kayholder (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} kayholder) wrote in ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} worldofwarcraft,@ 2007-07-15 14:12:00 |
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Parents and Warcraft
Nothing was said to me in this community, but I wanted to rant somewhere.
Every time I see a story about a parent who plays WoW, who then neglected their child, it makes my community filter flare up with "You people shouldn't play games like that if you have a child!" in various parenting communities. I'm so sick of it.
This is the latest story that has my friends list in a tizzy.
Nev. Couple Blame Internet for Neglect
By Associated Press
3 hours ago
RENO, Nev. - A couple who authorities say were so obsessed with the Internet and video games that they left their babies starving and suffering other health problems have pleaded guilty to child neglect.
The children of Michael and Iana Straw, a boy age 22 months and a girl age 11 months, were severely malnourished and near death last month when doctors saw them after social workers took them to a hospital, authorities said. Both children are doing well and gaining weight in foster care, prosecutor Kelli Ann Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Michael Straw, 25, and Iana Straw, 23, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts each of child neglect. Each faces a maximum 12-year prison sentence.
Viloria said the Reno couple were too distracted by online video games, mainly the fantasy role-playing "Dungeons & Dragons" series, to give their children proper care.
"They had food; they just chose not to give it to their kids because they were too busy playing video games," Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Police said hospital staff had to shave the head of the girl because her hair was matted with cat urine. The 10-pound girl also had a mouth infection, dry skin and severe dehydration.
Her brother had to be treated for starvation and a genital infection. His lack of muscle development caused him difficulty in walking, investigators said.
The Straws have been given public defenders. Jeremy Bosler, head of the county public defender's office, declined to comment to The Associated Press on Saturday.
Michael Straw is an unemployed cashier, and his wife worked for a temporary staffing agency doing warehouse work, according to court records. He received a $50,000 inheritance that he spent on computer equipment and a large plasma television, authorities said.
While child abuse because of drug addiction is common, abuse rooted in video game addiction is rare, Viloria said.
Last month, experts at an American Medical Association meeting backed away from a proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder, saying it had to be studied further. Some said the issue is like alcoholism, while others said there was no concrete evidence it's a psychological disease.
Patrick Killen, spokesman for Nevada Child Abuse Prevention, said video game addiction's correlation to child abuse is "a new spin on an old problem."
"As we become more technologically advanced, there's more distractions," Killen said. "It's easy for someone to get addicted to something and neglect their children. Whether it's video games or meth, it's a serious issue, and (we) need to become more aware of it."
I fail to understand how something other people do makes ME a bad parent.
I play Wow. its no secret. But I spend time outside with my child every day. I play with my child every day. My son is fed 3 meals a day, and 2 snacks. My child is bathed, healthy and happy. My son was breastfed. My son co-sleeps with us. I carried my son around in a sling, my son has never cried himself to sleep. (I'm not saying those things make you a bad parent, I'm just an AP parent) My son will happily play by himself for long stretches at a time, and any time he comes to me or his father for attention, its there.
If I spend a few hours on and off throughout the day playing and I can fully take care of my child, why cant others?
Sure, I didn't hit level 70 in a month like most people. it took me a year or so. Sure, my game might be up most of the day, but 75% of the time I'm afk from it, and when i come back Ive been logged off for inactivity. I don't raid because I HAVE A SMALL CHILD. its not fair to him. There is a fair compromise.
Why is that I have to be told I shouldn't play WoW if I have children because someone else has a problem? I'm so fucking sick of it.
Do any of you other parents catch shit for playing?
Edited for spelling and punctuation.
Nothing was said to me in this community, but I wanted to rant somewhere.
Every time I see a story about a parent who plays WoW, who then neglected their child, it makes my community filter flare up with "You people shouldn't play games like that if you have a child!" in various parenting communities. I'm so sick of it.
This is the latest story that has my friends list in a tizzy.
Nev. Couple Blame Internet for Neglect
By Associated Press
3 hours ago
RENO, Nev. - A couple who authorities say were so obsessed with the Internet and video games that they left their babies starving and suffering other health problems have pleaded guilty to child neglect.
The children of Michael and Iana Straw, a boy age 22 months and a girl age 11 months, were severely malnourished and near death last month when doctors saw them after social workers took them to a hospital, authorities said. Both children are doing well and gaining weight in foster care, prosecutor Kelli Ann Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Michael Straw, 25, and Iana Straw, 23, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts each of child neglect. Each faces a maximum 12-year prison sentence.
Viloria said the Reno couple were too distracted by online video games, mainly the fantasy role-playing "Dungeons & Dragons" series, to give their children proper care.
"They had food; they just chose not to give it to their kids because they were too busy playing video games," Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Police said hospital staff had to shave the head of the girl because her hair was matted with cat urine. The 10-pound girl also had a mouth infection, dry skin and severe dehydration.
Her brother had to be treated for starvation and a genital infection. His lack of muscle development caused him difficulty in walking, investigators said.
The Straws have been given public defenders. Jeremy Bosler, head of the county public defender's office, declined to comment to The Associated Press on Saturday.
Michael Straw is an unemployed cashier, and his wife worked for a temporary staffing agency doing warehouse work, according to court records. He received a $50,000 inheritance that he spent on computer equipment and a large plasma television, authorities said.
While child abuse because of drug addiction is common, abuse rooted in video game addiction is rare, Viloria said.
Last month, experts at an American Medical Association meeting backed away from a proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder, saying it had to be studied further. Some said the issue is like alcoholism, while others said there was no concrete evidence it's a psychological disease.
Patrick Killen, spokesman for Nevada Child Abuse Prevention, said video game addiction's correlation to child abuse is "a new spin on an old problem."
"As we become more technologically advanced, there's more distractions," Killen said. "It's easy for someone to get addicted to something and neglect their children. Whether it's video games or meth, it's a serious issue, and (we) need to become more aware of it."
I fail to understand how something other people do makes ME a bad parent.
I play Wow. its no secret. But I spend time outside with my child every day. I play with my child every day. My son is fed 3 meals a day, and 2 snacks. My child is bathed, healthy and happy. My son was breastfed. My son co-sleeps with us. I carried my son around in a sling, my son has never cried himself to sleep. (I'm not saying those things make you a bad parent, I'm just an AP parent) My son will happily play by himself for long stretches at a time, and any time he comes to me or his father for attention, its there.
If I spend a few hours on and off throughout the day playing and I can fully take care of my child, why cant others?
Sure, I didn't hit level 70 in a month like most people. it took me a year or so. Sure, my game might be up most of the day, but 75% of the time I'm afk from it, and when i come back Ive been logged off for inactivity. I don't raid because I HAVE A SMALL CHILD. its not fair to him. There is a fair compromise.
Why is that I have to be told I shouldn't play WoW if I have children because someone else has a problem? I'm so fucking sick of it.
Do any of you other parents catch shit for playing?
Edited for spelling and punctuation.
