Water Cooler Games - Parents: Sex is Worse than Severed Heads

Parents: Sex is Worse than Severed Heads
July 2, 2008 - by Ian Bogost

USA Today is known for their daily infographics. Yesterday's covered "Video game offenders: What parents say they would find most offensive in a video game." You can see the results at right (click to make it bigger). It's nice that gay smooching just barely edged out "graphically severed human head" in terms of offensiveness, but we should all be relieved to see that heterosexual sex tops both of those by a whopping ten percentage points. Because, man, when I think of things more repulsive and depraved than severed human heads, the first thing that pops into my head is human reproduction. I'm sure you'll agree.

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Comment from DannyLedonne on July 3, 2008

Don't worry, Ian. This is one issue that doesn't really have to do with videogames; the MPAA's classification of films is very similar. Anyone who has attempted honest depictions of human sexuality get handed an R or NC-17 rating while any amount of violence finds its way into PG-13 blockbusters.

I suggest that USA Today release a follow-up poll: "What would you find most offensive in your child's behavior?" I for one would rather my children sever human heads than engage in human reproduction. I'm sure you'll agree.

Comment from George R on July 7, 2008

Ah, but Danny you have to remember that most Americans are cool with the idea of the sword of vengeance, justice is mine, and those ideas.

So even if polled on what they'd rather see their child doing, I wouldn't be shocked if having sex was ranked higher than murder.

That's just a part of the ridiculous culture here.

Comment from tanyaa on September 15, 2008

I wholeheartedly agree, though violence should be used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary. There is a difference between spanking your kids and beating your kids. The former will teach them that what they did was wrong, the latter is more likely to actually make your kid violent.
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Tanyaa
http://www.hookup-tonite.com

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