Blood and gratuitious violence? No problem! Nudity? OH NO!!!

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

Our policy is that when a minor wants to buy an M-rated game, we have to get approval from someone over 17 (not necessarily a parent, though most often that's who it is).

As a general rule, I describe the content of the game, usually saying "It's rated M for intense violence, language and drug use" and also describing some of the specific content of the game if I am aware of it.

The vast majority of parents have no problem buying even a 6 year old the most intense, violent and nasty mature game (in fact I had parents two days ago buying Modern Warfare 2 for a kid who could not have been older than 7) but GOD FORBID it have a scantily clad (or topless/nude) woman in it!

I have seen countless parents who only care whether or not the game has any exposed flesh in it. Who cares how violent and messed up it is? Guts spilling out and brains being splattered against a wall are surely less disturbing and traumatic than a nipple...

I just...don't get it. I really don't.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Once again we see that South Park is not fictitious at all.

[iradney]

I'd rather see the outside of someone's body, than the inside

[Soulstealer]

I'd rather see the outside of someone's body, than the inside

I disagree, but the bodies I want to see are being dissected and aren't a jigsaw puzzle with a level 5 difficulty. That stuff freaks me out.

[r2cagle]

I make my husband turn off some of the nature or history tv shows just because they get to be too graphic for me. Right now the most violent video game we have in the house? MarioKart Wii... Though I am thinking of getting a fishing game.. hmm.

[flutes_and_fabric]

Wow, I literally just had a conversation about this.

On a semi unrelated note, I was just thinking about it, and I can't believe how many times I was sold M rated games with no problem when I was younger. Obviously I had no problem with it then cause I just wanted the game, but now it annoys me that I was able to get it that easily. I'm nice and talkative and a pretty big dork, so I guess the cashiers liked me which was awesome. I remember a time when I definitely looked no older than a tween, and there was this annoying middle aged dude and he was asked for an ID, but I didn't need any. I guess I'm bringing this up because any time a child gets a hold of an inappropriate game, I want to be able to blame it on the parent and not the game company/store. Completely random comment, I know.

[Merriweather]

I have seen countless parents who only care whether or not the game has any exposed flesh in it. Who cares how violent and messed up it is? Guts spilling out and brains being splattered against a wall are surely less disturbing and traumatic than a nipple...

I just...don't get it. I really don't.

I SO am with you. Games, movies, TV - I couldn't believe how many of my daughter's friends when she was 10 or under had seen movies I wouldn't watch myself for the violence. Yet their parents would freak out over a nude statue.

And it does seem to be an American thing. When my daughter was around 12 we moved to the UK for 9 years. There, lots of US games and movies are simply not allowed to be relaesed in the country, due to excessive violence, yet after a specific time (10pm, I think) you can see nuditiy on TV there.

I just felt it a much healthier attitude, IMHO.

[AnaKhouri]

Welcome to America, where the Puritan spirit survives in a horribly twisted fashion. When I worked at Blockbuster all the parents wanted to know about sex, they didn't care how violent a movie was.

[cinema guy]

Though I am thinking of getting a fishing game.. hmm.

Steady on! Those hooks are sharp - your video-fisherperson could get a nasty cut.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Steady on! Those hooks are sharp - your video-fisherperson could get a nasty cut.

Also, he could go commando, get his hook caught on the back of his pants while rearing back to cast, and....

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Also, he could go commando, get his hook caught on the back of his pants while rearing back to cast, and....

Now there's a mental image one doesn't see every day . . .

I'd be interested in hearing Sheldonrs' thoughts on that one . . .

[dalesys]

Now there's a mental image one doesn't see every day . . .

I'd be interested in hearing Sheldonrs' thoughts on that one . . .

Wang worm on the hook?

[CaroPhoenix]

Yeah, when I bought Mr. Rum a used copy of "Darkness" the cashier guy gave me the whole "M is for Mature" spiel. I looked him in the eye and said, "Well, I'm buying it for my 37-year-old husband. Would that be mature enough?" Him and the guy next to him were like, "Naw! Mature? Has to be at least 50." I said I'd tie a handkerchief over my husband's eyes so he wouldn't be scarred for life. Yeah, I'm weird like that.

[r2cagle]

Wang worm on the hook?

Steady on! Those hooks are sharp - your video-fisherperson could get a nasty cut.

Also, he could go commando, get his hook caught on the back of his pants while rearing back to cast, and....

So much for non-violent video games... :::shudder::: I think my imagination just ran screaming for the covers.

[Kristev]

The British aren't afraid of the body. It's a more mature culture, in many ways. Not perfect, far from, but they seem to be a great deal more realistic and sensible than people get in the States. And a lot less about making an open display of religious faith while acting impious.

It makes far more sense to me to ban the excessive violence, if it isn't neccessary, and leave some sexuality in than to leave violence in and forbid sexuality. Most people will never experience a violent crime, thank the Goddess. Few people will remain virgins.