'What's a necessity in modern living?' poll discussion

gunsandbanjos

I can't believe over 300 people have voted that games consoles are a basic necessity:eek: I'm sorry but that is mental!

Jacks_xxx

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

I can't believe over 300 people have voted that games consoles are a basic necessity:eek: I'm sorry but that is mental!

To be "normal" it's essential to have the things that are considered normal in the society you are part of.

Games consoles are a normal standard everyday thing for children to have.

If they want one, and all their friends have one, then it's pretty essential for their happiness that they do too.

Unless children being happy isn't a necessity? :eek:

And Martin's not asking us about normal families in this country?

I consider a child who goes through their childhood without a games console, in a society where it is expected that they will have a games console, and when their friends all have a games console, to be having a deprived childhood.

Martin's not asking us what's necessary for a deprived childhood, he's asking about normal modern family life - and in our society that includes trying to make our kids happy and conform to the norms of society - which means a games console.

jeanmd

Jack, what a lod of bull! When I was a child I wanted a bike cause my friends had one. I didn't get one. I'm still here, without insecurities,and no worse for not having the bike. Children do not need everything just because their friends have them. This is why adults get into uncontrollable debt. Talk about keeping up with the Jones'

Jacks_xxx

jeanmd wrote: »

Jack, what a lod of bull! When I was a child I wanted a bike cause my friends had one. I didn't get one. I'm still here, without insecurities,and no worse for not having the bike. Children do not need everything just because their friends have them. This is why adults get into uncontrollable debt. Talk about keeping up with the Jones'

I'm not suggesting that children need "everything" Jean, or that anybody needs to keep up with the Jones, or that anybody need get into debt to pay for a games console.

It's not really about the material object at all. It's about a child fitting in, not being left out, and not being deprived of one of the normal things a child can expect to own in our society.

Birthday parties aren't strictly a necessity like clothes or food either, but a child who never gets one is growing up deprived.

It's funny that you still remember that bike you wanted though isn't it?

jeanmd

Yes, but I didn't cry or throw a tantrum. I accepted that I couldn't have one and got on with life. There's many things I've had to do without, but I had a very good childhood. We had holidays every year when most children were luck to have a day out with the local working mens club to the seaside. There's many more instances I could mention, both in doing without and having more then others.
It really doesn't hurt to do without. Learning children not to buckle to peer preasure is one of the greatest things you can teach them.
Parents are made to feel guilty for not giving their children what their friends have.
We have become a society where it is more important to provide material posssessions for children then to nurture them. How many children would prefer one of their parents to be at home when they get home from school or during holidays. How many very young children go to nursery to be looked after by stangers instead of being looked after by a parent, only seeing them for an hour or two on an evening before bed if they are luck. Oh, and we mustn't forget that the parents have to their time too.
Call me old fashioned, but I really believe children thrive better with a parent at home then any possession. Things like washer, hot water, heating, cooking are a necessity, a pc or games console is not - I was without my pc for a while earlier this year, I missed it, but it wasn't life changing. Sorry, I've gone on a bit.

gunsandbanjos

So because my child does not have a games console she is deprived?:rotfl:Get a freaking grip! That is the most ludicrous statement i have ever heard.

Having a games console is not a BASIC NECESSITY, they do not require one. I would rather my daughter was out in the fresh air running around, playing with her friends and using her imagination than sitting staring at a plastic box.

bubbles0169

OMG!!!! right im nearly 30 and so far ive managed to get through life with just a cooker, hot water,a washing machine(yes i could use the nearest lake and kill my hands but hay) and err.. thats it(no,no love involved-towards me- but aneeewaaay!) im really narked that my 9 year old has not been taught internet safety in school before he was allowed to use it there and im really dumb founded as to why nearly 5000 think a TV is necessary and why nearly 5000 think a computer is necessary and why nearly 5000 think a home phone is necessary????
1)life is not lived on TV,2) life does not exist on the computer and 3) people did actually get through life not ever using a telephone, dont know where your child is or what theyr doing? NEGLECT comes to mind???

k.o.d

Jacks_xxx wrote: »

To be "normal" it's essential to have the things that are considered normal in the society you are part of.

Games consoles are a normal standard everyday thing for children to have.

If they want one, and all their friends have one, then it's pretty essential for their happiness that they do too.

Unless children being happy isn't a necessity? :eek:

And Martin's not asking us about normal families in this country?

I consider a child who goes through their childhood without a games console, in a society where it is expected that they will have a games console, and when their friends all have a games console, to be having a deprived childhood.

Martin's not asking us what's necessary for a deprived childhood, he's asking about normal modern family life - and in our society that includes trying to make our kids happy and conform to the norms of society - which means a games console.

What a load of utter tosh. If a child has to rely on a console for being happy, they are either 1) spoiled rotten 2) Incapable of logical and interesting thought for themselves 3) Socially inept.
It is NOT an essential, and a console does not make a kid happy, you are talking about keeping up with the Jonses and your 'perceived' social standing rather than having happy kids.
Deprived childhood because they had no console, never heard so much claptrap in one sentence.

niku2

we've been in our modest mid-terraced home for nearly four years now, and the cost to install central heating is exorbitant. we simply can't afford to do it. we have a two-year-old and another on the way in november and, as any parent knows, kids are expensive. we aren't able to save enough to put in central heating. with both of us working, we're just above the threshhold to qualify for any assistance with heating.

we have a gas fire in the front room which does a relatively good job of warming most of the house, except for especially frigid days.

i feel guilty about the fact that we haven't been able to get central heating, but i also know we're doing the best we can for our wee ones at the moment. :embarasse

Jacks_xxx

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

So because my child does not have a games console she is deprived?:rotfl:Get a freaking grip! That is the most ludicrous statement i have ever heard.

Having a games console is not a BASIC NECESSITY, they do not require one. I would rather my daughter was out in the fresh air running around, playing with her friends and using her imagination than sitting staring at a plastic box.

Yes, but what does your daughter want?

If she doesn't yearn and long for a games console then the issue is moot.

If she does, does she understand why you'll never buy her one?

As I keep saying, the issue is not the games console itself, it's about fitting in with society and if you're 11 and it seems like everyone you know has got one but you don't - then yes those children are being deprived and socially isolated if their parents don't start putting a couple of pound away each week to save up for one.