources quoted from Wikipedia....

And I don't want to live in a world without sugar!

And I'll reference myself to say that I'm sure past generations have thought that the new technology, be it the airplane or the ipod was going to ruin the world.

[Pookietooth]

We don't have video games either and we have a seven year old. Ds already gets way way too much screen time with the DVDs we get from the library as well as watching our new subscription to basic cable (he watches 10 or more hours a day when we're home all day, which I've tried not to be for that reason).