RP As Seen From A Parents Eye
1. Have you experienced role-play any time in your life?
I don't think so. If I had though I probably would have played the fantasy type games like Dungeons and Dragons or Monsters and Mazes because it'd be a nice escape from reality.
2. What did you first think when your daughter brought up role-playing on twitter?
It was ok. I like watching one of the same shows and I think the costumes are cool. If she's just role-playing what happens in the shows I guess I have nothing to protest to. I just hope she's being safe about it.
3. Did you try and stop her or did you just shake your head and laugh?
I just laughed and shook my head. When she told me I couldn't help but think it was funny. For a while I believed she just watched a little too much Big Bang Theory.
4. Do you think is really strengthens writing proficiency or is it just and escape (a waste of time, stress reliever, etc.)?
Yeah, I would say it strengthens writing proficiency. If you're really trying to write all day long for a character then you're going to improve, even if only a little. I don't think role-play is a waste of time, but instead encourages creativity.
5. Would you ever role-play on a social media website (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.)?
Assuming I knew how to use them. But, I think it might freak people out seeing someone my age doing this. They may think I'm a pedophile. However, if I were your age it'd be different. I would probably join in. (Kitten: Well there are a few older people, like in their older twenties all the way to their thirties.) Well I'm almost 50. That's a bit of a large gap even from thirty.
6. Many parents fear that role-playing is too sexual; do you ever worry that it could mess your kids up?
No. I think if you're already a pretty stable person, you can tell the difference between real and fake, It's those that can't tell the difference between reality and fantasy that I'd worry about, but they probably had an underlying problem to begin with. As long as the person behind the character realizes this is an action their character is doing, and not themselves personally then I don't see any problem with a sexual role-play.
7. When you hear about Twitter role-play, what first comes to mind?
What the hell is that? I honestly don't understand what role-play is. It's changed so much from when I grew up, that I think there should be two different names for what goes on.
8. Do you think role-play has changed from when you were our age?
Yeah, well when I was younger we didn't have the same technology, so we couldn't play with someone across the wold. We had to find actually people that we touch reach out and touch with our two hands and go off and play with then. Now, though, you can play these games on a global scale. It's really impressive.
9. What are some tips you would give worried parents?
If you're really afraid about what your child's up to then monitor their computer time. Or, if they sincerely protest against that, then join in on what they're doing and use your own judgement to whether it's good or bad. But at the same time, try and keep an open mind. Odds are they aren't going to be doing everything the way you'd like. Just don't do anything drastic before giving them a chance to explain or show you it's safe.
(This interview was conducted by Kitten. The person being interviewed was her mother, Cindy Booth. [a very open-minded mother of one])