Critical Argument Analysis

Critical Argument Analysis

Tanica Mosley

ENG/215

July 16, 2013

Critical Argument Analysis

A lot of people say that parents do need help with their children in today's society. With the violence that's going on in the world, some say it should solely fall on the parents on how the raise their children. Video games in this day and time have almost 75% violence and sexual explicit material in it. Many questions have been asked concerning that topic. To what degree does the responsibility for teaching good values to children fall solely on parents? Should some of that responsibility be shared by the state? Or, should those who make and sell the video games say parents alone should be responsible.

Chicago, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is trying to outlaw the sale of excessively violent or sexually explicit video games to children under eighteen years of age. His argument is that raising children is a shared responsibility. Stating that, "Parenting is hard work and the state has a compelling interest in helping parents raise their children to be upstanding men and women. The Governor firmly believes the parents have the primary responsibility for teaching their children right from wrong.

In the opinion of one lobbyist from Illinois, he feels that, retailers can't be held accountable for the lack of oversight by parents. In my personal opinion, I do agree with the retailer's opinion. It is not the retailer's responsibility to make acceptable video games for children of youth. It is the responsibility of the parents to screen what their children watch on television and play on video games. It is the responsibility of the parent to teach their children right from wrong and to separate what's realistic on video games and what is real world reality.

Too many of the video games marketed to our children teach them all the wrong lessons and the wrong values. Blagojevich writes in a "letter to Illinois parents", posted on the stated in the informational website, (www.safegamesIllinois.com), These games use violence, rage, and sexual aggression as play. That is not acceptable. When kids play, they should play like children, not like gangland assassins.