Poll: Age VS Maturity

[More Fun To Compute]

Maturity is very hard to measure while age is easy to measure. Expecting to get things based on your maturity is very, well, immature. Catch 22. Let me have it because I'm so mature, none of those other kids are as mature as me. They all smell, I'm the special one.

 

[bad rider]

Erm, I think underage kids really shouldn't play overage games. Admitidly I think the age ratings are archaic and wrong, but that dosen't mean a twelve year old should be playing gears of war.

 

[Jedamethis]

I've been playing 17+ games since I was 12, it hasn't caused problems, but this is likely because of my maturity.

Only since you were 12?
I've met lots of mature kids who I play with......although that might be because I've killed all the others.

 

[RavingPenguin]

Once you have a way of detecting maturity, go ahead and use it. For now though, I think I'll stick to age. Sure mature kids are cool, but the thing with maturity is that it increases with age, wisdom, and experience. The child constantly screeming expletives in my ear while playinc CoD is not mature enough for the game, but he may be soon as he gains experience in this world. Ruling out those of younger age actively rules out those who are not mature enough to handle it. A parent can still purchase the game for their child if they think they can handle it, however this is not something most parents consider.

 

[Amnestic]

Maturity and age are synonymous.

What?!?
No they aren't.

Some university students go partying every night, some study every night.
The former are immature, the latter mature, yet they are all exactly the same age.

Immature assumption there. Perhaps the partying students are incredibly intelligent who feel no need to study because they master all the material easily? In which case them partying is not a sign of immaturity, but rather one of boredom. Equally, the studying students may be forced to do so against their desires by oppressive, pressuring parents - in which case they have no maturity of their own and are merely acting in deference to a higher authority.

As for why we have age restrictions, it's obvious to anyone with a modicum of brain capacity. There's no easy, simple way to measure Maturity on a numerical scale. Each individual is different and thus - just as with the age of sexual consent, alcohol and smoking - arbitrary lines must be drawn in the sand.

Once someone comes up with a system to measure maturity in an efficent manner in regards to video game, DVD and movie sales, I'll be happy to defer to that, but as of yet not one person has brought one up, shockingly.

I was playing 18's at age 9. I'm now 19, so age restrictions no longer affect me. I've stuck by them since I've been old enough to comprehend them because there is no better system available than age restrictions.

On a personal level, I'd be inclined to judge each case by maturity.

You want to have a psych analysis performed with every single game purchase to judge if you're mature enough to handle the content? Uh, no. That's bordering far too close to censorship, nevermind being a colossal pain in the arse when all I want to do is pop in, grab the latest Devil May Cry game and go home to blow the shit out of some demons.

 

[Jedamethis]

Catch 22. Let me have it because I'm so mature, none of those other kids are as mature as me. They all smell, I'm the special one.

My Mummy says I'm special

 

[MarsProbe]

Maturity and age are synonymous.

What?!?
No they aren't.

Some university students go partying every night, some study every night.
The former are immature, the latter mature, yet they are all exactly the same age.

Hmmm, wouldn't a "mature" student be one that could maintain a balance between studying for their course and also occasionally go out and have a good time? In your example the former will likely miserably fail their course after the first year while the former may well sail through the exams and courseworks but won't have had anywhere near as much fun.

Both extremes seem a rather daft way to sqaunder your time at uni if you ask me.

 

[Daveman]

And I turned out fine... *Twitch*

says guy with manhunt avatar...

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Catch 22. Let me have it because I'm so mature, none of those other kids are as mature as me. They all smell, I'm the special one.

My Mummy says I'm special

I'm special too. That's why mummy and daddy said it was all right if I drank bleach even if the other kids parents wouldn't let them.

 

[Hazy]

And I turned out fine... *Twitch*

says guy with manhunt avatar...

Oh, cheap shot!

 

[Maze1125]

Maturity and age are synonymous.

What?!?
No they aren't.

Some university students go partying every night, some study every night.
The former are immature, the latter mature, yet they are all exactly the same age.

Immature assumption there. Perhaps the partying students are incredibly intelligent who feel no need to study because they master all the material easily? In which case them partying is not a sign of immaturity, but rather one of boredom. Equally, the studying students may be forced to do so against their desires by oppressive, pressuring parents - in which case they have no maturity of their own and are merely acting in deference to a higher authority

That's completely and utterly beside the point.

 

[UnearthedArcana]

It's all about maturity for me. I was a bit of a moron before I was 15 or so, but I have plenty of XBL friends around the age of 14 that play the games competently and speak with maturity.
I have no problem teaming up with these kids that are four or five years younger than me, because they're cool folks and they're likely to get cooler as they 'grow up.'

I can't deny that they're in the minority, though. Pretty much every single CoD4 match I've played has had at least one idiot 'bemoaning his losses', so to speak, and most of the time they sound like their balls haven't dropped yet.

 

[high_castle]

Age is the only way we have to measure maturity right now. You're right in saying not all 16 year olds will have the same emotional and intellectual maturity, but unfortunately just because a handful are ahead of the curve doesn't mean they get an exemption. Not the way society works. Besides, it's really not that long of a wait. And once you pass the age (17, 18, whatever it is these days) or arbitrary maturity, you'll stop thinking about the issue.

 

[wilted_orchid]

I'd say the mostly go hand in hand, sure you might find a mature 13 year old or a childish 30 year old but there usually the exception rather then the norm.

Couldn't've put it better myself.

 

[Ciarang]

Speaking as someone who turned 13 not too long ago I say that mature kids are VERY hard to come by

I would say that I am one of these rare mature 13-year-olds but I have a rather deep voice so that's easier for people to say that I am =P

 

[Maze1125]

And once you pass the age (17, 18, whatever it is these days) or arbitrary maturity, you'll stop thinking about the issue.

I haven't stopped thinking about it.

 

[Jurassic Rob]

I played R rated games when I was underage, and I'm fine (woof)! But then again the most violent game when I was underage, that I can think of was the original Tenchu!

Anyone think of a more violent game than that around that time?

 

[squid5580]

Maturity and age are synonymous. The question doesn't make sense.

I don't think young children should be allowed to use mics in online games, but I have no problem with them playing them.

Let me introduce you to my mother in law (whose child is 29 years old) and then we'll see if you still think they are synonymous.

 

[DrScoobs]

maturity. being a 15 year old guy myself. i try not to come across as a immature prick online because that is only going to reinforce the notion that all kids who play online are shit heads.

 

[syndicated44]

Maturity I guess although that seems pretty rare. I remember my yearly exploration into Halo 3 matchmaking to see if maybe it wasnt horrible. Although I did meet this 15 year old kid on AC4A that ended up being pretty cool we both ended up helping out eachother with mech designs. So yea They are out there just not to many of them.