14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this week, a poll was run on behalf of New Jersey's The Star-Ledger on its Parental Guidance blog. Parents were asked to think about the Wii's upcoming gun-like remote controller, which better enables their offspring to play shooters: "What do you think about making a wand in the shape of a weapon so play is more realistic? Is it harmful? Will you buy one for your kids?"
Prepare yourselves for the answers many parents (and grandparents as well) are just dying to give when faced with this sort of questions (via megagames.com):
LilMissJenny: "I've been trying to keep weapons of any kind away from my son because he knows what they are for." Weapons... right! Moving on, this time, a Grandparent: "Nintendo ought to be fined for introducing to 4-9 years old kids a 'toy' that promotes guns. The next thing you know they will include an application to the NRA in the game."
A reader asks (rhetorically, we presume): "What kind of message are we sending as parents when we buy these things for our kids?" Yesuree Bob, now there's your state-of-the-art parent right there!
But if you're not able to actually TELL your kid what this world is all about, in a way that they'll understand that it's not just soap bubbles and honey, then sure, keep them in a cave, away from the TV and Internet and they'll grow up to be... like you! Didn't you know that the Internet and video games can potentially enrich your kid's knowledge and abilities quite a lot, if the kid is advised to watch and play what he/she is supposed to for his/her age and gender? I hope it's clear that I'm not referring to anyone in particular here (none of the quoted persons above anyway).
More than that, the fact that you're scared your offspring will become a criminal just because of a plastic gun says you don't have much confidence in yourself as a parent to begin with. As such, comments regarding external factors influencing your kid are practically worthless, so do everyone a favor, stick with your beliefs and shut up! Of course, I could be very wrong since I'm not a parent, so then my comments could very well be worthless. Take it any way you like - I'm just passing on the story adding a little salt and pepper.
Anyway, according to the same website, "very few readers adopted a more balanced stance. An unnamed Wii fan asked 'those people out there who believe that a gun-shaped remote will turn every kid that touches one into a homicidal maniac' not to ruin the fun for 'Wii-playing adults who can handle the reality'." He added that he "grew up with toy guns and also shot a rifle in the sixth grade and never killed anyone....If you don't think it's a good idea, then please, feel free to exercise your right to protest by not purchasing the product."
Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm sure you feel like saying a few as well (given that you too might have used Nintendo's old Zapper when playing Duck Hunt), so by all means, do fill up a few lines within the comments column below.
Oh, one more thing (Columbo style): what do you terrified parents out there think about the Guitar Hero controllers? Aren't you afraid your kids will want to form their own rock band and start doing drugs and stuff?