[ucubed]

I'm no expert, but my major is Family, youth, and community science and believe me when i say I've taken a plethora of child development and psychology courses. If that doesn't help you can use me as an example. Every child is different. Every child has a different capacity of learning behaviors. Though studies have shown that violent video games are bad a "influence", it's all about how you treat the child and how you go about things. If he knows his rights and wrongs that you all have taught him there will be no problem in letting him play these video games. Reinforcing good behaviors while he is playing, giving him the opportunity to play do to a reward, stuff like that can reinforce "right" behaviors.

Children eventually watch tv shows, movies, and play video games that have a higher rating than they are allowed, but the caveat is "with adult supervision". I've always watched rated r movies on tv ever since I was younger, I don't know who hasn't seen an R rated movie before they were 18, though I'm 100% positive there are children who are that way. I've started playing video games, from friendly games like Tetris and Pokemon to Unreal Tournament and Grand Theft Auto all by the age of 10 (ended up professionally playin for a while in several games). I was also one of those stereotypical asian children, authoritative parents, not very loving or warm, always doing his homework, straight a's, never missed a class sort of deal, and I also dealt with a together, but very dysfunctional family. The reason why I bring this up is, EVERY child is different no matter what. I know what is right and what is wrong, I know good manners and behaviors from bad ones. I am self taught in every aspect and in my education. Every expert would say that I had very many risk factors into developing into a delinquent, however I would like to point out that I did not. I'm no expert on raising children by any means, but I would like show that what works for one child doesn't work for another.

In summation, based on my experiences and education, it's not a BIG deal that he can play. I know families who sit with their children and play, but don't let them play online. Living in a good environment, healthy familial relationship, and good parenting skills is a much more important in a developing child than a MA+ rated video game. If it bothers you that much, and he does eventually get it, set up some ground rules with the father, everyone must be on the same page about things because mixed parenting skills is also a risk factor for a developing adolescent.

Please do not take my comments in a negative way, I was merely providing some facts and examples of things that I have learned through school and personal experiences. I do not have any children, nor I'm not an expert in child development or psychology, but I do have some knowledge and experience in this area. We live in a much different age then even when I was younger, we barely had the internet. With the internet, things can get much worse, they could be doing much worse with technology today than a video game could. Whatever the decision may be will only hurt for a little while and at that age there will be plenty of other distractions, good luck and God bless.