There has been a lot of hoopla lately about the recent release of the video game, Grand Theft Auto IV (aka, GTA4). Many parents are up in arms over its raunchy themes and the constant bad behaviors displayed by the main characters. Behaviors like killing police officers, drunk driving, doing drugs, frequenting strip clubs and plowing down innocent pedestrians with various stolen cars. Oh yes, and let's not forget the constant stream of
f-bombs and offensive language.

In this recent stir of controversy surrounding GTA4, even Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has had something to say. They've requested the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) to reclassify the game as "Adults Only"; its current rating is Mature. In addition, they've called on publisher Take-Two Interactive and developer Rockstar Games to consider stopping distribution of the game.

I get it, I really do. The game is incredibly irreverent on many levels. How do I know? Because my husband bought the game and has been playing it for the last week.

So yes, I've seen it. I've sat alongside my husband for several hours, watching him play. Both of us periodically find ourselves saying things like, "OMG! I can't believe he just did that! That is sooooo bad!!" in reaction to the antics of the game's characters. And then we shake our heads and laugh.

Personally, I think MADD and all the other parents freaking out about this game need to chill out.

Now hang on a sec before you blast me for saying that! Let me explain my stance.

I think the critical problem here, the thing that parents are losing sight of, is the fact that not all video games are intended for children. Yet somehow many parents seem to think that they are, so they get upset when a game is inappropriate for their children. But you know what? Video games are like movies. Some are for kids, and some are for adults. Plain and simple.

The makers of GTA4 did not create this crazy game for kids. They made it for adults. (And yes, there are a lot of adults that play video games. My hubby and I included.) This is why the game is rated M, which means "mature", which means basically the same thing as an R-rated movie.

And that's what parents need to compare video games to: movies. Video games are not "toys". They are a form of entertainment made for people of every age. Just like movies, you have to use your parental judgment to decide what your kids are allowed to play. Would you plop your 5-year old in front of an R-rated movie? Of course you wouldn't. Neither should you plop them in front of M-rated games.

The ratings are there to help us, the parents. It is our responsibility to pay attention to those ratings and to supervise the games our children play. We need to teach our children to use sound judgment when playing games at a friend's house. We need to foster relationships with the parents of our kids' friends so that everyone is on the same page. And if the other parents don't care and let their 10-year old play M-rated games, then guess what? I guess Johnny doesn't get to go to Davey's house anymore. You are the parent. It's up to you to parent your children, not up to the video game industry to make games you approve of.

As for MADD, I do understand their concerns. The problem here again is that they are losing sight of another important aspect of video games: this is fantasy, it's not real life. Just because I've watched a movie depicting someone driving drunk doesn't mean I'm going to decide to go out and do it myself. I'm an adult and I know the difference between make-believe and real life, between right and wrong. Video games made for adults are no different. If you're offended by the content then don't watch the movie or play the video game.

My husband is one of the sweetest, most level-headed, gentle and responsible people I know. Trust me, I have no worries that after playing GTA4 that he's going to somehow suddenly decide to become a gangster and start driving drunk. He's not. He's going to keep working at Microsoft making video games, and being the wonderful husband (and soon to be father) that I know him to be. And when kiddos finally grace our household, games like GTA4 won't be anywhere to be found.

To familiarize yourself with game ratings, please visit the ERSB website. If you read the descriptions GTA4 is appropriately rated as M. Descriptions of movie ratings can be found on the Motion Picture Association of America website.