And, because I see a lot of people yelling about 'bad parenting', let's look at something real quick: You are a 30-40 something mother...you've grown up Christian, abhor violence and with no concept of why violence is fun for children today. That's a lot to try and visualize, I know, but if you can at least imagine you're a non-violent woman you're getting somewhere.
Now think of society today. A 16 year old kid can come home with a gun in his hand, get punched by his terrified father and then sue his parents. Teenagers are emotional, angsty and (particularly in boys)competitive and full of aggression. This is true of all nationalities, from all time (generally speaking). It's not big news that two 16 year olds beat the crap out of each other over a girl, it's typical to the age. It's not a surprise that the girl has been manipulating both of them into doing just that, it's a part of growing up (again, generally speaking). Parents are protective, restrictive and loving...three traits that a growing young man does not fully understand or appreciate, especially in front of his friends. It is -very- easy for a young man(or woman) to simply SPEAK violently at his parents to make them feel distanced, unwanted and alienated from their child. Now grant him the knowledge that domestic violence is against the law . . . all he has to do is SAY his parents are abusing him and it will cost them a lot of time, money and trouble.
Now, you try taking that console away from him. You love him, he's your son, you're afraid for him because you don't understand why he enjoys such virtual violence. You don't understand that kids grow up today understanding the difference between virtual and real with increasingly realistic looking media. You don't realize that virtual violence can often times be a source of aggressive relief, rather than cause. All you see is your little boy locking himself away with that thing, but last time you brought it up he yelled and scared you. He might do something ridiculous or drastic if you just up and take it away. So what do you do? You find someone who you think he has more respect for than you. And then you go cry because your child has zero respect for you.
I'm not saying she did the best thing. She's a wimpy mother, who let's her son get away with what he wants because she's scared. She called the cops for something that is not an emergency. I'm also not agreeing with the mass media saying 'VIOLENT GAMER AR TERRIBUL', and I think that kid is a punk ***** who should respect his mom. I just think things need a bit of balance before they're healthy. Parenting is tough, it should not be taken lightly, and today's society is a very difficult environment to raise kids in, particularly with both parents working. Our media is wrought with violence and gore, but we have ratings for a reason.
Okay, that wasn't quick at all...but like I said, I think about this a lot. XD
