To Game Boy or Not to Game Boy, That is the Question!

Boy taking in the wonders of Hagia Sophia!

I came across this scene at the famous Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.  Hagia Sophia is one of the world’s most reknown treasures.  Built around 530 BC, it was first a church then, when the Ottomans took over Istanbul, it became a mosque.  It is gorgeous, full of history, and this boy played on his game boy for the entire time that I saw him.  His brother was there, too, doing the same thing.  When his family moved on, he followed; barely taking his eyes off of his game.

Sure, he was quiet.  He didn’t disrespect or deface any of the ancient history, but he also didn’t see it…at all. 

I’m sure his parents think that they are providing some type of education for him and his brother.  I mean they did pay for him to get all the way to Istanbul from where ever they live.  They took him to a World UNESCO Heritage Site, and paid the high price of admission.  They walked through and reverently, in hushed tones, saw and discussed each important artifact or mosaic.  They, however, did not seem to mind that both of their sons saw and experienced none of it.

As a teacher and a parent, I find this to be what is wrong with our society as a whole.  Constant stimulus and a laissez-faire attitude to history and education are the norm.  Buy a new car and have a TV and DVD player installed in the back.  If you do happen to bring your children along with you, you don’t have to talk to them.  Just pop in a movie.  They’ll be quiet and not bother you.  Do they see the countryside, learn to read a map, calculate the time and miles to their next destination.  No, they do not? 

We have taught our children that they can and will be “entertained” at all times.  All they have to do is begin to whine, and in the movie goes or the Game Boy is handed back.  We don’t want to deal with it.  Unfortunately, a lot of the time this translates into the child holding no interest in school.  They don’t value the education, and they certainly don’t want to have to work, or even to sit quietly so as not to disturb someone who does want to learn.

I love to travel, and I love to teach, but I think scenes such as this should be a wake up call to us!  Take an interest in our children.  Talk to them.  Expect them to sit quietly.  Teach them to sit still, to listen, to read, to be patient, to be responsible, to value education, and to be contributing part of society!  Take the game boy, but let them use it sparingly.