So, in your narrow little view of the world the ideal men are violent drunkard football hooligans who watch braindead television and can't effectively pursue the opposite sex, while successful intelligent men who happen to relax playing a video game are juvenile. Fine, you can have your viewpoint, just don't think for a minute that us gamers care - we're too busy enjoying some relaxing entertainment, guys and girls alike.

Nazlfrag Pope, Perth, Australia

I am 29 and a computer programmer by trade. I have many choices as to what i could do in my off hours. I could watch TV/Movie, passively staring at a screen for hours while a story I have no part in while my brain rots. I could go to the local pub and down a few brews, but alas with a family history of alcoholisms I tend to closely watch my intake of said frosty beverages. I could call up my friends to hang out, but unfortunately I tend to work late hours during the week thus can't bother them. So what does this leave me? Video games an activity that can burn those couple of hours between getting home and going to bed. An activity which I can be intellectually challenged as well as entertained. This must mean I am a social outcast. A friendly geek who hate all others. I must be immature and perhaps self loathing. However for me video games are a week night activity, for on the weekend I hang out with my old college buddies play paintball. Video games and normal life coexist.

James Stine, Nashville,

"This is just another example of journalism misunderstanding culture. Why should an adult play amateur football, or get "Amusingly drunk" rather than play a few Gears of War matches with friends. Just because people play games does not make them immature, and I think that this article is overly stereotypical about the "Gamer" demographic."-Howard Rees, London,

Soooo correct. Because of people like this journalist, people who work in the video game field are labeled as "immature" and people do not look upon them with very much respect. It gets pretty stupid sometimes. "Oh, you just make video games."- O RLY I'd like to see you try seriously. Sheesh...

William Bobson, Fremont, US/CA

Women watch Big Brother, The Real World, Desperate Housewives, etc. every week, taking up possibly 2 hours of every day, and sometimes more. I don't persecute them for their hobbies.

That's the same amount of time men spent on their hobbies in ages past, whether they be drinking, playing poker, or whatever their hobbies might have been. I think it's a great thing that men are playing video games. This isn't some recession from social life, as most of them play their games with friends, or possibly even with females. I rather enjoy playing a few rounds of the old N64 favorites (Mariokart, Diddy Kong Racing, Super Smash Brothers) with my girlfriend.

As for the men staying in their homes and never getting married, I think that's completely mistaken. Nearly all of my friends, who happen to be gamers, have a healthy relationship.

I'm not going to smash your opinion, we're all entitled to our own, but please don't offend me by writing it as if it's some fact.

Ed, Macon, US

This is just another example of journalism misunderstanding culture. Why should an adult play amateur football, or get "Amusingly drunk" rather than play a few Gears of War matches with friends. Just because people play games does not make them immature, and I think that this article is overly stereotypical about the "Gamer" demographic.

Howard Rees, London,

youre view on this subject is absolutely wrong im 15 im doing work that people do in year 11 and 12 i do all my coursework have lots of freinds and oh my god i play on my xbox a lot of the time

kye davies, rhondda, wales

I actually hope this article is a joke and not written from a serious point of view. If it's serious then I find this extremely sad and pathetic- so what if grown men like to play video games? So what if they're games involving shooting or violence; it doesn't mean that every man wants to go out and kill people. Do we really have to go back to the "oh my god it's violence and look one person disjointed from reality went out and shot someone so they have to be evil" road? Come on get with the times. I'm a female and both me and my husband to be play on our 360's- you know what: with a huge mortgage to pay this stops us going out and spending money on things we don't need or can't necessarily afford. And no this doesn't mean that we're spending lots of money on games instead- you can download demos for free, trade in old games and we actually only tend to play one MMORPG anyway. Get with the present and the hobbies that people actually enjoy instead of your stoneage views.

Astounded, UK,

Like It's any of your business what grown men do in their own time, grow up.

Ryan Jiannis, Adelaide,

So we men like to play video-games. And you're saying you women don't buy a 1,000 dollar hand bag exclusevely for two letters imprinted on it?
Maybe that's women's form of escapism. It's not a toy, but it's much more expensive.
Also, you accuse video-games as absorbing people into fantasy. Well, books, TV, the Internet and others also absorb you to a different world. I'd bet anything you have been sucked in by a good book, or magazine article, or whatever. They too make you escape the real world, and they aren't condemned, are they?
And not all gamers play in a state of near coma, drooling and only exercising their thumbs, despite what the media tells you. Have you ever played Wii? Now that's a family friendly console, and my own mom plays it, and she had never touched a video game in her entire life.
So if you're going to condemn video games, condemn books, TV, music, magazines, the Internet and everything that's fun. Would the world be a better place without them? I doubt it.

Max, Houston, Texas

I wonder what alternative Kate Muir has in mind for modern man to vent all the instincts of aggression and conquest that are out of place in a peaceful modern society.

The story before 'The Dark Ages' in the Times magazine was a photo story about Chechen separatists who in 2004 took 1200 schoolchildren hostage. The situation ended with 334 civilians killed.
The photos show Russian military and civilian men risking their lives to save and protect children and women.
This was obviously a situation where things like aggression, conquest, daring and muscle played a key part.
Ms Muir writes that "...the British and Americans want to lead a life like an endless episode of Friends." Given what is happening in countries where aggression and conquest run free, is it any wonder?

Gavin Webb, High Wycombe, UK

The willingness to fight and the instincts of conquest and aggression are part of the male psychology. They cannot just be switched off because society demands it.
If the male psyche must be neutered by society, then do not complain if those elements of behaviour are acted out in the virtual world rather than the physical.
If you are "...a woman with a ticking biological clock, waiting for someone - anyone - to grow up..." then ask yourself what kind of man you actually want.
The fighting men (and women) of the world are not playing games. They have definitely grown up, through trials of fire that most of us in the western world are lucky to never have to
experience.
Ms Muir writes, "I assumed that after adolescence, young men put away childish things and played amateur football, got amusingly drunk, instigated punch-ups, watched Big Brother or ineffectually pursued women."
Well I have to ask Ms Muir, which do you prefer?

Gavin Webb, High Wycombe, UK

Personally, I don't play that many games and do not own a gaming console. I do medieval reenactment with real sword fighting, I sing in a band and I'm studying the making and
restoration of furniture.
Sorry, but I won't be playing amateur football, instigating punch ups or watching Big Brother to reinforce your view of what men used to be. I won't be sitting playing games for hours either, but I know a lot of people who do and I know I'd rather they kill online monsters than fight each other in the streets.

Gavin Webb, High Wycombe, UK

Escapism doesn't just come from videogames; books, film and music provide the same feelings of power in an imaginary world that can be more preferable to everyday life. Now just think if men all liked books, film, music and videogames they definitely wouldn't have time to impregnate any female biological time-bombs.

Simon, Newcastle, England

As usual an ill informed media muppet takes pot shots at something she knows nothing about.

Lets have a look at the other side of the argument, what passes for entertainment on the TV these days is nothing short of televised abortions, Alan Partidge's desperate scraping of a barrel made for an audience that will happily lap up the shit the BBc or ITV slaps in front of them

If it's On Ice or has a few of the usual desperate neverweres still holding out for recognition for sweet FA the Beeb and the ITVwill slap it on at prime time. You want that as entertainment, knock yourself out, I'll stick to using my brain with my DS or crashing cars, invading ROME or fragging the odd Zombie.

What I will not do is sit in front of the Worlds Greatest Fucking Elvis on a channel that is supposed to be the bastion of entertainment for the whole world.

Julian Carax, Plymouth, UK

I'm 18 and I've been playing games since I was a little kid. I can assure you that games are not all kids' stuff, unless you would really hand Manhunt (a game I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole) to your teenage child. On the other hand, my mother, who's approaching her 50's, plays World of Warcraft more than I do. She also served 20 years in the military and currently works as government-employed civilian staff at a navy hospital. She raised me, I think, better than most parents would have on her own, and I hardly think she's yet to "grow up."

All I can really say is that your sweeping dismissal of a hobby that encompasses as much variety in content as television, movies, and books (to say nothing of demographics young and old, male and female, of all races, religions, or what have you) is narrow-minded, to say the least.

Alex, Beaufort, SC

First off, perpetual adolescence is not, by any stretch of the imagination, limited to men. Nor do I believe it is even more prominent among men. It's a problem throughout the industrialized world. If it's not more prominent among men, it certainly can't be linked to Gears of War.

Part of the problem is defining adolescence. Women seem to think that clubbing is somehow more mature than playing Video games. How? Exercise? That's reasonable, but I don't think you can just redefine maturity as always incorporating something productive into your entertainment. I think maturity has a lot more to do with selflessness and responsibility than the productivity of one's entertainment. If this is the measure, I find just as many immature women as men.

As for ticking biological clocks, I suspect you have it backwards: that people are having fewer children these days mostly because women want fewer children, not because men are playing video games.

Nathan, Stanford, CA

Every single thing you say is so wrong that it actually hurt my left leg slightly to read this article.

Craig, Edinburgh,

My wife and I both play video games apart from each other, with each other, and with our kids. It's one more way to entertain ourselves when it's too nasty to go outside. Video games aren't that much unlike movies, TV, or music as a form of entertainment. People can fritter their lives away with any form of entertainment. I know many couples and singles who have put off kids because they just enjoy getting out and doing things outside.

It's not a tragedy to put off having kids if you're not ready. The biggest tragedy is having kids before you're ready and watching as they are abused and neglected by overwhelmed parents who aren't mentally ready to put forth a commitment to their kids.

My wife and I had kids in our early 20's, but we were ready to put aside our hobbies and invest most of our free time to our kids. But I know people who aren't ready for that and am thankful they haven't given in to their biological clocks. When they're ready, their kids will thank them.

Chuck, Oxford, MA

Oh poor Kate Muir. Poor, poor Kate. What's wrong? did your vision of the future not work out? Did your plan to free the world with pot and free love fail?

I'm so sorry.

You want it all, but you can't have it.

You got your equality, you got your social freedom but guess what... so did we.

We are no longer willing to settle down with any women that comes along just to satisfy your biological clocks and to live the 2.4 children lifestyle.

It's a 2 way door. What we want counts too.

Welcome to our glorious future.

Annoymous, London,

I'm not going to comment on the author's ramblings, but I will mention a study that might, in some small way, give a little insight into why men seem to be a little more inclined to like video games than women.

There's been a new study out, (it's late so I'm not going to go looking for it), that shows that men's brains are wired to get more of a sense of accomplishment from the victories achieved in games. That's why men like to win at just about any form of competition, their brain gives them more of a sense of reward for doing so.

Women on the other hand, get a sense of accomplishment from other things. I'm not going to generalize by saying they get that feeling from shopping, but I'm sure it comes from material goods and personal relationships.

Maybe if women weren't so critical about how men spend their time and stop trying to control them, maybe more men would want to get married. Is it shocking that men would rather have freedom and be happy than to be told how to live?

Paul Harder, Dayton, Texas

We live in an amazing age for civil liberty when interracial marriage is accepted. Empowered women are the norm. And men can make their own life choices that don't involve being chained down to support a family they aren't ready for in a soul-killing job that destroys their health before they're 40.

These men you describe appear professional, hard working, and successful in every respect. The whole of your complaints appear to be that they do not have families, and that they involve themselves in hobbies that you, perhaps alone, consider childish. Do you find their independence threatening? Are you innocent of self indulgent behaviour? Please consider the motivation behind your malice and contempt for a moment.

You declare this independence and enjoyment of free time to be symptoms of a 'dark age'. I am sorry to hear that. Perhaps you were born in the wrong century.

Thank you for your time.

Ryan, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

If you didn't already know, the phrase "games are for children" is so worn out today. Why you can't have fun at all ages?

I am 25 years old male and I find gaming very relaxing and definitely equal to watching movies or TV. A game with a good plot and brilliant atmosphere can be much deeper experience than a good movie. Try yourself!

However, if you play way too much (say 10h/day), there's no doubt it can hurt your relationships and perhaps even your job. One hour per day is enough for me :-)

Pauli, Mikkeli, Finland

I'm 24 and slightly offended by your narrow minded ignorant views....

it sound's to me as though your hubby has just got a 360 and isn't giving you the special attention you crave... maybe you should make a bit more effort

Mat M, Salisbury, Wiltshire

"At my work last week, two intelligent, thirty something suited ladies - they were managers - were talking about the evening of soaps and how one woman shouted at another, then went on to how many more shoes they bought for no reason than to sit in a wardrobe and gather dust... "

I think you need some new material, antiquated women not understanding the game medium is getting rather boring now... :P

Chris, Northwich,

We have all lost touch.
The "hardcore" gamers don't see it as an addiction, but rather just a "hobbie". I'm not addicted to crack, or alcohol, or smoking, or sex, or spending money, or videogames... no, they're all just things I do in my spare time. I can quit and start a family when ever I want.
I work in a game store, and see these "child men" everyday.
It's truly pathetic!

Geoff, London,

"I assumed that, after adolescence, young men put away childish things and played amateur football, got amusingly drunk, instigated punch-ups, watched Big Brother or ineffectually pursued women. Yet here were men holding down serious careers by day, but infantalised by night in a virtual world."

I don't see how these things are any more or less mature than video games. Swapping Big Brother for XBox, (the entirety of the Big Brother viewing population with which I associate is female) these are the ways adolescent males tend to spend their time. Being one, I would know. Your point is lost on us, and it seems that you are merely capitalizing on the notion that "the internet hath no fury as a gamer scorned" in order to generate controversy and publicity for yourself.

Ryan McCabe, Hamilton,

Hey Kate,

Tell me what your hobbies are and I'll write you an equivalent article about why what you do is an immature waste of time.

Thanks.
-B

Bob G, Atlanta, GA

were not putting off our relationships or hiding away in our rooms all of our lives hoplessly lost in our games, me for one still go out and jet ski swim andmany other things, and my girlfriend plays games with me and understands that i enjoy them, and id rather play a game with a deep plot and great action then getting my banged up playing things like football. games arent just for fun they increase congnitive function reaction time and many other things.

evan, zephyr cove,

I mean no personal offence to the writer but this article reads like it was written by somebody waking up from a long coma and not understanding the world around them. And even worse for a journalist, not making the slightest effort to understand it.

Games have moved on. They've become sophisticated, and as worthy as any other form of entertainment. They're played by people of all ages and all genders. Whereas the article does makes some interesting points about gender, they're sadly completely lost by the journalist's complete lack of undrestanding.

Whereas this article may have had some validity in 1991, some simple research should have been done by the writer. Its not like games a small hard to research industry these days.

Katy, Preston,

I'm a 29 year old woman, and I play games on a regular basis. My 35 year old husband also plays. Over the past 5 years we have gone on regular gaming "dates", we have friends whom we game with, and overall we've saved WAY more money the past few years as gamers than as the "normal" people described in this article. We have life plans that include our careers, children, homemaking, and other familial obligations. But right now, we are managing our time to include active gaming, while planning for the future like any other normal adult.

This article appears to just perpetuate the idea that geeks, nerds, or "gamer" types are anti-social, childish or immature. Sorry folks, that's not the way it is. Even grandma can play the Nintendo Wii (and get some excellent cardio-vascular excercise while she's at it). Like it or not, video games are now part of "popular culture". Just like the telephone and television, methinks they are here to stay!

Svea, Plano, Texas, USA

Articles like this have been popping up all over the internet over the last couple of weeks. They're full of WRONG assumptions and pretty much offensive generalisations. Games have moved on. We're no longer living in the 70's. Games are now for EVERYONE. I'm 22 years old and I grew up with video games - it's a form of entertainment that I've been very interested in for years. Now I may be a "geek", according to the woman who wrote this artcle, but games often tell amazing stories, and the deeper level of actually controlling the main character or characters draws you into the story more, and drives you to see how it turns out.

It's as someone craving entertainment, craving something visual, craving a good story, where I get my kicks from games. They act as a piece of artwork, a book and a movie when they're at their highest quality. And you can't tell me that only kids are allowed to gain that high level of entertainment, because then what really IS the point in growing up?

Adrian, Coventry, UK

Among other things your argument ignores the important fact that a large proportion of gamers are women. Are they regressing into childlike fantasies as well?

Games may originally have been for children all those decades ago, but many have matured with their audience and there's no reason anymore to label every game a child's toy, your assertion that they are is absurd.

Jason, Loughborough,

I can't believe I wasted 5 minutes of my life reading that rubbish, though, entertaining.

Balin, Manhattan, NY

Is it just me or do I detect a not-so-thin layer of superiority covering the entire article. I'm not adverse to the drift of the article. Putting forth the idea that the modern-day man plays with himself too much (pun not intended but I do appreciate the humour), is a valid concern. However the tone of the article implies that the author either by virtue of her womanhood or her vastly superior intellect is somehow above such juvenile pursuits.

When the original Atari 2600 came out I purchased one and there has never been a time since that the household hasn't had at least one console in it. My son owns all 3 current systems and every so often I'll sit down and play "Bioshock" or "Ratchet and Clank" to while away the hours.

I don't smoke, I don't drink and I don't cheat on my wife. Over our entire 28 years of marriage I have never been voluntarily separated from her for more than a few hours. If you think that my comments have a tone of superiority it's because I feel I've earned it.

E. Gordon Howe, Victoria, Canada

When somebody can adequately describe the difference between reading, watching a movie and playing a decent videogame like bioshock or Lost Odyssey I would appreciate it. Computer games are a form of escapism as much as any movie or horrendously written bestseller books. At least Civ4 teaches people something. What does any amount of Big Brother/James Patterson/Blockbuster movies teach anyone? People sneer at the most bizarre things.

J, Bournemouth,

Get the dishes done, woman! I'm drinking at the pub.
From when have women the time to think and write articles?

Or get yourself yet another pair of shoes, you shoppping addict. That's very mature.

Bob, Austin, Texas

It's a bad thing that an adult male still likes to play video games?

Well forget my very biased 38 years old male gamer opinion, and let's read what my wife has to say about:
" I prefer him playing video games at home with our children than out wasting money and risking health in alcohol, tobacco or prostitutes.
Yes my husband doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, doesn't "hire" sex, when he goes out, almost all the time is with me and the kids, so It's a marvel to have a video gamer husband that his first priority is the welfare of his children than a "regular" husband that spends the food and school money on his vices. "

There you go I've been a gamer almost all my life, and I'm proud of it, I've learned a lot from games, geography (Where in The World is Carmen Sandiego), History (WW II Games, Civilization II) even this the English language that I'm using right now writing this piece is the result of my need to understand the text in video games and a more and more knowledge.

Pablo, Managua, Nicaragua

"I assumed that, after adolescence, young men put away childish things and played amateur football, got amusingly drunk, instigated punch-ups, watched Big Brother or ineffectually pursued women."

Uhmm... is it just me, or does that sound far far less mature than playing three hours of video games a day? & seriously, three hours a day is an addiction?! Seriously?

I don't know why so many people are so threatened by interactive media. Gamers work their brains the entire time they're playing, as opposed to tv which requires no upper level intellegence to watch.

William, Longwood, US

It not only men that play video games. I know more girls that play games then guys.

The staying single thing is good for the environment and humankind in general. We are already over populating the planet. More of us is just going to kill us faster. Slowing down our reproduction will lessen food demand and lessen the production of green house gases from stuff that we do.

If what you say about how gamers are all single and not interested in anything else, then isn't it better? Then why not make everyone gamer? Then there wouldn't be wars, rapes, murder, or anything bad. And if what you say is true, then wouldn't games be a great population controlling device?

Gary, Bowling Green,

Well I got news for you. Though like a few of the others here said Men aren't the only adult gamers around - Women do so too, here's one big tidbit you should check out - Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II is now herself a gamer, hogging her grandson Prince William's Nintendo Wii. See this link: http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=make-way-for-the-q-wii-n%26method=full%26objectid=20276099%26siteid=93463-name_page.html

Sailor Enlil, Rizal, Philippines

If your attack is on men who don't grow up, then please don't make video games a scapegoat for this.

I can tell you very simply there are many men and women in the gaming industry, who are very mature, and definitely moreso than you. Writers of these games are definitely more clever writers than those of you favourite soaps, and a lot more entertaining.

You clearly don't know what you are talking about, and I would wait a few years and see where gaming is then. I bet you it will be a bigger industry than the movie industry.

And most (even non-radical) feminists, have this habit of moaning about completely irrelevant points. You are one. Shut up, and watch your soap opera, and listen while us men don't moan about it making your expectations unrealistic of men.

Kyle, Surrey, UK

I wish I had more time for gaming. mrs jem seems to find time to watch every episode of corrie and eastenders. I would call that escapism, but quite how you get away from nosy neighbours, petty squabbles and life by watching other people's nosy neighbours, petty squabbles, etc... it's just badly acted and depressing in the main. hey, maybe that's what is wrong with women? then again, she gets her escape watching desperate housewives, sex & the city... hold on, I'm making women out to be time-wasting morons here. sorry, that wasn't my intention at all. you can see my lara croft and raise me jesse metcalfe.

I have three daughters, too. getting their nintendos out of their hands is a bit like trying to get charlton heston's gun out of his hand. ie - only when there'sa cold dead battery. they can always watch high school musical whilst the ds charges.

just thank god we're not all playing sudoku. that really is a waste of time. along with writing stupid articles like this.

jem, london, uk

... why do women allllwayss try to kill guys about growing up and not playing playing video games.....We dont tell you to not shop do we ... thats right now go make your husband some dinner like a good wife should

jo schmo, dallas, TEXAS

38 year old single working mom. Between me and my lil gamer in the making we own xbox, xbox 360, gameboy advance, Nintendo DS and a WII. My first console was Intellivision in 1981. I pay the mortgage, he gets good grades and we both kick virtual butt

Dot, Toronto, Canada

I'm 31, work on wall street, and play games on my 50" plasma. It's an incredible escape and allows me to release tension from work. I still manage to go to the gym, have a relaxed social life, and do other things a normal person does.




By the way, forget Gears of War. Try Call of Duty 4 on the PC.

Al Frick, New York, NY

What a myopic view of humanity and its need for escape in any form, including nature, or say poorly written but well reviewed feminist novels. I am having a hard time supporting free speech after this article.

John, New York, USA, NY

I can understand where this concern occurs, as I am an avid gamer, sometimes playing 16+ hours in a row, however, video games are a cheap and reliable source of entertainment.

So, our made up situation is here. Guy A (Bob), likes to go out with his friends almost every night. Meanwhile, Guy B (Fred), hangs out with his friends on Xbox LIVE (AKA XBL). Over a month, Bob goes to the bar, out clubbing, to movies, and other random acts to entertain himself. Figure all this costs, oh, $500, which sounds like a reasonable entertainment budget. Now Fred, stays at home every night and plays on XBL, he ends up spending $5 a month for XBL and maybe some more to buy a new game or something new for his Xbox.

Basically, I'm saying that gaming is a cheap and effective for of entertainment. And, as I KNOW someone will say, "well their not social," XBL allows the exchange of comments among people.

I hope this changes all the opinions of the wives and moms out there about video games.

Thanks

Shelby, Papillion, Nebraska

I'm married and both my wife and I enjoy gaming as hobby. We are both employed in successful careers and building a life achieving all the conventional norms such as owning a house, 2 vehicles and having children. We also actively travel the world and spend time with friends in social environs.
I won't condemn the author of this editorial because she represents a demographic that gaming doesn't appeal to. There will always be a market that certain products and mediums will not appeal to. The author has written this piece in a manner which makes it obvious that she neither enjoys or understands the culture, technology or immersion one gets from participa this hobby.
So to those attacking the author; please consider what I've just said. You wouldn't listen to a commentary on sports from someone that's never played or understood them would you? You wouldn't respect the opinion of someone regarding international politics that can't be bothered reading about it would you? As simple as that.

Steve, Toronto, Canada

If you have the free time to write a article to attack a community just
to justify your way of acting and feel that the immense happiness and joy
that gamers experiment will some how drive them in to a bad ending life.

Please just let us be, maybe you can get a hobby with all that free time
you have... perhaps video games.

My 2 cents.

Hector, Shizouka, Japan

Ignorance overwhelming

art, McAllen,

What an ignorant article! I do hope you read these comments, Kate Muir, and realize the errors you have made. Gaming is a harmless hobby that many people - men, women, adults, kids, white, colored, gay, straight, etc. - play. Games are no longer just for kids. The gaming world has changed in the recent years - I suggest you do the same.

Try picking up a Nintendo Wii, buy some multiplayer games, and invite a few friends over. You might have more fun than you think.

Joan, NY,

I'm not a gamer, preferring to read a good book or meet up with friends (some of whom greatly enjoy gaming) to relax, but as others have pointed out, with an embarrassing number of supposedly mature females enjoying adolescent pap like Sex and the City, magazines that a chimp would find insultingly dumbed down (show me an intelligent women's magazine, please) and listing 'shopping for shoes/clothes' as an enjoyable activity for grown ups, the words pot, kettle and black spring to mind.
There is a need for some interesting and insightful articles to be written about contemporary (male AND female) adults' increasing infantilisation, most especially in the 'developed' world, if only to provoke thought and debate on the subject, but this wasn't one of them. Please could the commissioning editor get Bryan Appleyard, Germaine Greer or another writer with a formidable and original mind to tackle the subject in some depth with more research than talking to family members next time.

Ruth , Glasgow, Scotland

another frustrated women who knows nothing of the hobby or the lifestyle. Men are criticized for generalizing all women as pieces of meat, yet women generalize all men as worthless game playing slobs. I also love how she asks her sons 10 and 13 about their takes on gaming fathers. Way to get that in depth research LOL. I guess what's good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander. By the way I'm 29 with 2 kids, a wife, a full time job, and a dog. I check homework, I walk the dog, and on certain days I cook for my family. Gasp! I must be a freak of nature. News flash lady it's a new era and men are'nt sitting in the living room watching their wives knit sweaters, the kids play with top spinners, and seeing old spot knaw on a bone. Most men have a hobby I suggest you get your 1920's mentality out the box and get a hobby yourself.

chris M., Charlotte, NC

My wife laughs whenever I show her these articles by women bemoaning men playing video games on their 360s and PS3s.

She then asks me to please tell her if she ever starts turning into the stereotypical female and gives me flack for doing something I (we) enjoy. You see the fact is that we are both in our 30s and LOVE to play video games! She has her own PS3 and Wii.

My wife despises television and the garbage airing these days. Mention Desperate Housewives or American Idol and watch her gnash her teeth. Also the very thought of sitting around with the "girls" and gossiping about who is wearing what or who had the latest work crisis makes her cringe.

As far as we are concerned, there is no difference if we are sitting on the couch playing games or watching the latest episode of Lost...both are a waste of time but at least ONE of them has you actually thinking and reasoning things out or improving your hand/eye coordination.

Ladies, please step out of the dark ages.

Craig, Atlanta, GA/USA

You got the same "experts" that Lawrence Cooper listened to at Fox News, didn't you.

Whita, Norfolk, Va

So you have a problem that man are playing video games! Here are my thoughts on this!
#1: Women play video games all th time. More and more females are starting to enjoy video games with their Nintendo DS and all the other consoles! Its called a "hobby" for crying out loud. And i do think its better to buy games than going out to buy drugs or booze!

#2: Why are you criticizing me and all the other gamers out there? You are the one who spends all your time in front of a laptop or pc writing about other people. I guess you spend most of your day in front of a pc screen right? Well that is an obsession too by what you are saying!

#3: And last but not least games are fun. People nowadays are so anxious about their work and their personal life that in the end of the day they are so tired they cant even lift their finger or go out to have fun. So when they stay home they enjoy a good game. Thats hardly immature.

And you know what? I will just go play with my Nintendo Wii! Bye bye!

Nikiforos Pavlides , Nicosia, Cyrpus

"I am a 29-year-old, married, working, game playing woman. Where do I fit in this equation?

Paula, Finland, "

She doesn't take into account the almost infinite array of variables that collectively produce the gaming populace at large. Her biological clock is ticking, remember, she wants young men (since women apparently don't play games) to "grow up," i.e. have babies as this seems to be the only purpose to this or any woman's life as per her assertion. Two to three hours a day, those are rather modest figure if you ask me. I've been know to play for days on end, when I'm not a way at college that is; that goes for many of my friends as well and we all manage to go to work, play basketball during our lunch break, after work and on weekends as well as still playing games for up to eight or more hours in one sitting. Miraculously we manage to do all of this and more without too much effort.

Omar, Humble, Texas

Your title is accurate... your viewpoint is from the Dark Ages. Both men and women, successful and not, married and not, of all ages and colors, are enjoying video games. How many hours in a day does the average person spend parked in front of a TV? In fact, how much time do people spend on their hobbies in general?

Oh, and how many of these hobbies can parents do with their children? Gaming is leading the way towards a family that games together, because parents will be playing these games with their children. And for those who would rather spend their lives single, hitting bars and playing video games? That's their choice. There are plenty of other men out there for your "ticking biological clock."

As a female gamer engaged to a male gamer, I can tell you that we aren't stuck in some "teen" state, at least no more than anyone else is who has a hobby they enjoy. It's you who needs to grow up and stop judging people because they know how to have fun.

Rebecca, Dallas, TX,

It seems to me that the tone of the article isn't about video games specifically, but about games in general. i.e., video games are simply one form of "game". So, how does the author label some "games" as childish and other games as "mature"? If adults sit at a table and play a game of Monopoly... or Scrabble... or Yahtzee... are they being childish? Do they need to grow up already? How about a game of poker?

I would be very interested in knowing what the author thinks men SHOULD be doing. If a man is married and has children he can be attentive to his wife, and attentive to his children, and attentive to his responsibilities, but at some point, people need to make time for themselves to relax. Sit down and read a book, if that is relaxing to you. Watch TV. Listen to music. Or, yes, play video games. What makes video games, in particular, the activity that is automatically considered "childish", especially with all of the mature content found in video games these days?

StareClips.com, Monterey, CA (USA)

""I assumed that, after adolescence, young men put away childish things and played amateur football, got amusingly drunk, instigated punch-ups, watched Big Brother or ineffectually pursued women.""

Because getting drunk, getting into fights, spending hours in front of a TV or chasing girls is so much more mature and grown up?

Carena, Greenville, USA

And once more, just as Ms. Hymowitz did, you neglect one important point.

WOMEN PLAY THESE GAMES, TOO.

So. What does that make us? Are we trapped in immaturity, as Ms. Hymowitz claims men are? Are we retreating into a world where traditional masculinity is valued because chick lit is bloody boring?

Or are these games simply fun?

Chris, Columbus, USA

It's funny how you jump all over this concept as if it's an atrocity. You think video games prevent men from becoming ideal mates for women. Which is more desirable to a woman: a guy who does something harmless like play games at home with or without friends which sport graphics and gameplay elements that are advanced and a far cry from the "Super Mario" type games you're thinking about versus a guy who engages in drunken revelry w friends and potentially lands himself in bed with another woman, maybe ending a relationship? It's beyond me how women can go shopping for hours buying clothes, trinkets, and shoes that they may never wear, if anything once. I interviewed at Oschner medical center for IM residency and was given a tour. They had in the residents lounge: a 360 with guitar hero among other games. They noted the female residents also play and are pretty good. Games today go beyond the button mashing, mind numbing activity that you assume.

John, New Orleans, USA / Louisiana

I am a 29-year-old, married, working, game playing woman. Where do I fit in this equation?

Paula, Finland,

Ah this is the famous "Female Double Standard" comeing into play again, and woman believe this is a mans world? what a laugh, ok men might judge woman by looks more, thats human nature.

Woman judge everything even our hobbies now? Its just getting out of hand, this article just shows some major insecurity I cant beleive you are actually a journalist for Times, articles like this spread nonsense.

I'm just outright disgusted, I get sick and tired of having to justify my hobby to woman who instantly say "you should get a life instead of playing games" .........

Woman got equal rights and THEN SOME! although I'm young I can already see that everything I do can only be right if its pleasing a woman, no thanks, we have as many needs as you, we exists to reproduce YES, but not just to satisfy your needs.

Pro Gamer, Oxford, UK

“Are fathers playing these games alone, without their offspring as an excuse?” I asked. “Yes,” they said. “They buy them for their kids, then play them themselves.”

I buy them for myself, my wife doesnt see the point of gaming but never says anything about it as she knows its a way for me to let of steam after a long days work ( normally 10hrs +).

you need to wake up to a changing world because this is the FUTURE ;)

Ste D, Dalton, England

More cliched sexist drivel from a "womens" magazine. This man-bashing by brainless feminists is getting quite tiresome. I find it interesting how she only focuses on male "immaturity", and chooses to ignore the prolonged adolescence promoted as a virtue by women living the "Sex And The City" lifestyle.

A.D. , Oxford , UK

Yet again another member of the media stereotyping something they simply know little or nothing about. I'm a 27 year old gamer, with a full time professional job. I'm a devoted boyfriend with plans of marriage, I have a healthy social life and circle of friends, and I'm active in my church. If I want to sit down and play a video game with my leisure time rather than vegging on Reality TV where's the harm? Am I less mature for playing a game like Assassin's Creed, Gears of War, or Guitar Hero than someone is for watching a group of strangers run an obstacle course on a "deserted" island?

And, for your information, my girlfriend enjoys gaming as much as I do. When she's not working on her graduate degree and I'm not out earning a living, we enjoy sitting down together to play games. I guess that makes both of us equivalent to large aquatic marine mammals.

Michael Melilli, Placentia, CA

Gaming is a hobby. I am not sure why playing video games is any different than say, running, gardening, bowling, scrap-booking... I once had a girlfriend who spent hours upon hours scrap-booking, which to a man, looks like the most useless activity in the world. She loved it and it made her happy, which made me happy.

True be told, most men would rather spend their free time getting laid, but gaming would be a close second (OK, distant second).

Dalton, Toronto, Canada

Really, its not worth getting worked up about - everythings ok in moderation.

I find it totally, unutterably mindnumbing (although I have never tried the Wii, which does look more fun) but I don't begrudge somebody doing something harmless that they find fun.

I agree that nearly 3 hours a DAY is a heck of a lot, as it would be for watching television but I suspect & hope that that figure has been skewed by some serious addicts!

I do object to Grand Theft Auto, which I find dubious. I have no idea about gears of war although the title sounds pretty self explanatory! (I guess its aimed at men so is bound to be a pretty simple concept...).

Victoria, London, UK

How did the 'two intelligent thirtysomething suited guys' manage to tear themselves away from their xboxes long enough to attend Kates 'college evening class'?

Jimmy 5, Manchester, UK

I play computer games, I am 37, I am also female.
Oh dear, better shoot myself now eh?

Or, as a better alternative, I could just say please don't patronise those guys who, like me, can have a professional job, friends, social life AND enjoy a good escape into a riveting game.


:)

wonderwoman, Leeds, UK

What a passive agressive woman this writer is! Instead of going out and buying an X-box and then inviting her male friends over for a night of game playing with her, she stands on the sidelines and complains that her biological clock is ticking down and that men should do something about this by living to her specifications.
Grow up and join in the fun! The only thing worse than men playing games by themselves is the fact that women are so damned superior that they won't do anything with the men but call them little boys, and then stand off and complain.
Where's the little girl in this woman? If she's so grown up that she can't squat down in the sand pile and have a good time with the boys, then no wonder she's left at home all alone at night. She's no damn fun to be around, and evidently, no one is around to play with her.

Lee, Virginia, USA

I am a woman... I have a university degree.... I have a fiancee.. I am a well adjusted human being with an active social life... I have a full time job... and god forbid I am a gamer!!! (shock horror)

Modern life is hard...we all face massive social pressures...both men and women are expected to hold down a wonderful career, be a great parent, be stunning to look at, be able to cook a feast, have a wonderful home, have an active social life, please your partner in the bedroom such like and so forth... and be happy about it... it is impossible to manage all of these pressures at once and sometimes we need to blow off some steam....

I would rather do that by gaming than by watching or reading mindless drivvle that only serves to exacerbate the pressures I am trying to escape from.

Does this make me a manatee like woman-teen?

I embrace my inner geek...perhaps you would be happier if you did too.

Bex, Bath, Britain

I've got a game you would like, Kate. It's called "Everybody Listen to Me". On each level you just talk into the microphone, or headset about yourself and how wonderful you are, and a series of realistically rendered men will nod, smile and make appreciative sighs every few sentences.

Out soon .....

Chris, Felixstowe,

First off, you know nothing of gaming yet criticise it for ill-concieved reasons. Gamers have Lives, Jobs, Girlfriends ect. Gaming is a hobby and you Insult our hobby by saying Its Immature but think getting amusingly drunk, Watching Big brother and getting into punch up's is not?. If you got to know a gamer you would know we are far more intelligent than these fools you think are "Normal".

If you think they are the only Mature games then you are Wrong, Most games are very mature and have no Sex and violence which may upset you seeing as you like punch up's.

You say its sad, But if anything Is sad Its your own gender, Reading those silly Gossip magazine's, We play games to boast confidence..um no we play for fun. But what about all these girls getting breast implants now, Its your gender that is insecure not us all of them wanting to be wags and media whores ect, Im a gamer and I'm proud of it.

Like the title states "Dark ages" that is what your living in.

Anthony, Birmingham, England

" Man-teens sitting before their kiddy consoles like huge manatees. "

I could say that when watching a movie/TV show you sit like a vegetable on the couch rotting your brain away.

I've been gaming for 19 year, mainly PC, and it is, in my opinion, a better form of entertainment.

Does that make me less mature than someone watchin TV or reading a book? There are the same elements that you find in movies (story, sound, music, picture) plus one more (interactivity).

Gaming has shaped me into what i am and into what i will become. Because of gaming i now know more about computers, programming, 3D mdelling, etc. than anyone else that i know. Because of gaming i can spot the smallest of details when no one sees them. And because of gaming i can think of more abstract solutions.

But say what you want and continue vegetating in front of the TV.
Oh, and by the way... i'm 22.

aritdan, Galati,

Interesting dinosaur-like position, Kate.

If this had been a patronising ill-informed assault on a majority female pasttime from a male journalist I imagine you'd be awash with misogyny accusations.

I only ever play games (in the box room of the flat I share with my lawyer girlfriend) when I exile myself to silently think less of her while she watches: any cooking/property programme going, Celebrity Come Dancing, Celebrity Ice Dancing Rubbish, Big Brother and any other showcases of social / celebrity detritus. My gaming is simply killing time and saving an argument over low-brow television, nothing more sinister than that.

Would be interested to know your favourite hobby, Kate. In all probability I'd expect that I won't know a lot about it, won't understand it, won't want to understand it and will look down on it - and therefore you. We're actually quite similar.

Bentley, London,

Life balance. Whole idea is that you work and play and thus have a happier life. How each person plays/relaxes/unwinds is surely a personal choice and no more relevant than what job you do.

Getting the balance right between the 2, now that would have been worth writing about.

Steve, Perth, Scotland

I fail to see what the problem is.

Someone sitting in front of a screen for hours on end in the evening.. Isn't this exactly what has gone on in homes since the invention of the TV?

So it is fine for someone to sit there in a vegetative state, with drool running down their chin while they watch such mindless dross as Coronation Street, Eastenders, X-Factor or any number of utterly pointless reality TV shows that serve up nothing of any use other than to prove that people are living such mundane lives that they would rather watch other people living their lives. Rather than have a conversation, the TV generation today would prefer to watch Big Brother and see two people they don't know having a conversation.

While those playing consoles are actually doing something while staring at their screens, keeping their eyes, mind, and hand/eye co-ordination focussed, also if online they are quite often chatting to friends about the days events.

Which is worse?

Jonathan, Basildon, Essex

I'm tempted to try and justify the playing of games as equivalent to any form of cultural interest, be it reading, going to the theater, playing chess or meeting with friends. I suspect it would probably be worthless. What intrigues me is what exactly you believe men should be doing with their leisure time? Watching Strictly Come Dancing? Pursuing a myth of eternal youth of fretting over the size of their behind? Sorry, that's the forte of the fairer sex.
So, should we abdicate from our successful careers and cater to your imagined alternative, of getting amusingly drunk, fighting and failing to meet women? Excuse me if I pass!!

Marcus Kielly, Bristol,

Your article raises some interesting points, but I feel you are missing the biggest point of all, we (I am 37) ARE the videogame generation, as you rightly pointed out, we were raised on pac man and donkey kong, I enjoyed football as a child, and am still "allowed" to enjoy it. Why should videogames be left in our childhood?

And with consoles costing £200-£300 and games costing £40-£50 a pop, its hardly a pocket money pastime is it? I think you need to find a more informed position from which to criticise us.

I still managed to find the time to impregnate my wife twice, although I must say, since Call Of Duty 4 came out, I've been hard pushed to find the time. Duty Calls

Dean, Hull, UK

I play video games, I'm work 4 days a week, I'm at high school and study at University. I can easily say that 99% of my mates will go home, jump on the XBox 360, PS3, PSP etc. and are some of the smartest people I know. about 20% of them are footy players and aren't actual complete and utter fools to people who are smarter than them. I also have mates of both genders, and the girls are some of the biggest gamers that I know. Some of them equal to me. I count myself as a nerd and all of my mates say that I'm a nerd, but I don't give a damn about what other people think of me, but I still manage to retain some popularity because I'm a nice guy and will stand up for people when the are getting bullied and stuff like that, and because I help people when I can. Also, alot of the girls I sit with are pretty much going out with me. SO, if you think that "Man-teens sitting before their kiddy consoles look like huge manatees.", you can go and bite yourself, because your wrong.

D Gray, Queensland, Australia

I need to respond to Christian as well - don't generalize and act like games are nothing more than an escape from reality. I don't know about you, but I'd rather spend $40 for 20 hours on *entertainment* (because that's what it is) than $10 + food for a trip to the movies.

How does an angry reaction from someone whose favorite pastime was just needlessly bashed 'prove her point?' I take responsibility for my life as does every other gamer I know - I'm in college majoring in computer engineering and plan to attend graduate school. Oh, obviously that's impossible because I spend three hours a day playing video games.

I agree with exactly one sentence in your response, and that's the last sentence of the first paragraph. But you can't just throw that line out there after pretty much saying gamers can't take criticism and lack responsibility. If this were, say, an article criticizing black people, I doubt the argument would involve anything like 'they cannot take some self-criticism.'

Teddy Framhein, New City, NY / USA

" Man-teens sitting before their kiddy consoles like huge manatees. "

Huge?! Are you saying I'm fat!

There, is that promising?

greg d., Snowville, Canada

I'm sorry, are you saying you'd rather British men played amateur football, got amusingly drunk, instigated punch-ups, watched Big Brother or ineffectually pursued women? God forbid they use their personal time after a hard day's work to unwind and relax and lose themselves in a relatively harmless passtime. They should be going out and knocking up their girlfriends, dammit! And we all know Big Brother is such mature, educational viewing, too.

I'm not a particularly avid gamer (though a mild addiction to the DS amuses the children I teach), but I have friends of both genders who enjoy playing on their consoles in their free time. Some use it to socialise, others to get some time to themselves. It's neither harmful nor a waste of time. Many of these people are in successful jobs and relationships. I'm offended on their behalf by your flippant and uneducated critique of their hobby.

Rebecca, Mito, Japan

Xboxes are made and marketed with adults in mind as well as children. They aren't toys, they're entertainment systems just like your DVD player or computer.

Drew, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA

Let me get this straight. I should not play video games that i can stop while my spouse is around and play only when I am alone, but should instead watch sports every night, depriving my spouse of my presence at her side. I should go out with my "friends" and drink on a regular basis instead of singing my child to sleep.

When a woman is not with her spouse, she can do whatever she wants. Reading, tv, or whatever she likes. But when a man is alone... he can't do what he wants?

How unbelievably sexist. Maybe we men should fight for equality as well. Equality to choose how we live our lives.

Luc, Quebec, Canada

Thanks for the lukewarm pseudo-psychology. What a refreshing perspective! Don't worry, its only a little obvious that your entire article was birthed from a stringent misunderstanding (perhaps gleaned from sensationalist, headline-grabbing articles written by your fellow ignoramuses) of videogame culture.

Also, Hymowitz HAS to be a falsified source. Just look at that last name!

Nick, Columbia, South Carolina

It's google/internet/rumor-inspired research that often leads to childish conclusions such as these. If you had bothered to do any research beyond a quick google entry and online chat, you would find that most university students play video games; Myself included. We are no more childish than the next person/man/woman.

Simply put, video gaming is an evolving entertainment medium, and ignorant people such as yourself should simply learn to deal with it. Like movies, and rag-tag music before that, Video gaming will earn its prestige and respect. As long as backward minded people such as yourself continue to maintain alleged journalistic integrity progress in the face of social change will be forever stunted.

Kalen, London, Canada

Repeat after me.
Lesson 1: GEARS OF WAR IS AN 18.
Lesson 2: An item with a certificate 18, is NOT for children.
Lesson 3 Xboxes, like your toaster, are not toys.

I am thoroughly sick of these sexist, wishing it was still 1836, big brother loving, women who only care about make-up, shopping and producing children. Games are an art form, not a "toy" solely for 3-16 year old "boys". Try playing Resident evil and compare it to the best horror film you have seen? You'll find that the emotions you feel are far deeper than watching a bimbo American getting killed. Games could expand to be better than movies but are stuck in their infantile state due to people like you thinking they are just for "little boys".

And that also proves how these type of people make irresponsible parents, if games are for "little boys", in their mindset, then that means games like Gears of War, GTA and Manhunt would easily find themselves into young hands AND THEN they have the cheek to shout ban it.

SLStrong, Littlehampton, Britain

More techno-fear from another myopic fossil.

Christian, Manchester,

I landed a position as an entertainment executive before age 30. I own my own car, and I check my stock prices every day. I thought I was pretty successful in life, but it turns out that because I play games I am as immature as any child out there.

Granted, the games I play are made by adults, targeted to adults, and couldn't even be sold to children, but that's all irrelevant. If a child plays with something like an Xbox, then it is in fact a "toy."

The same should then be said for books, music, magazines, movies and TV shows. Children devour those things up, so, much like video games, they should all be considered as things only for children.

This article has been a real eye-opener. Now all I need to do when I get home from work is sit there and stare at the wall. Then I'll be a real man, right?

Chris, Los Angeles, USA / CA

As a young 19 year old modern man, I have to say I am quite offended by the lack of depth in your article. I currently go to two different colleges and am employed at a sporting goods store and a video game store. I see man different types come in and most are well adjusted people.

Calling a $250 - $500 (USD) piece of electronics simply a toy for kids is a gross mis-statement. I can't think of many who would be willing to spend that much on their child and not at least use it themselves.

Another point I would like to make is that plenty of women do game as well. From co-workers (both older than me as well as younger) to wives and mothers.

Many of us socialize through these games as well.
A friend of mine recently began dating an older woman he met through a World of Warcraft like MMO. A woman with 2 kids! I do believe that she would be considered an adult.

Please next time think before you go off the handle at a medium that is so easy to target and yet so hard to bring down.

Austin, Tacoma, Washington / USA

As an adult woman who plays video games I am deeply offended by your stereotyping of male gamers. Most of the men I know are married, employed, and just happen to play video games. Please stop the hate.

Also, Gears of War is a great game. Don't knock it until you have tried it.

Lee, Seattle, Wa

I don't understand on what grounds you equate "growing up" with "ceasing to have fun, and starting to have babies with me and generally doing as I say." Exactly how tongue-in-cheek is this supposed to be? If it's not at least "a bit" then you're coming across like some kind of single-minded baby making machine, which is a little frightening.

Gavin, Bournemouth,

Games are a legitimate modern medium. Just because you don't understand them (much less actually try to play one), you shouldn't write them off as infantile. No doubt columnists in the 1920s wrote snotty pieces about this new-fangled cinema - a medium games now earn more money than. It must be painful to be left behind by your children, but you'll just have to learn to live with your cultural obsolescence.

Nick, London,

You have a good point. Why play video games when I could be spending my time being productive?

Maybe instead, I could write narrow-minded articles on topics I know nothing about.

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction!

Josh, Davenport, IA

I admire your proper analysis of the genre and the games that you use as an example before writing this article, unless the baseless rhetoric spouted by Lawrence Cooper recently on Fox News Network, but what how exactly do you define a proper, full grown man?

As you mentioned yourself in the beginning of the article, middle-aged solicitors and managers are playing games. Regardless of whether they have children or not, the fact that they are well established and have a proper family is good enough of a sign that they are matured, no?

If playing games truly is a sign of childishness, what about working women who still watch teenage romance soap operas? Or people of all ages and sexes who read Harry Potter, which is quite obviously targeted towards children?

Point is, gaming is a modern, legit form of entertainment, and people need to embrace that. Should we use the same arguments to dispute television decades ago on video games now?

ManChild#2, Champaign, USA/IL

I'm a little mystified about what makes your life so superior to mine and others who play videogames. Surely you've noticed that there are games directed at adults, and perhaps you've noticed that games like Age of Empires and Civilization are highly strategic and not at all like Gears of War. You may also have heard of a game called World of Warcraft--where there is a certain amount of fantasy warfare, true, but plenty of socialization even between men and (gasp!) women!

Games are an enjoyable interactive escape. Some are dumb, and some are exceedingly smart. Some are shallow, and some are deeply involving. Some are violent, and some are sublimely creative and nurturing. Men are no more stunted and juvenile for playing videogames than women are for getting pedicures, manicures, grey-free hair and age-inappropriate outfits and then heading off for giggly girls-only lunches and smart shopping sprees.

David Demchuk, Toronto, Canada

Perhaps this all has to do with masculinity being the worst thing in modern culture? Masculine sexuality is seen as an abomination, male interests are seen as childish, everything wrong with the world is made so by males. Why would boys ever want to grow up? The media and women already see us as decrepit wastes of garbage that only accomplishment was to suppress and destroy everything feminine in the world.

The feminist movement made being a man the worst crime in the world, and now you are asking men why they don’t want to grow up?

Mats Holm, Bergen, Norway

I am married... I own a house... My wife is a successful Lawyer. I don't understand how playing video games makes me less of a man. My wife plays the Nintendo DS damn near every single night for about an hour or so at least. Does that make her a "Woman-child"? Probably not in your eyes.

ManChild#1, Austin, USA/TX

I must say that this was a fair and interesting article, at least much moreso than many gamers would think. I am sure that Mrs. Muir is already getting floods of angry emails from gamers that don't appreciate her words, but in a way that just proves her point. There is no denying that younger men (I myself am 23) are facing a changing world where they are unsure of where they must be (and, I would say, most people don't know how to treat them). They are becoming "Lost Boys", and games are what they retreat to. A shame they cannot take some self-criticism and realize that sooner or later, they have to take some responsibility. There is nothing wrong with gaming in my mind (it really isn't worse than chick lit), but when it gets in the way of family time problems will ensue

I will say this however - games like Gears of War can be played online with others, and men's love for its violence is akin to the Rated R action flick (which is harder and harder to find these days).

Christian W, Baltimore , MD