I couldn't agree more. I belong to the 'Baby Boomer' generation, but it also has another name. The 'Me' generation. A lot of good things came from that era, especially in the civil rights movement. But it wasn't all good. A decline in religious belief and values, acceptance of drug use, and an unbelievable push for consumerism happiness have marked our present lifestyles for the worse. And then there's the whole self-realization and self-fulfillment drive that has had a lasting and for the most part negative affect on society. I can remember when you were not cool unless you were seeing a shrink. And social responsibility be dammed. As long as 'I'm OK'. I read that piece of crap once and it took me a long time to get over it.

I hate to say it, but the long term effects of the 'Me' generation are coming to roost in a big way. Human dysfunction is rampant. To many parents refuse to take responsibility for their children because their parents did not. To many children live in a self centred bubble that they have no grasp of the real world and all its dangers and trials.

I'm not blaming any one person or group because I think there is enough blame to spread around. I've made mistakes.

Guns. Where I live, gun crime is rare and I thank God for that. I don't know anyone who owns a hand gun or an assault rifle. I've never fired one and the last time I fired a rifle it was a single shot .22 and I was a teenager shooting crows on my Uncles farm. But I will tell you with certainty that if the conditions warranted it I would have them and I would know how to use them. And I would make sure my wife and family members did to.

Enough rambling. It's a beautiful Sunday morning here. Fresh fall of snow and clear blue sky. Wife's going to church with her sister. This cranky old guy's gonna listen to some music....Allman Brothers Band maybe...

My response to the fact that "Games and movies desensitize" is, what ever happened to parenting. That is my belief whole heartedly. I grew up in this generation, I watched my fair share of gory movies and played all of the gory games growing up. I was picked on early on in school and even bullied. I have had access to firearms my whole life, yet I did not go and shoot anybody. Why? Because my parents put their foot down and raised me as their CHILD not their FRIEND which seems to be all too common anymore. When I screwed up, I knew it because I got a (pardon my french) ass whooping. I was taught early on that movies and games and books are NOT real life and that real life is played by different rules. In the end, it always comes down to the parenting (Or whoever the guardian figure is).

I agree Casey. However, ass whoopings today get you restraining orders. Parenting today is much different. However, crimes of horrible nature perpetrated by kids happened years ago. The method might have been different but the result the same. Some folks did not carry out the crime until adulthood but found their childhood was a direct contributor to the action. Games, movie and books can provide suggestions and ideas.

BTW, movies today go beyond morbid. In my day Jaws was scary and rated R. Today Jaws would be PG. Today's movies like Saw are beyond twisted. If you don't think so then you are desensitized.

Well the principle however is we need to get parenting back to where it was, have parents be able to put the fear of God in their children. I messed up something once, then I learned, the belt isnt too kind on the rear :shifty:

I do agree that the movies today and the violence is over the top in everything (along with the glamorization of stars and sex and drugs) but I still think it all comes back to the parents because they are the foundation. If you have a good foundation, you have something sturdy to build on.

Absolutely it comes back to parenting. My kids will not see Saw in my house. When they can afford their own place then they can watch Saw. So, again, I agree. Kids need limits. Kids need direction. As you said, be a parent and not a friend. Later on as they age and are on their own the parenting turns more towards a friendship.

Jaws was never rated R. It had a PG rating in 1975, in contrast with the PG-13 rating that is generally assigned today.

PG 13 was not available as a rating. R rating may have been to harsh for the movie. It does not belay the fact my folks refused to let me see it. It brings us back to parenting.

I don't know what you think is wrong with this generation but remember before you complain about it that those your mostly YOUR KIDS.


:o

Take it easy with the belt you might get shot.

Mine was a wooden spoon or a swift kick to my arse.

But it does kind of throw a wrench into the degradation narrative. I think a lot of these types of comments are simply another case of pining for a idyllic golden age that never existed. Violence permiated media then, just as it does today.

But the answer is more god guns and domestic abuse.
I think they need to cut down on the exposure to violence and gore, I recon a return to bareknuckle boxing in the town square or maybe some good ol public lynchings with a side order of badgerbaiting and cock fighting should return the kids to more traditional entertainment and give them better traditional values.

Wow, facepalm time.

I don't have kids yet, Im still young (21), Im just saying, when things were gearing toward the softer side of parenting, I got whipped when ever I screwed up (This is on top of reinforcement of things like movies books and games are not real life) and you better believe it took me one time each to learn not to do that again.

??

I am no psychologist, but I'm pretty sure that increased childhood beatings will not reduce the number of adults with mental health issues.

Well, did I miss something, have you been ironic or sarcastic whith this sentence?
If not, I don´t really know what to say and all I can do is facepalm because this is so wrong... :nope: