Re:How to Raise Boys Who Read
by JoeAltmaier on Saturday September 25, 2010 @02:58PM
(#1727549)
I think computer games can be different. Depth of play, size of universe, and an online community.
Yes, we had a TV while they were growing up. A small set in the family room. The boys never used it - it was for my wife.
Sure they played their share of console games - at other people's houses. That was social.
What's bad is having your own console in your room for instance. No need to share, no social interaction, no reason to come out of your room for 13 years in fact. That's sick and disfunctional.
We are in fact a heavy computer-game-playing family. We have over 100 titles on a shelf. But we played them at appropriate times, WITH one another, either networked or all sitting behind the keyboard and collaborating. Some of the best family times that they remember.
Do you have a TV?
We have a TV for DVDs only but I let my eldest play games occasionally and imagine that both lads will play their share of Nintendo (or whatever) as they grow up. I find games less troublesome (depending on theme) as they are interactive usually involve consideration of tactics or puzzle solving and are fun. They don't have commercials either.
Presumably they don't play games on a PC either as that would be functionally equivalent (wouldn't it?)?