After years of gaming and having fun with the whole video game experience, many gamers reach an age when they start wondering about their hobby.

Male gamers start to feel lonely in the lobbies when they look around and notice that most of their friends do not game anymore. It is not via online matches that they get in touch with their pals, but during after work parties, family celebrations or at sports events. Professional activities and family seem to influence the decision of many, as well as partners who do not tolerate having to share the time spent together with the hours spent gaming. Without trying to make decisions based on others' desires and expectations, what are the pros and cons of keeping on gaming after a certain age? For some people, video games are exclusively for kids.

They are put on the same level as playing with dolls or cowboys and indians. On that matter, once a certain level of maturity is reached, one is supposed to lose interest in it and to move on and find other "toys". It is said that insisting on maintaining habits that should have been abandoned shows some sort of denial in assuming responsibilities.

By hiding behind a childish activity, one could be only attempting to escape facing reality and life as it is. Another point also constantly discussed is the amount of time adults spend with gaming. As a rule of thumb, we have a job, a family and social commitments. The last one includes a large variety of activities that go from watching the same TV programs as our peers in order to have subjects in common to talk about; to going to certain well-known places for the purpose of feeling as an active member of society. To fit in the profile of the politically correct citizen, one has to exercise a certain number of chores, which might not leave them any time for parallel hobbies.

Mainly to those that exclude people from their environment.  When gamers are parents, the arguments are even more passionate. Children need the attention and affection from both mother and father. One does not substitute or covers up the absence of the other. So, both parents are expected to be constantly present to follow and contribute for the good development of a child.  

Money plays a strong role in the debate as well. No one can deny the amount of modern basic needs that require a quite large amount of investment. It is not only about keeping up with the Joneses anymore. In our days, some facilities that used to be considered luxury are now essential and they cost money. Sometimes, they cost a lot of money... You might even have a cell phone, but wouldn't it be better if you could also take and send pictures with it? And what about your car? It might be spacious, but wouldn't it be safer if it had an ABS system and enough airbags? This list grows everyday...

The TV set is not large enough, or there are not enough of them around the house. Getting new outfits might not suffice as buying the expensive ones from the best-known marks, and so it goes. Despite the negativity around, keeping on gaming after the childhood is not as bad as some may say. In fact, it does have a lot of advantages. If it does not cause any harm, why limiting the fun to only a certain period of one's life? There are some old misconceptions about what people should and should not do based on their age that have been broken recently and it does not happen without a reason. 

Just look around and see how many members of the so-called Third Age are enjoying the best time of their lives now. Before, these people were considered good for nothing but raising their grandchildren. Their social environment consisted in dreamless elderlies who just sat around, sleeping for most part of the day while waiting for their "time" to come.Now, they can join associations, attend events, go on trips together etc. And this is just one example. 

Why can't the same happen about those who like video gaming? Why can't they join other gamers with the same age, work or whatever the background to enjoy some matches together and have fun? Why does it have to be considered a taboo?

If you are wondering whether or not to go on gaming, just reflect on your own reasons. Evaluate your possibilities, worries and doubts.

It is true that one has more responsibilities, but this does not mean that with a little bit of time management, one can't take advantage of some gaming hours in the week like of any other appointment they might have. Probably, there won't be as many long sessions as those teenagers have. However, abandoning the hobby is not really necessary. Among the adult gamers I know, some choose to go online after the kids go to bed. Others combine the gaming hours with the ones of their partners.

Keeping certain days of the week for the family and other activities, like practicing sports for example, is also one of the many solutions around. There are those who organize matches among their children giving continuity to their friendship in the next generations. Believe it or not, the great majority of us do "have a life" and enjoy it as much as being online with our gaming pals. 

Having their own financial means to invest in new consoles and games themselves is another positive point of being an adult gamer. Before, we depended on how much our parents wanted and could spare to buy some system. It involved taking extra money from all the expenses they already had with us. Besides, there were cases in which they had other plans for us and these did not include sitting around in front of the TV with a controller.

Even for those who started doing part time jobs at an early age to increase the allowance, the amount of money that could be saved was not always enough. Once we become the administrators of our income, we are able to control how much is spent not only in gaming but also in all our needs and hobbies. Briefly, the subject is more related to finding our own priorities. Just like anything else in life, the best way to enjoy video gaming in full is by balancing it with all the other responsibilities we have. The key always lies in finding the right proportion in what we do.  Practicing sports is excellent for our health, but exaggerating can cause serious damage to our body. A well-balanced diet guarantees not only good shape, but helps keeping many diseases away.

Working and being dedicated to our career helps building a positive imagine of ourselves and stimulates those around us, but overworking is the cause of many cases of depression, blood pressure problems and heart diseases. The same rule applies for gaming. If you are wondering whether or not to go on gaming, just reflect on your own reasons. Evaluate your possibilities, worries and doubts. Maybe, getting in contact with other gamers of your age might be an interesting and helpful idea.Ask them their ways to manage their responsibilities and leisure time.

The key always lies in finding the right proportion in what we do

Observe their attitude and take your own conclusions. Create your personal solution. With a little bit of imagination and creativity you will see that there is nothing to be concerned about. Continuing gaming does not exclude you from society or implies any kind of alienation.You are not alone and if you have not noticed yet, we form a group that is always growing in quality and quantity. 

This said, are you ready for a match?

Article by BM2 Love Angel

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