What They Play Poll Finds Parents Fear Sex in Games

[Logan Frederick]

What They Play Poll Finds Parents Fear Sex in Games

A survey of gamer parents confirms that sex is a bigger concern than violence in games.

A poll posted by John Davison's [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/77111] What They Play asked gaming parents an age-old inquiry: Which would you find most offensive in a video game?

The results, not too surprisingly, revealed that thirty seven percent of the voters found a man and woman having sex to be the most offensive option. Two men kissing and a graphically severed head nearly tied with 27 and 26 percent of the vote, respectively.

Controversy surrounding games such as the Hot Coffee [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/78782] debacle and sexual content in Mass Effect make these results, that sex in games concerns parents more than violence, less shocking. Yet still, John Davison wonders on his blog, "Not to keep banging on about this, but W.T.F?"

Permalink

 

[freetogoodhome]

The big thing is that they think that two males kissing is more offensive than a severed human head. If I was to send a picture of two guys kissing followed by a human head which would you be shocked by the most?

 

[the_tralfalmadorian]

dude....what the hell. this is just sad.

 

[Brodden]

well at least they care more of what is shown then the character verbal resonses of F this and that. Man Brokeback Mountain really hit them hard didn't it? I would have thought that the sex would essentially max out, hence parents throwing out playboy's, etc. or real women naked. The head is shocking because they will take their kids to a star wars movie were darth maul is cut in half but(which by the way was animated) and that's ok. but see a head in a game bugs them as much a gay men expressing affection. Sad state

 

[qbert4ever]

If I was going to vote in this poll, I would need more info.
Such as, what type of sex are we talking? If it's a bunch of S&M stuff with whips, rope, chains, and the like, the I would not want any of my possible future kids to see it. That type of thing is reserved for daddy and mommy's "alone" time...

And what does it mean by the head part? After all, go to any museum and you're sure to find an ancient human skull that may or may not have been chopped off. More importantly, what type of human head are we talking about (hint hint wink wink)?

How about the two men kissing? What are they kissing? If I see two dudes making out with a boulder, I'm gonna think it's weird as hell but I'm not gonna be offended by it.

All in all, I would need to know a lot more about this poll before I pass judgment on the people that voted on it.

 

[Andy Chalk]

I can't tell if you're attempting to be funny or just trying to defend the findings of the poll by being intentionally obtuse.

 

[FortOyer]

I don't know what makes violence more acceptable than sex, I've been told that in Central Europe sex is more acceptable than violence; which may go on to explain the Nudist supermarkets. But really what we're seeing here is more of a subjective view of American Society's mindset after being spoonfed repeatedly by Hollywood.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Violence is more acceptable than sex, mainly because people (Especially Americans it seems-don't get me wrong, I love America but the place seems to delight in its own idiocy)accept violence as something that can be right. which is the most fucked-up logic but hey, what can you do. I guess that the socialisation of a great part of society has left them with the idea that somehow violence is less odious than sex. if its dangerous/deviant sex then, yeah, okay, its prohibition is understandable but, if were talking 'normal' (as far as there is such a definition) sex then, hell, your child should be (and proboably is) used to it by now, and its far less likely to harm him than, say, karate-kicking people considerably larger than him.

 

[L.B. Jeffries]

The thing that's really fascinating is that unlike violence, which in today's age the people who answered this poll's kid could arguably never encounter in their lifetime (in person, anyhow), sex is an inevitable and natural part of existence. They are, inevitably, going to become interested in hanky panky with whoever they end up being attracted to.

So the question is...why all the concern for something that they're going to get into one way or another anyhow?

 

[MagnetoHydroDynamics]

Now I've got a good excuse for rpogramming a weapon in GarrysMod which says "FUCK" when you fire it (like this "FuckFuckFuckFuckFuckFuckFuckFuckFuck" auto fire)

 

[qbert4ever]

I can't tell if you're attempting to be funny or just trying to defend the findings of the poll by being intentionally obtuse.

Would you prefer I join the throngs of people that comment on the fact that "shock horror" there is yet ANOTHER study that shows American parents dislike sex more then violence? I am sorry if trying to add a little humor to the thread instead of "ZOMG WTF is wrong with Americans violence is soooo much worse the sex!" offended you in some way.

 

[ayoama]

Hmpf, puritans.

 

[nightfish]

The human race is amazing isn't it. After many thousands of years of having sex, humans still talk about it as if its the orginal evil.

If I had to choose one in this poll i'd say offensive language. Simply because I associate multiple swear words with immature developers who decide its 'ultra-cool' to say f**k or c**t in every other sentence.

 

[Yan-Yan]

I, on the other hand, take the practical route of pointing out that sex tends to ruin games, and give excuse to make crap ones. Exhibit A: Playboy: The Mansion.

Perhaps, but I wouldn't find it offensive. Out of place, maybe.

The fact that two men kissing was on there, AND about equal to a severed head, just puzzles me. I get that the reasoning is they don't want their children exposed to it, but even that makes me tilt my head and scratch. WHY are they 'protecting' their kids from seeing homosexuality just as vivaciously as seeing a severed head. I suppose I can take some solace in knowing that they abhor seeing straight sex more then two men kissing. And yet seeing a man and women kiss in a game is so common place, it's just everywhere. Sometimes I wish these kinds of polls had 'comment' boxes, explaining WHY you thought was more offensive, so those who review the polls could look into that if they wanted. It would certainly be more precise then just dead numbers.

I suppose with time (and effort) two men kissing can be just as detested (or in this case, not) as a man and woman kissing.

 

[Drong]

yet again i am dismayed by humanity....now where is that severed head, I wanna give him a kiss