Video games undermining parenting and marriage?

We have no game consoles in our home. I even won an x-box at an event, and quickly gave it to the friend sitting next to me.

We seem to be the only family that we know that does not have one.

We like it this way.

~EDIT~ I think that things like consoles/internet have the potential to be extremely distracting (look at how often we are all on here, LOL) and I think that anyone can become sucked into and/or obsessed with them, under the right *or wrong* circumstances.

I think it's parents undermining parenting. My kids would rather be outside playing but they do love their video games too. If there are restrictions and limitations from the parents, the games would not become a child's obsession. Who is it letting them play all the time...is the game telling them to? No, it's the parents allowing it. As for an adult that's doing it...there is a time in a person's life where you just can't use the past/childhood as an excuse for ones behavior. This person just obviously does not want to grow up. Can you place the blame for that on something electronic? Or should the blame lie with the person who is choosing to let the games control their life?

It's not video games. It's putting yourself before your responsibility's. It's the same old story about men who don't grow up it's just a different game. I think this will happen more often because of the way a lot of kids are brought up feeling entitled. They are taught it's all about them and never figure out that it is not.

Love is blind and we don't see the flaws. Besides you never know what kind of family person you are going to be until your in it. I think almost everyone thinks the fairytale but life's not like that. Last night my son made a comment about how I can be a little nutty. My wife said this is calm you should have seen him before he was married. She's right I am not the same person as I was then. I changed in a relatively short period of time. Only because I knew what I was would never make it. Sometimes it just clicks.

I don't think video games are inherently bad. The problem develops when parents don't monitor the time spent playing games; children should only be given time to play games when homework and chores are done, and videogame time should be balanced with outdoor activities.

Husbands are a different matter. That has to do with the maturity level of the male involved. I enjoy spending time playing games, but limit the time because I value my relationship with my wife far more than time spent playing. It is selfish to take more than maybe an hour a day for playing, especially if it hinders the relationship.

I don't necessarily think that all video games are bad. We have a ps2 and a handful of games for it. All games are rated 'E' for everyone. I don't like the violent games, and therefore don't buy them. In addition to the ps2, my son also has a DS.

He hardly plays with either. The DS is used mostly on long car trips.

I'm not sure why it isn't such a big deal for him, other than I think mostly it's a matter of time. He has homework, and chores, musical rehearsal for school, as well as euphonium practice for band.

As for those out there that have supposedly grown up and still only play video games instead of being a productive member of their family. I think it's a matter of selfish behavior. Somewhere, somehow, that child/man didn't learn how to properly sort out his priorities. I don't believe I could be with someone that self-centered.

Also might want to take note, it's not just the video game enthusiasts who are neglecting their families. You also have those avid hunters who spend all their free time either in the woods or preparing to be in the woods year round. Let's also not forget the workaholic who deliberately fills his day with extra work. And we can't forget the football fanatic who somehow manages to still find football related stuff to watch even in the offseason. My son's father was obsessed with all 3. If he wasn't out in the woods, he was watching football, if not one of those activities, he was still somehow involved with work. Being a part of the family was low on his list of priorties. His priorities were quite clearly: work, hunting, football, his friends, his son, the dog, and then me. Needless to say, we didn't last long.

video games undermining parenting marriage

First you shouldn't post a question that long we don't have all night to we got other questions to answer. But I didn't really know if this was actually a question. I think that drinking, smoking, porn all need to be kept to individuals and if they choose to indulge without harming others they should have the right too. Is it wrong, who knows I mean really the Bible don't talk about all of this it has to be interrupted and that just doesn't work when you have so many religions.

I think men like the distraction of game consoles/tv etc...because they (as a general rule) like to avoid rehasing their problems through conversation. My ex watched tv and drank and my husband plays rpg's. They are both wonderful men but that is how they escape the issues they have that they don't want to discuss at risk of being a burden or unmanly.

My ex's wife really turned him around (he still likes a night like that once in awhile) and my husband and I made an agreement that he plays after we've all spent good time together.