Let's Talk - "Sex, Language, and Violence in Video Games"

This article has been a long time coming folks. It really has. In this year alone I have sat by, and watched the people on my Twitter timeline as well as the rest of the online media outlets spout their nonsensical bullsh*t many times over about how violence, and sexual content in video games is corrupting the youth of our world. That it's even driving them to kill, or commit other heinous crimes. The simple fact is that the ESRB rating system, and the movie based guidelines are there for a reason. When you see an "M" rated game, or an "R" rated movie with several sub-categories of sexual content, violence, and language warnings you can bet your bottom dollar that it was intended solely for a "mature" audience. Not some spoiled little middle school aged kid, or teenager with a lack of respect for parental authority. What gets me the most about this whole fiasco is the fact that it's more than likely the parents who buy their underage children the games, and dvds who are turning around, and b*tching about the games after an associated killing/crime is shown on the evening news.

While I may not have the hardcore facts to back up this statement you have to stop, and think for a second about how many middle school kids you have heard talking smack in the online lobbies of the latest 'Call of Duty' game (which is rated "M", Btw!). I can tell you it's more than just a few, and not much less than a million. What does this tell me about the parental society of today? It tells me that parents are allowing kids to get away with anything, and everything. The youth of today is made up of mostly spoiled, trash talking brats who could care less about their parents' rule, or even authority of any kind. As harsh as you may think that to be it is the truth.

You're probably wondering what this has to do with violence, and sex in video games. The answer to that is everything. If the parents would keep these "M" rated games, and "R" rated dvds out of the hands of their little delinquent children instead of pacifying them with such things the topic of "Violence/Sex in Video Games" would never be brought to the forefront of social media. The real problem lies with the parents of today. Most of them are busy doing their own thing while their children have to practically raise themselves. Sadly this self-educating, and self-raising amongst the youth of the world is done through the more mature side of the entertainment industry. It sickens me to no end to see middle school aged kids in 'Black Ops 2' with the most perversely created custom emblems, and to hear them cuss like grown ass adults is equally as disheartening. If mom, and dad could get off their lazy ass, and actually be a part of their children's lives half of the bad stuff in the world would not be happening. To blame it on well labeled mature games, and adult dvds is beyond ignorant.

Do I think violent games create a killer? No. It's simply the way children are raised these days that turns them towards violent behavior. Peer to peer interactions on school grounds, or other social hotspots can also nurture such behavior. Such things as overbearing parents, and harsh punishments can even lead to a child doing bad things. As far as the online social influence goes you'll find that children's unsupervised online activities can lead to some very bad outcomes. Once again though this points to the neglectful nature of today's parents, and not the mature forms of entertainment that many of us have grown to enjoy. The sad fact is that society in general is all about the "In Crowd" these days, and with peer pressure of any sort involved you'll find that even the most innocent child can become a monster.

Now onto the "Sex" topic. Do I think sexual content in a game should be frowned upon? No. Sexual content in mature rated games, and even in "R" rated films have pushed the limits at times, but compared to actual "Adult Films" they are nothing worth getting your panties in a wad about. As an adult film critic I can honestly tell you now that the topless ladies of the "God of War" mini-games, and even the oversized breasts of the female sorceress in Atlus's "Dragon's Crown" are mediocre in comparison the the truly hardcore stuff you'll find online, and offline. While I definitely think sexual content should only be viewed by someone of age I still don't think it's going to do the damage a hardcore porno would do. As a young man, or young woman coming of age it is in our genes to become curious about the opposite sex. We often times seek out sources other than our parents for a proper education. I'm sure some of you men that are my age happened to sneak a peek at your father's, or older friend's Playboy magazine at some point (Don't lie). It's part of growing up, and what gets us interested in things like marriage, and adulthood.

I will say from experience though that there is a line that should not be crossed when seeking out knowledge of the opposite gender. It is not healthy by any means to become obsessed with sex, or any of the hardcore porn out there. With that being said I've never seen any "hardcore" sexual content in a console based video game. Sure there are some "AO (Adults Only)" PC titles out there, but like I said about the "M" rated games these raunchy titles also come with their own brand of fair warnings. Always remember that good parental supervision can help keep a kid from gaining an early education on the more sinful pleasures of the world. It can also help them to avoid an unhealthy education on the violence of humanity which has been happening since the beginning of time regardless of the fact that video games were not even a thing back then.