I'm Not Mom

Adele Haze who writes a blog I read (it's an adult subject blog by an adult fetish model so think before you click) recently wrote an entry about a PlayStation2 game called "Rule of Rose."  It's apparently stirring up controversy in Europe for having adult content (dark and sadomasochistic images as well as lesbian overtones).  There have been moves in Europe to ban it there because it's not the sort of subject matter children should be exposed to,  Sony US decided not to release it here for fear of controversy -- it's being distributed here by another, smaller game company.

I don't want to get into reviewing the game or its content except to say that, despite reviews saying the actual play is a bit slow / clunky, it sounds like something I'd enjoy.  But whether I would or not is beside the point.   What the point, for me, is that by expecting that every game released be suitable for children, other adults like myself are being forced by parents into living in their child-safe bubble.   This, in my opinion, isn't right.  There are books, films, places and, yes, games that are intended for adults.  They are not appropriate for children nor should they have to be.  It's the responsibility of parents to keep their own children away from them.  Not to rid the world of the item, but to decide what is and isn't appropriate within their own households and those they allow their children to frequent.

In other words, leave me out of it.  I don't have children and I don't plan to.  I don't tend to frequent places with children -- my interests and tastes are largely adult.   The students I work with are already adults .  If my husband and I wanted to live in a child-safe world we would.  Parents need to just say no to games you don't think are appropriate for their families and not expect this to be done by passing laws the effect adults.  PS2 games are about $30 - $50.  Where would kids get that kind of cash if not from their parents? 

This is an old issue for me, but one that keeps coming up.  A couple of years ago on my other blog, I wrote a review of Grand Theft Auto: San Andres.  In it I commented on the this very topic writing

In getting links and pictures together for this blog entry, I came across a lot of [writing by] mothers and educators worrying about the effect playing this game (the cite it specifically) would have on their 11 year olds. Excuse me? Why would you let your 11 year old play with this? The game costs $50 -- they can't buy it with their lunch money. This is an old rant for me, but it bothers me when parents think the world needs to be made kid-proof. My mom and dad decided I wouldn't see any R rated movies, even on cable, until I was 13. Even then, until I was 16 I had to check with them and they usually prescreened them or watched them with me. GTA isn't written to target 11 year-olds. The game is written for those of us who were teens in the 1980s and early 1990s -- people who are now in their twenties and thirties. I'm basing this the music and sense of humor. Please, parents, I beg you to keep track of what games your kids are playing. Me? I'd like to see adult movies, books and games safe from the daycare crowd.

It's true that when my parents bought our family's first Atari system the games were all intended for children.  But times and technology have changed.  Further, there's a whole generation now in their 30s and even 40s who've been playing computer and video games since their teens.  It only makes sense that game makers now write games for an adult market in addition to the child one. 

Personally I'm going to try and get a copy of "Rule of  Rose" to play while I'm recovering after my surgery next month.  I promise that after I finish with the game, when I pass it along afterwards it will be to another adult.  Now if only I could get parents to promise not to try and take toys away from the grown-ups.

Comments

[caligirlPEI]

thanks ezpy for bringing up this topic. i agree with you 100% and im a parent on an 11 year old. we are very strict with her on what she is allowed to watch and what games she plays. we check all of them for rating and content.

i work at a video store that rents games for all the systems and you would be suprised at how little a lot of parents care what game their kids gets. if the kid comes to the counter with a M (mature) rated game we cant rent it to them. if the parent rents it and the kids are wtih them i let the parent know that its rated mature and they for the most part just shrug it off and say stuff like "oh they've played it before" or "its only a game"...blah blah blah. makes me sick really but i can only do my job and make sure they are aware of the rating. we also have some members that have a note on their account that says little johnny can rent mature games...giving the kid free raine (sp?) on what they get.

oh well....i put 99% of the blame on parents if the "children" get their hands on these games.

theres my cents worth. hugs to you girlie :-)

[Sarah]

Word. Just fucking word. I think about 75% of the crap all people deal with on a daily basis could be avoided if parents actually parented.

As a gamer without kids, but who would like to someday have some, I think its imperative that people understand the content and themes of the games they let their kids play. Of my favorite games of the last five years, two are made for all audiences-- World of Warcraft and City of Heroes. I also might let a pre-teen play something along the lines of a goofy shooter like Serious Sam or a stealth shooter like Deus Ex. But some of the other games I've played, like Doom III, Max Payne 2, Painkiller, and American McGee's Alice are games for adults. By and for adults.

You might could make a point about the broader infantilization of our culture. Why does everything have to be kid friendly?

Now I have to go search for Rule of Rose on PC or a PC port of it. Sounds cool, and I don't have a console.

[Regina]

There are no good parents.

[Becky]

I wholeheartedly agree with you! We should be able to have our fun without having to worry about it getting into the wrong hands. These parents and bureaucrats who bitch and complain about video games, are also probably allowing their children to roam free on the internet! RofR certainly seems it isn't meant for children (I haven't actually played it, but adore survival horror games), but rather adults who have the ability to process such content in an adult manner, and discern fantasy from reality. Video games aren't just meant for children anymore - my ex-boyfriend just bought his first video game console...at the age of 21!

Perhaps parents need to stop using the video game console as a babysitter and allow their children to make their own fun - outside in the fresh air! Or discuss with their children why they feel a game is inappropriate, if they are inclined to purchase games for their children.