Parents & Censors & Bears, Oh my!

[spikegirl7]

Ok, so i'm getting kinda pissed off about this whole thing. What should i start with first? Oh yeah, where it most affects me: TV.

Cable TV, so many choices. i pay, and i get access to all the programming i could ask for. And i enjoy it, blood, violence, sex, drug use and all. 'Cause hey, i'm an adult, i like some of these things. And sometimes it's necessary or a helpful tool to advance a story line. And i like my Adult Swim on CN, they show anime and fun stuff that's not so sugar-coated-kid-friendly that i have to barf like how they edit their daytime anime to be. And it's on at like 10pm-2am, so i don't feel bad when i have massive insomnia, or decide to stay up that late like i sometimes do.

This is all well and dandy, right? Wrong. Along with taking all the violence and sex out of regular tv, now those pesky parents come along trying to ruin my cable experience. Say them: "Cartoons are for children, how can you be showing such vulgar things on a children's network?" Ok, i will repeat the time for those who don't remember it: 10pm to 2 am. What kid is up at that time? If the kids are up that late, you have other problems. Now, fairly, some might be up at 10, but usually AS doesn't start the really bad stuff until around midnight, and the show this woman was complaining about was on at 1am. NO KID should be up that late. Secondly, AS (and all other TV shows) have ratings in the top that tell you if what your kid is watching is appropriate. If you don't wanna moniter everything, get a V-chip. Don't try and remove the program and ruin everyone else's fun because YOU object to it.

Video games next. This is becoming less of an issue because parents are realizing that ADULTS play games too. But still you got those people: "How can you market such violent games? It'll turn our kids into monsters!!!"

May i draw your attention to this video game box. On the front in the corner there is a letter, M, with the word "Mature" underneath it. Now, in their defense, many video game stores aren't really as watchful on who they sell their games to. BUT, the only minors who can get this without SOME help from their parents are those with JOBS and CARS. Meaning: they are 16 or 17 and it doesn't really matter if they play the games. For a 10 year old to get the game the parent has to drive them to the store, and give them the money. If you choose not to go into the store and see what your kid gets that's your own damn fault. If EVEN AFTERWARDS you don't look at the game they get before you drive home, you're even more at fault. So shut up and let me play my game.

Comic books: Are ruined. Parents and censors ruined them. Don't know why? Look up "Comic Book Code" on Google, you'll find out why. The parents and censors made it so main stream comics are EXTREMELY limited. You can't have certain plot lines, you can't explore certain characters, you can't write certain stories. Fringe and independant comics don't follow these rules, and if a comic is translated to film these arcs can be explored (example: dirty cops) but in book form, no. This code probably had a HUGE part in the downfall of comics.

And look at the toy industry. If ONE CHILD does something stupid with the toy while the parents aren't watching (even if the toy is not marketed at that child or their age group) the toy is pulled from the shelf and no other kid gets to use it. How is that fair to all the kids who used the toys as they were intended to be used? Sometimes i think that if a child chewed through the electrical wire of a tv and got shocked, all tvs of that make and model would be recalled. If a kid can't figure out that they shouldn't jam the sharp end of a toy into their ear or nose, that kid shouldn't grow up and breed (with the exception of infants, but babies are usually pretty smart).

Movies are my last one. A lot of parents complained that after seeing Kill Bill their kids were more violent or had nightmares. To these people i have no sympathy. Movies have a VERY clear rating system. Most if not all movies have people who go to them before they open for the general public and then give reviews and/or warnings. Movies are very highly publisized and most times you have an idea of what you're seeing before you go. And movie theaters were on alert not to let any kids in, if you remember this film. If you STILL take your kids to see this movie after all that you have NO RIGHT to complain. Recently i saw The Departed. Steve and i went home and his sister asked "how was it?" We said, "Great, but don't take your daughter, it's really violent." And you know what? SHE DIDN'T!!! *Throws streamers* Yes, the Southern Baptist that is my sister-in-law did NOT make a big deal out of how violent and innappropriate it was, she went and left her kid at home and enjoyed the flick. GOOD ON HER!!! All parents should be like that.

Look, i understand protecting your kids and not wanting them to be exposed to too much, yeah. But don't try to ruin it for the rest of us!!! Really, it's possible for you to MONITER what they're whatching like parents are SUPPOSED TO. Now, on the flip side, their is such a thing as overprotection. i had a friend in High School that was so overprotected that i was worried for her when she went off to college. This girl knew nothing about the world, or what dangers she could face at college, because her parents had protected her to the point where they were nearly smothering her. The only reason they approved of me hanging out with her (with all my wiles) was because i was in both her AP english class and her AP latin class and i helped bring her grades up in both.

anyway, that's my rant. thanks for the vent!!

[Blaze]

Eh... I saw a woman at Target yesterday buying San Andreas for her sons, aged Too Young and WAY Too Young.

If I had been by myself, I'd have said something to her. 'cause you just know she's going to not pay attention, at all, since she's already not. Then one day, she's going to notice, and spearhead a campaign to destroy that kind of stuff, because "Videogames are for children".

And then, once again, we'll have to listen to the newsmedia yell at us for our horrible interests, wank their righteousness all over in the angry mothers' hair, and accomplish nothing.

[Bigity]

I agree. Makers of a product are not responsible for inappropriate use/viewing of said product.

However, you are going a little far. A kid toy made for infants with a pointy part is stupid, and should not be in stores, etc.

And the Comic Code is really old. It was also a self-imposed thing to keep comics as an industry in business. Not exactly the same as trying to send people to jail for playing GTA games.

[spikegirl7]

note what i said: even if it's not marketed at that child or their age group. i don't advocate selling sharp things to infants.

and thank you for the clarification on the CBC, i know it's still in effect (and yes, i know it's old) but i was under the impression that it was mandated to all Comic Book publishers.

[Bigity]

Nah, they did it voluntarily. Some comics don't follow it, and they won't have the mark of the Comic Code like the others.

However, they did impose it on themselves because of pressure to avoid 'adult' stories, such as violent crimes, horror-themes, etc.

[spikegirl7]

thanx for the clarification then. always learning!!!

and Blaze, as to the GTA buying posted above, all i can say is that when the time comes that the woman tries, i'll pull you forward as a witness to say that she bought it herself and the rating was not hidden in any way. They can take away our dignity but they can never take away our gaming!!!

[LQDMTL]

These are things you'll need to learn to live with. Why? Because it's your job to care for their children. That's right. Society, as a whole, is responsible for each individual child's behavior and well being. The parent is not at fault and cannot be held responsible for irresponsibly raising their own children. This is fact. This shall not change.

</sarcasm & contempt>

[spikegirl7]

for those who are interested, the Comic Book Code:

http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6543/

[Gowerlypuff]

Re: GTA. I will forever be an advocate for the BBFC's classification, making it ILLEGAL, like buying alcohol for those under 21, to buy a game for someone rated under than the age rating of the game.

[Skorpion]

Videogames and cartoons are NOT for children. They are for teenagers and young adults; children simply don't appreciate anything.

Prosecute the idiots that buy rated games for the children, just like I'm threatened with jail time for buying booze for 16 year olds.

[StruckingFuggle]

Prosecute the idiots that buy rated games for the children, just like I'm threatened with jail time for buying booze for 16 year olds.

You're kidding, right? Not only is it not against the law to give someone a game they're under the rating for, such a law would be absurd, unncessary, and uncalled for.

[wocket]

Fuggle, scroll up. Gowerly just said it was in the UK.

[StruckingFuggle]

Oh, oops. Missed that.

Wow, what an asinine law.

"Oh no! A fifteen year old is playing GTA! Fine his parents! Send them to jail! Run for the HILLS!" .... riiiight.

Edit: It should be the child's decision. Failing that, it should at least be the parents' decision. It certainly shouldn't be the joint decision of the government and whatever silly and stupid committe is convened to determine where something fits into some limited and idiotic rubric.

[Deacon]

Besides, not all parents agree with the ratings. A parent can take their child into an R-rated movie, can't they? Why could they not buy their kid an M-rated game? I mean, hell, HL2 is rated "M for Mature" but I would have no problem with my kid playing it.

[BtEO]

Some clarifications on UK law regarding different types of age-restricted products. Some, or indeed (though I hope not) all of my facts may be slightly or totally wrong.

Cigarettes:
It is illegal to smoke under the age of 16, by extension is is also illegal to buy cigarettes if you are under that age. Buying cigarettes for someone, even if you are acting as their guardian, leaves you aiding someone in breaking the law, itself a crime.

Alcohol:
It is illegal to buy or attempt to buy alcohol if you are under the age of 18. It is illegal to drink alcohol in a public place if you are under the age of 16, those between 16-18 are entitled to a drink (I believe at least wine and beer qualify) alongside a meal in a restaurant, naturally they cannot be the person purchasing said drink.
In private settings, i.e. the home the minimum legal age for alcohol consumption is 5 (five)[1]. Again, alcohol must have been purchased by an adult. I expect negligence laws would be used against parents or guardians allowing children free access to alcohol however.
It may or may not be illegal to do so, but attempting to purchase alcohol for anyone under the age of 18 when you are not their guardian will be blocked at any reputable licensed premises (regardless of whether that license includes drinking on the premises or not).

Video Games & DVDs:
It is illegal to sell age restricted products to anyone under that age unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian (in this case it is usually company policy to state very clearly to the adult that they are buying something that may not be suitable for their children, but complete the sale if they wish). I think the law in this case only covers the selling side, were I to for example, sell an 18 rated DVD to a 15 year old I could be hit with a £5000 fine and get a criminal record (in the worst case i.e. they were clearly nowhere near valid age and I made no attempt to verify their age).

I suspect as with games and DVDs, selling cigarettes and alcohol to underage people comes with penalties on the sale side too, but I am less certain on those, and so will not speculate beyond this sentence.

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[1] This is the one fact I'm least sure about.