There's conflicting research on whether violent video games have an influence on the kids who play them.
Some studies say there's no real correlation. But others — including one published yesterday in the March 2010 issue of the Psychological Bulletin, an American Psychological Association journal — suggests that exposure to violent video games is a casual risk factor for increased aggressive thoughts and behavior and decreases empathy in youth. (Read more in yesterday's USA Today.)
And the results weren't affected by research design, gender, age or culture, said lead researcher Craig Anderson, who directs the Center for the Study of Violence at Iowa State University.
In addition, last year, the Justice Department said that most U.S. children — more than 60 percent — are exposed to violence in their daily lives within the past year, either directly or indirectly. Exposure could be first-hand (as a victim), having witnessed violence, learning about violence through a friend or relative or hearing about a threat to their school or home.
We hear a lot about violence in schools, particularly when these incidents end in death, such as the 1999 Columbine shootings. But these acts of violence are rare.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 1 percent of all homicides among school-age children happen on school grounds or on the way to and from school. The vast majority of students will never experience violence at school or in college.
Yet, the proliferation of violence video games seems to correlate with an increase in violence (and, up until recently, bullying) among kids and teens.
So what do you think? Violence in video games influence players? Or do they have nothing to do with violent behavior?
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PUPPY UPDATE: Here's a recent photo of Indy. (Yes, that's his name.) It was his first time to the beach. No tan, though.
And to be fair, I included a photo of Sunny, who's getting a little neglected now that the puppy gets so much attention.
The preview for "It's Complicated," a new middle-aged comedy starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin as a divorced couple who's having an affair (yes, with each other), created yet another complicated, if not interesting, relationship dilemma.
Streep, who plays pastry chef Jane Adler, is now the "other woman" in the affair she's having with her ex-husband Jake, who had dumped her 10 years earlier for a much younger woman (with an enviable midriff). (The movie will be released on Dec. 25. Entertainment Weekly gave it a B-.)
It's obvious there's a demand for movies like these, dealing with older divorcees or singletons who are realizing that life can get more complicated with age. (Director Nancy Meyer also directed "Something's Gotta Give" and "The Holiday.")
In this case, it's a weird fantasy about an ex-wife being desired again by her ex-husband — yeah, the one who left you for a much younger — and thinner — woman. I suppose there's justice in that.
So I'm throwing it out there: do relationships get more complicated with age? Or are these storylines just on the big screen?
PRICE: $14.95 plus $7.95 for shipping and includes a free blanket.
THE GIST: I'm not sold on the Snuggie for humans — though I can see the allure — but the ones for dogs are adorable. These blanket with sleeves are machine washable with adjustable hook and loop fasteners for that perfect fit. Available in all sizes and in either pink or blue.
THE ADDED BONUS: If you order through the Web site, there's a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Not sure if your dog has to sign off on that...
BEST FOR: Dog owners who aren't ashamed to dress their pooches. (Watch out, Sunny!)
Back in May I debated throwing Sunny, my mixed-terrier pooch, a birthday party. (Read the blog entry here.)
While I don't consider myself a dog-obsessed owner, I do tend to spoil Sunny a bit more than I probably should.
So I jumped at the idea of celebrating her birthday with her dog friends from the Hawai'i Kai Dog Park, all of whom turned 1 this year.
We met up at one of the owner's home in Hawai'i Kai — she has a yard, inflatable pool and margarita mix — on Sunday for a baby lu'au of sorts.
No party hats for the dogs. We didn't even get a birthday cake. But we're pretty sure the dogs had a good time.
Here's what it looked like:
One of the owners made these leis for the dogs. Twilight, our resident Italian greyhound dental hygienist — she likes to stick her head in dogs' mouths — models hers.
Munchkin, who turns 1 this summer, sported a party dress while lounging in the pool.
Sunny, seen running ahead of the pack, is always the party-starter.
Surprisingly, she loved the water. She kept jumping in and out of the pool, fetching tennis balls.
Scout, a rescued kitty, made a brief appearance at the dog party. She held her own.
This was Sunny's first time seeing a cat up close. They got along great.
Chloe, in the red lei, came fashionably late.
One of the owners hired an artist to draw caricatures of the dogs and their humans.
But really, all the dogs wanted to do was play. Here's Zeke and Disney, wrestling like usual.
Of course, nothing compares to the mixed martial arts between Sunny and Chloe. They've been doing this since they were four months old.
So if you're debating throwing a party for your pooch, do it. It's not weird. Not really.
Special thanks to the McCormicks for hosting the party. You guys are dog park rock stars!
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Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish, send her an e-mail at cat@thecatdish.com, and now watch her every Thursday at 6:45 a.m. on KHNL News 8.
Thanks to everyone who submitted questions to cat@thecatdish.com!
I got two that dealt with the same topic. So I've reworded it a bit to put the two related questions together. Post your thoughts and suggestions!
Question: There are some dog owners in my neighborhood who don't pick up their pooches' poop. It's rude, inconsiderate and unhealthy. Is there something I can do?
Answer: Oh, this bugs me, too. These irresponsible dog owners give the rest of us a bad rep. But there is something you can do. Aside from waiting on the sidewalk for these thoughtless owners to commit the crime so you can bitch them out, you can call 911. Yep, according to the city's ordinance against littering — you can read the litter law here — violators can be fined for leaving pet poop on private or public property. Owners are required by this law to clean it up. So if you can catch the culprit in the act, take notes, take photos and call HPD.
But apparently, for hundreds of men — maybe thousands — it is.
So much so one Kansas City, Mo. company had made a name for itself selling testicular implants for pets.
(Yes, I said "testicular.")
More than 250,000 pet owners have bought into Neuticals, the plastic replacement parts for male dogs. And they come in a variety of sizes for a variety of pets, from gerbils to Clydesdales. The cost can range up to $1,200 for a pair.
"Neutering is traumatic," said founder Gregg Miller. "It's traumatic for the pet and for the pet's owner."
Really?
Is neutering your dog really that traumatic for men? I mean, it's not YOUR testicles that are being removed. So what gives?
According to the Neuticles Web site, more than 80 percent of pet owners, for various reasons, hesitate or even refuse to neuter their pets.
"He's a guy and I wanted him to remain looking like one," said Lane Hinderman of Metairie, La., as posted on the site.
I don't get it.
Spaying and neutering your dog has important health and social benefits. First off, you're helping with population control; more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
In addition, it reduces the risk of certain health problems including mammary tumors, uterine infections and tumors.
Break-ups, bad haircuts, Brangelina ... whatever's being dished at the water cooler, Catherine E. Toth — a.k.a. Cat — has something to say about it. She writes about everything from relationships to reality TV.
