Expert urges more recreational centers
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)