Fun and Games

Fun and Games

Why are we creating a generation of square eyed anti-social individuals?

New Zealand board game publisher, Matt Taylor, says "The disturbingly high school drop out rate, the alarmingly high youth suicide rate, and our appallingly high drug and violent crime rate is attributable to a clear failure in the way many children are being raised in the modern world. Parents who encourage their loved ones to play board games, are less likely to see them become a risk to themselves and society."

Many teens today are coming out of education systems, Taylor says "lacking life skills, and they are not getting the guidance they need from their parents. These teens spend much of their day on solitary pursuits, such as playing electronic games on their computers, play stations and mobile phones."

Taylor says, "many of these games provide a grossly distorted view on reality and encourage impressionable youth to adopt negative attitudes." Taylor fears that we're spawning a generation of square eyed anti-social individuals. A post-Columbine generation that prefer destructive and escapist fantasies, where achievement is measured in terms of ‘wasting’ people - the more people destroyed, the greater the reward.

Taylor firmly advocates board games like BreakScore (www.breakscore.com) as an excellent means to get teens, particularly those showing early signs introversion, to re-engage in a positive fashion. "Parents must do more with their teens, monitor their behavior and ensure there is balance in the recreational activities that they pursue."

Taylor says " Not only are board games ideal for parents wanting to improve family relationships, they also help teens to increase academic and social achievement."

Taylor says, "Parents who encourage their children to play board games, are less likely to see them become a risk to themselves and society. They will be better adjusted, and better able to deal with stressful situations that the real world inevitably throws up. Families that play together, bond better."

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