Game:
Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas
GTA San Andreas is a game about playing a gang member, and getting revenge on the crooked cops who killed your family. While you can follow the story line, the game is well known for letting you wander around and do all sorts of gang-like stuff, most of which, your kids are -- or should be -- aware, is not condoned in normal society. Rated Mature.
1. Why do you enjoy playing this game? Do you think the press criticism of too much violence is justified?
2. Are there any things you have to do in the game that make you uncomfortable? Why?
3. Does this game teach you anything about our society?
4. Do you play this game alone or with others? Do you talk about it with your friends? What kids of things do you talk about?
5. What do you like best about this game? What do you like least?
6. What have you learned from this game?
This game would fit in well to a discussion about sub-cultures within society. It would also be relevant to a unit or discussion on sociology and on violence in society. Although Gamerdad.com recommends keeping kids away from the game, they go on to say GTA actually also features top notch writing, superb mission design, Hollywood A-list voice acting, unprecedented replay value, and "emergent gameplay" (the game responds, or seems to, based on your actions). All of the above make it an adult fantasy simulator. Is this healthy? Probably not and you should definitely keep kids away from it but, man, it sure can be fun. " So whether your kids should play depends on your philosophy about when kids should start learning about "adult' pleasures. When do they take their first drink? When do they learn about sex? Many would argue that the kids with the strictest parents are typically the worst offenders and abusers. | 
