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A battle has been raging for many years over whether young people and computer games are a good mix.

My husband and I owned arcades and placed video and arcade games in various establishments in the 1970's and 1980's. Prior to that time my husband worked for his sister and brother-in-law in the arcade and pool hall business. City fathers, landlords, and parents fought the business every inch of the way. When people at our church would ask what we did for a living, we always hesitated to tell them.

Young people loved playing the pinball machines and especially those first video games. We would have competitions for the highest score and the winner would always win a prize. These kids were the ones that did not fit into the "slots" that society had for young people at the time. Most of them were fine young people trying to find out where they fit. Now, some thirty years later, some of those same young people have contacted us and shared with us how it was a highlight of their youth to come to the arcade and "hang out." My husband always ran a place that did not tolerate swearing, drugs, drinking, etc.

The gaming industry has seen many changes over the last thirty years but there are still those who are vehemently opposed to "gaming." The method is a little different. We are not limited to just pinball, video games, penny arcade machines, etc.

At the present time, the market has expanded into every area of life. One can play games on their cell phone, hand-held gaming system, television gaming systems, and games on the computer. Gaming systems are moving toward even being physically active while playing. Some gaming systems promote activities like dancing and sports. You can practice at home in the privacy of your living room before you get out in front of others. Senior citizens can play a simulated bowling game even if they don't have the strength to pick up a bowling ball.

Computer games can be played individually or they can be played as a group. Many young people like to play computer games because they are competing against themselves or other people in a way that can be anonymous. Anonymity is the player's choice. If their gaming character fails, they don't have people in their face confirming that they didn't measure up. They can choose to try a different game or retry the game they have played previously. It is a safe place for working at something without criticism. In a world where competition is so great in schools and in the workplace, it is nice to slip

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