Too Old for Video Games

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I keep coming across this over and over again. My parent believe I am to old to play video games. I'm in my twenties, but came back home to take care of my younger siblings. Anyway, my parent believes that I should be more adult and should start thinking about putting away childish things. And that's very hard for me. I feel like I'll never really get fully accepted for being on the spectrum. They don't seem to understand that this is my personal special interest. Someone my special interest I'm to old for it now. I don't quite get it.

And somehow my dad thinks it different that for 2 weeks when Halo came out he playd the game till 2am in the morning. When Halo 2 came out he did the same thing. He thinks for some reason that doesn't count towards him not being adult because they were years apart. But...I sort of have to disagree with him there.

What do I do?

Playing video games has always been a great relaxer and decompressor. It's my me time. It's where I get to have fun and relax after stressful day.

Tell them if you are too old to play video games, then why do they make Mature rated games or adults only games? Why do they even have video game tournaments with adults?

Plus I also think when people say something is different when they are doing the exact same thing, it's an excuse and they are a hypocrite for it.

You are never too old to enjoy things like that. If you are doing one thing to the exclusion of all else, that might be a problem (or just an Aspie obsession!)

I'm 36 and I still play video games. My mother plays them too so she doesn't care even though I play them all day.

The average age of video game players is 37. Remember that's the average, so for every 11 year old there must be a 63 year old, or two 50 year olds. I would recommend politely paying no heed to your parents views on this one.

It just really hard to explain to them. That video games are what books use to do for me. They are a way to destress and they are a way to be part of a story and explore a new world and let go of this world for a while. A little bit of fantasy imagination for myself and that's how I write. And a little bit of escapism from the stress of the day. Nothing wrong with that.

As long as you also take care of your adult responsibilities, there is nothing wrong with continuing to play video games. Many parents just don't understand this because they grew up in a different era.

I'm 38 and I still enjoy playing video games and my parents have no problem at all with it. (Before my diagnosis, however, my mother did have a problem with me collecting and playing with dolls and stuffed animals during my teens and early adulthood) Besides, many video games are definitely NOT for kids. I nearly always stay away from playing "M' rated games but I've watched videos of games just filled with blood and killing and language like Manhunt or GTA on YouTube. For some reason it seems impossible for non-gaming people to realize video games are not primarily for kids, I mean jeez, they have "M"rated games at Toys R Us but would never sell "R"rated DVDS! But what really bugs me are people (usually males teen and older) who think that the only "good" video games are "hardcore" and that "E" rated games are only for small children which ironically makes them immature. Most really good games are "E" or "T"-Rated. Oh well, time to go and play The Sims 3. I may not be a huge success in real life, but I am in virtual life.

Too old for video games ? Too old to watch movies then. Video games can train your reflexs, teamplay, strategies etc... movies learn you nothing. Your parents watch movies, right ?

Video game is just the new "rock" of 20XX, or the new "manga". People think it's stupid, but it's just a way to escape. It develops dexterity, teamplay, strategies, reflexes, imagination... so it's better than many things people do...

Try not to put off your duties as an adult. Video games can definitely be a good outlet for when one's stressed out- I use them too for that reason. Your dad seems like a hypocrite. Is he relieving stress by playing games too? That's not fair of him at all.

My suggestion is to take care of your adult life and continue playing video games, regardless of what they say- unless they're threatening to kick you out or something like that. Just make sure you aren't spending too much time on games and are focusing on the responsibilities (sigh) of being an adult. I'm lucky right now, because my parents are lenient enough to let me get away with it. I still play games, use the PC frequently, and have a bedroom full of stuffed animals and childish stuff and I'm 20 now. I have, however, taken on the role of being an "adult" by going to college full-time. You aren't childish for playing video games; he has no right to say that you are and HE isn't...

Not only are you never too old to play video games, studies show that older folk who play them retain their thinking ability longer.

for the record, I'm almost 53, and my husband is 60. Playing World of Warcraft is one of our favorite "together" activities.