Expert urges more recreational centers

JAKARTA (JP): Video games are increasingly popular among leisure seekers in the city, and it is teenagers that make up the majority of the hordes who flock to video game centers.

"Teenagers are by nature eager to look for additional activities outside their homes," says noted psychologist Sukarni Utami Munandar. "Video games meet their demand for adventurous experiences."

She says that any program featuring aggressive behavior tends to attract teenagers as well as adults.

"Unfortunately, most of the video games show wars, fights and other harsh situations."

Utami denies that she is against the video game craze. "Video games are merely a recreational facility. It all depends on what's on the screen."

She says that teenagers enjoy the thrills offered by certain programs. "To make matter worse, some people keep playing them, and even become addicted rather than doing something else like reading a book, seeing a movie or playing music."

Recreation is an outlet for the pressure people feel from school or work. The lack of recreational sites and educational facilities here has led teenagers to video games, she explains.

Utami was born in Leiden, the Netherlands, 65 years ago. She graduated from Hamburg University, where she did her thesis on "Creativity and Education" in to get her doctorate degree at the University of Indonesia.

She said that Indonesian youths badly need amusement centers which can help them develop their talents.

She says that South Korea, China and several other Asian nations are very cautious about their teenagers. Citing an example, she hailed the Chinese government's wisdom to build its Kid Palace in Beijing. Teenagers and younger children can find more than 40 games there.

"The entrance fee is set at a very low price just to make sure that everyone can afford a visit. Talented participants can win a free-charge plan. Such a program shows that the country is doing well to prepare its human resources."

Human resources

Student centers, youth centers or any place offering recreational and educational facilities are urgent for Indonesia, she said.

"How much time does a student spend at school every day?" she asked.

"Students and teenagers have a lot of time for activities. But on the other hand parents should remember to prepare 'home-sweet- home' to make their children reluctant to wander outside."

Video games, Utami said, is just one kind of recreational facility.

"However, there should be a body which selects the programs. Like movies and books which sometimes are banned, video games should also be selected."

"Video games indeed have an impact. People may feel alienated. Cruel programs may lead people to lose their sensitivity," said Utami.

She said that youth centers are just one important facility for teenagers.

"They (teenagers) need more experience outside their schools, something that can support and add something they don't get at school.

"We should prepare more facilities. The government, society and parents must realize this," she insists.

Games or recreational activities suitable for teenagers are those which contain aspects dealing with reaching maturity, according to Utami.

"The facilities should support physical, mental, intellectual, as well as emotional and social development," she said.

In Utami's opinion, Indonesia should have more youth centers run by qualified supervisors.

"Psychologists and diploma holders could be assigned to organize youth centers which offer not only recreational facilities but also educational ones."

"Teenagers won't do anything at the centers if there's nothing fun. But it must be educational." (icn)