Several weeks ago, I wrote articles about how video games are good for you. But one New York Post writer would disagree. In fact, Kyle Smith we’re losing this generation of men to video games. So you decide. Video Games: friend or foe?
Kyle Smith argues that young men substitute video games for life in the real world. He also brings statistics to try and prove his point. For example, he claims men in their twenties work 15% less than they did in the 1990s and early 2000s. Furthermore, he talks of how more twenty-something men live with their parents than ever before, and more young men drop out of the work force. You guessed it; he blames video game addiction. But look at other factors: workplace bullying, wealth inequality, longer times in traffic, higher rent costs, more people working at home, jobs sent overseas, jobs being replaced by robots. I don’t think video games are a factor in this crises.
Then he goes for the relationship factor. According to Smith, video game addicts will hit their 40s with little or no accomplishments. He says women rarely date or marry men who are less successful than them. So that’s going to mess up the dating and marriage scene. Also, that will drive the birth rate even lower because men and women don’t even want to touch each other. But then again, when video games are their only reason for living, many young men won’t even care. In countries like Japan, they even have robots who fulfill those needs. Then again, there are many other factors at play here. Millenials grew up in a generation where 50% of marriages end in divorce. I can see why young guys today aren’t so eager to leap into marriage, monogamous relationships, or family life.
Smith has a point about video game addiction. If video games affect your work, family, social life, then maybe it’s time to stop. And if the fantasy world is keeping you sedated from the real world, then maybe it’s time to stop. But other than that, I stand by my articles I wrote weeks ago. Video games, when played moderately, can actually enhance people’s life. I truly believe video games, when played together, can bring friendship. It can also hone skills like listening and problem solving and paying close attention to detail. These skills are especially needed in the workplace today, especially in the IT support industry. Video games, when played moderately, can even help increase grades in school. But what do you think? Video games: friend or foe?