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October 08, 2005
Topic for Discussion - Games that Teach Sex?
Broaching the subject of sex with your child for the first time is one of those things that's always been difficult for parents. (Birds? Bees? Someone clearly isn't trying hard enough here.)
Historically, there have been ways for a particularly squeamish parent to "outsource" this knowledge transfer. There are pillow books, ancient sex manuals that could be given to the kid for study. There are places where you can rent a professional to introduce the kid through hands on experience (don't look at me like that, there were certain times and cultures where this was the norm). Nowadays there's sex ed in public school.
But kids today play games, and in fact they probably spend more time playing games than they do reading. So it would seem fairly obvious for there to be tasteful, curiosity-satiating, educational games about sex and sexuality, aimed at teens (or specifically, parents of teens who need a little help in bringing up the topic).
The technology for this has existed for the past 10 years, at least. So why hasn't this sort of software been out there for that long (or if it has, why isn't it more ingrained in our culture by now)?
For once, I don't think the answer is "puritan values" -- it's specifically these values of "thou shalt not mention sex" that such a game would be directly addressing! So why the cultural vacuum?
Posted by IanSchreiber at October 8, 2005 09:37 AM | Discuss this post on our forums
Comments
Ummmm, it seems to me that such a game wouldn't *address* the values of "thou shalt not mention sex", so much as come directly into *conflict* with them.
...I can just imagine the screaming tabloid headlines and inevitable moral panic, at least here in .uk.
Posted by: SKapusniak at October 8, 2005 09:56 AM
Well, luckily there is a serious sex game company that makes exactly the kind of games Ian is talking about: ISER Games. Interactive Sex Education Resources are powerful tools that educators and parents can use to teach not only the basics of sex but to pass on ethical and even spiritual values to young people. We're currently developing two titles: The Sex Ed Game and Sex Can Wait (the former will be available in an early demo to anyone who is interested at the FuturePlay conference- email me or contact us at www.isergames.com for more information). :)
Posted by: kellyrued at October 9, 2005 10:03 PM