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A study published yesterday by the Journal of Adolescent Health found that daughters whose fathers played video games with them were more likely to grow up mentally healthy and well-adjusted. As the study states, “co-playing was marginally associated with higher levels of parent–child connectedness for girls, particularly when playing age-appropriate games.” The study continues, “When parents play video games with their daughters, they may be sending a myriad of messages. First, parents may show that they are willing to engage in an activity that is important to daughters. Second, playing video games can represent quality time between a daughter and a parent, especially when such play involves conversation between parent–child.” Playing age-inappropriate games rendered no positive effects.  Surprisingly the effects of co-play on boys were decidedly less pronounced. The study concludes that this may be due to the fact that because boys tend to play more video games than girls, the effects of playing together with a parent might have been significantly diminished. There you go. If you’re a parent, you’ve got another excuse to spend time with you children, not that you needed it. If you’re a child, pass this along to your parents. They might be surprised. |