Parents More Concerned About Sex Than Violence In Video Games
In a recent survey the gaming site, WhatTheyPlay.Com, asked its visitors, who are mostly the parents, to rate what they found most offensive in video games. The site is an online resource for parents, filled with information about the video games their children might be playing, as well as ratings by the Entertainment Software Association(formerly the ESRB) and ratings voted upon by users. The results of the poll showed that 37 percent of US parents thought a man and a woman having sex was the most offensive act, while two men kissing was deemed slightly more offensive than a severed head, with 27 percent and 26 percent of the vote, respectively.
These results sugggest that American parents have largely given up on their crusade against violence in video games and are now more concerned with sex. It's not the same around the world, though: A Norwegian gaming site ran the same poll with nearly the opposite results -- the severed head won 65.8% of the vote! We remember the days when you couldn't change the channel without hearing some pundit ranting about violence in mortal combat, and the demoralizing effect it has on children.
What could possibly be gained by keeping our kids from seeing pixelated versions of human sexuality, we may never know, but apparently American parents still think it's a worthwhile pursuit. So does the ESA. Of the 23 games it has rated Adults-Only, only two were given the rating for reasons other than sexual content, and one of those was an online gambling game. [Source Gaming Today]
Filed under: Video Games
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
belec @ Apr 25th 2008 8:30PM
just shows how sexually frustrated americans are ....phony screw ups.
Michael @ Apr 26th 2008 12:26AM
I believe the title of the game is Mortal Kombat....children were not actually engaging in mortal combat....
The results of this poll are disturbing. Sex is a normal activity that kids are going to find out about at some point....though responsible parents would shield their children to a reasonable degree.
Brutal violence such as beheadings has the potential to emotionally scar a child. I would think that preventing kids from playing T- or M-rated games until they are emotionally prepared to do so would be the right thing to do for a responsible parent.
Tricia @ Apr 26th 2008 9:11AM
The "guy" who wrote this article is an idiot......it was obviously written by a stupid male who doesn't have any children because he acts like kids watching people have sex is totally OK.
The poll was dead on!
Simzeee @ Apr 26th 2008 9:21AM
Americans are prudes for sure. Sex is natural. A severed head is not. Get real people get real.
Craig @ Apr 26th 2008 5:14PM
I agree with Simzeee, and I'm American!
The American people overreact waaaaaaay to much when it comes to any sexual activity even obliquely referenced in any form of pop culture. So it would make sense that Norwegians would find a severed head worse; it's been my experience that European cultures are more accepting when it comes to sex.
Just shows how narrow-minded many Americans are.
Gregory @ Apr 27th 2008 2:23AM
Oh PLEASE, PATRICIA. I stumbled across my first pornographic video when I was TWELVE, sat there and watched it, and it didn't do anything to harm me. I'm 20 years old and I just got accepted into a lucrative architectural company as an apprentice architect, with only a half year of college education. You REALLY wanna sit here and tell me that sexual content somehow "corrupts" children? Pfft, woman, please. Just cuz hubby ain't givin' you any cuz your bags are sagging doesn't mean a thing. Grow up, and let your kids do the same.
rick @ Apr 27th 2008 4:52AM
i work for the FBI ... in their inner net pronography devision....Your lucky watching hard core porn at 12 didn't effect you.... I encounter men and some woman every day who did the same and it totally perverted their concept of sex....When young people are exposed to sex during per puberty it can alter their sexual identity for life...I see it every day...I talk to these sick people every day on the WEBB...They are sick and they are dangerous, and it all started at 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 with pronography...I have innerviewed serial sex killers and almost too a man...they will tell you it started with porno when they were young...Its not a victimless crime, and one of its victims may be your daughter someday....
web @ Apr 27th 2008 4:37AM
Sex is not a game, and comes with consequences, not taught in video games.
Lorie @ Apr 27th 2008 9:31AM
I think parent need to talk to there childern and let them know all good and bad things about sex.It may not stop them,but will know how to protect them selves.
Lorie @ Apr 27th 2008 11:15AM
I think parent need to talk to there childern and let them know all good and bad things about sex.It may not stop them,but will know how to protect them selves.
linda @ Apr 27th 2008 3:34PM
I think all is clear now in America,, and we wonder whats up with Americas youth,,DA
Vin @ Apr 28th 2008 6:32PM
Hey retards, this survey was done online. That means the globe takes part in it. Who said all the participants were Americans?
J Boyd @ Apr 29th 2008 8:15AM
"The "guy" who wrote this article is an idiot......it was obviously written by a stupid male who doesn't have any children because he acts like kids watching people have sex is totally OK.
The poll was dead on!"
Oh, but letting your kids watch someone get beheaded is perfectly OK.
What, do you write children's programming for Hamas or something?
J Boyd @ Apr 29th 2008 8:27AM
Rick, you SO do not work for the FBI, you can't even spell. Do you know what kind of people the FBI recruits? People at the top of their class, and their game.
There has never, EVER, been a study that showed a direct correlation between viewing pornography and sex crimes. Of all the people who watch porn (and there are a LOT of us), less than half a percent is likely to commit ANY crime, much less one that is sexual. Sexual assault and serial killing is about POWER and control of a victim, not sex. Sex is not the cause of the behavior, it is the WEAPON they use.
So quit lying. If you need to come onto a comment board and lie to make yourself feel important, that's just sad.
emanon @ Apr 30th 2008 7:36AM
I always surprised that people in the USA have a huge hang up on sex and don't mind if young children see brutal and hard core violence.
While at the same time they seem to idealize trashy teens that are 16 and pregnant (The younger Spears girl) and support all the socialites with sex tapes by allowing their own kids to buy the 'line' of clothes or what ever materials goods they can sell.
Ever wonder who makes up these violent games? Why people in the USA are so willing to let young children watch killing? Indoctrinate them into accepting it as entertainment ?