Are you making the assertion that a video game is the same as graphic video of real humans?Originally Posted by David
Believe it or not, most people (including young children) understand the difference between reality and fiction.
The people who don't understand the difference are the sociopaths.
FTFY. Sociopaths understand the distinction intellectually, it just doesn't matter to them. It's sort of a loaded term, at any rate.
This.
My daughter (5) understands very clearly the difference between the violence in a batman cartoon, and violence in real life. Very clearly.
Nobody is impressed by what you can't do. -THJ
I made no assertion, I asked a question. I would argue that children are not always able to understand a difference between reality and fiction. In-fact many sane adults are unable to distinguish the two. Graphic violence is not defined by reality or fictitiousness, it is defined by an act, be it real or fake.
Just as a real beheading would be improper for a child to view so would a simulated one. Both would be equally disturbing to the child, a disturbing episode is processed differently in children than adults. You would play practical jokes on adults which you would not play on a child.
You can make a child believe with all their heart in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. If it were not possible to convince a child of the reality of Santa then why do so many adults waste their time trying? Why do those who lie to their child about Santa get upset if someone finally explains to them it's a lie?
On Combat and On Killing are mandatory reading for anyone involved in firearms training as a trainer or serious student. Regardless if you ultimately agree with, or reject some or all of his ideas the process of studying his ideas will lead to insight.
Some of the things I took away from "On Killing".
The fight, flight, posture, submit graph is great as a way to explain peoples response to a threat.
The stuff about people being reluctant to kill is interesting...it certainly makes a strong case as to why people, in defiance of everything that seems like common sense freeze up in crisis situations.
I think it's very well worth reading.
Incorrect.
Question: would the "graphic violence" of a, say, classic Bugs Bunny or Tom and Jerry cartoon also be inapproprate?
Would you leave your child alone in a room with a loaded gun within their reach? If they are able to distinguish real from play then surely you would have no issue in doing just that.
Last edited by David; 03-26-2011 at 09:26 PM. Reason: Replied with quote when it was intended to be a general reply. So, I removed the quote.
Well you certainly showed me.
No I don't believe it is. Violence carried out in a comedic fashion, by animated characters is easily distinguished from real life violent encounters, even by small children...at least in my experience.
Surely my daughter knows the difference between Elmer Fudd emptying his side by side at Donald Duck, and the shoot out in "Heat".
ETA: I also believe there to be differing levels of violence appropriate for different age groups. I wouldn't sit and watch Heat with my daughter. I would sit and watch Bugs Bunny. This brings up another point- parental involvement has a huge impact, IMHO, how violence is perceived and processed by a child. If I'm there to explain to the child what she is seeing is make believe, just a movie, etc., that's going to make a difference.
Last edited by JDM; 03-26-2011 at 08:27 PM.
Nobody is impressed by what you can't do. -THJ
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