The Sims 3 berates you for having a child out of 'wedlock' Yes they use that word...

[Vrach]

Personally it made my blood boil. There is absolutely no shame in having children out of wedlock these days and many couple choose to remain unmarried because of cost and also religious (or lack of) beliefs.

So despite your feelings on the Sims 3 what do you make of this??

(If this should be in off topic then please move I was unsure where to put it)

Edit: I'd just like to point out that my sim is a celebrity and this is why this message appeared, It's still not justified though...

I'm guessing you've never seen something resembling a tabloid? Go over to the first news stand you find on the street, I'm sure you'll be able to find a " has child out of wedlock!" without a lot of trouble.

The game doesn't berate you for it. It says the society does. Which it would. And this is a reality simulator. So there's 0 inappropriateness as far as the game is concerned, it's just presenting the reality of the situation, which exists just fine in today's society, even for non-celebrities.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

The game doesn't berate you for it. It says the society does. Which it would. And this is a reality simulator. So there's 0 inappropriateness as far as the game is concerned, it's just presenting the reality of the situation, which exists just fine in today's society, even for non-celebrities.

Perhaps it's just a cultural thing as the press just loves celebrity babies and mums over here in Britain out of marriage or otherwise...

 

[Brutal Peanut]

All of my siblings and one of my good friends had kids out of wedlock, and this debuff didn't bother me. Probably because I know a few people who actually did judge them harshly for it. Seems douchey for people to continuously judge someone for something like that since it's really none of their damn business and there isn't anything at all wrong with it, but they still do. Even for celebrities, but the tabloids get over it, and then fawn over the Mother and her cute kid for awhile by basing a whole magazine cover and six page article about them, then they move on to whatever the flavor of the month is wearing.

While I can see how it would fit into a reality simulator, I think they pretty much could have left it out.

Edit:You know what, I love the fact that people get married. You know what else I love? Couples that don't, but stay together and have kids anyway. You know what else is fantastic ? People who want to stay single and completely enjoy the lifestyle. You know what is great? People who want to be parents, but still be single.

You know what seriously sucks? People continuously punching each other in the junk about it all. Some people get married, some couples don't, some people love to be single, and others want to be single but have a child. I don't see why this requires so much verbal abuse towards each other.

 

[Thundero13]

Really? that's a bit odd, I could've sworn that my sims adopted before they married, I must be remembering it wrong...

 

[pwnzerstick]

Its stupid that this is something the game tells you directly, in this context it is preachy. If they wanted an actual society then have other characters in the game react to it in person, not a block of text that says that they do.

 

[Jinx_Dragon]

Sounds like some writers were having trouble coming up with ideas for +/- mods in the Sims. I wouldn't read too much into it.

Also, it's not entirely innacurate. While some of society is more accepting, there will always be those judgmental people who will look down on you for whatever reason.

True, but if we are catering to these people then we also have to make it scandalous to have gay relationships, inter-racial relationships and inter-religious relationships!

 

[Hallow'sEve]

I miss the good ol days... [http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=122]

 

[Phasmal]

Wow, seriously, Sims 3? :S
I played that game before that was added, what is the point in adding a feature like that?

 

[Lonan]

Sort of a reminder that you're playing an American game.

I would never play The Sims anyway, because it seems quite sad that someone would spend money to simulate an alternative real life. Having FPS or RTS matches makes sense, enjoying an immersive interactive entertainment experience makes sense, but spending money to have a different, boring, real life, in the time I want to get away from boredom? With my hard-earned money? I don't think so.

I have a similar view on sports games, in that you should play the real sport and be physically active, rather than sitting on the sofa getting carpal-tunnel when you could be playing the real thing with real people.

 

[Macrobstar]

My uncle and aunt had two children before they where married, they where raised in a stable enviroment and they are the nicest kids you have ever met, they loved eachother so why does it matter whether they where married or not

I am not saying it is impossible, I am saying it is not logical. As in, it isn't smart. In the same way that not bothering to get insurance because "you will be careful" isn't smart. The point still stands unless all of the world will be looking to your aunt and uncle as a shining example as to how to do it, which I doubt. I would bet your aunt and uncle would not claim it as the smartest decision as well.

I'd say they wouldn't care, as long as a couple look after there children then why should they bother?

 

[Atmos Duality]

Aaand I continue to not buy any games from EA.
Why? Tasteless shit like this. There's dark humor, there's social commentary, and then there's this.

 

[Tanfastic]

It's a bad thing simply because people don't see the "tie" that is marriage, if you're married there's a better chance that the child will grow up in a good house with loving parents. Where as when unmarried there's the stronger likelihood of the father or mother leaving and then that kid has a harder time growing up (not always.) Its the same with divorce, people look down on it because of the kids, true your spouse may not be the one or maybe he/she threatens you or something and when explained the people who look down on divorce understand.

Simply its looking out for the kids. I personally am going to have kids in wedlock (If I get married) but as long as both parents support the kid than I couldn't care less if they're married or not. Note: My mother raised me with no father out of wedlock and I think I turned out alright.

 

[b3nn3tt]

-snip-

I could not disagree more! Why is marriage the be all and end all of a relationship? In what way is it irresponsible to have children and not be married? Surely being in a relationship and having children is pretty commited, you don't need a piece of paper to prove anything.

Did you read what I wrote about visitation and property rights? Marriage is a contract that protects everyone involved, both the married couple and their children. That piece of paper does quite a bit more than just "prove (something)."

Well, then that has very little to do with commitment. And I would argue that a better solution would be to alter laws to allow for common-law partners to have more rights, or something along those lines, rather than force people to marry in order to gain certain rights. I think it's awful that people can live together for decades, but if they aren't married then if one of them dies the other can end up with nothing.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

-snip-

I could not disagree more! Why is marriage the be all and end all of a relationship? In what way is it irresponsible to have children and not be married? Surely being in a relationship and having children is pretty commited, you don't need a piece of paper to prove anything.

Did you read what I wrote about visitation and property rights? Marriage is a contract that protects everyone involved, both the married couple and their children. That piece of paper does quite a bit more than just "prove (something)."

Well, then that has very little to do with commitment. And I would argue that a better solution would be to alter laws to allow for common-law partners to have more rights, or something along those lines, rather than force people to marry in order to gain certain rights. I think it's awful that people can live together for decades, but if they aren't married then if one of them dies the other can end up with nothing.

The fact that they lived together for decades without getting married is what shows the lack of commitment -- if you're in it for the long haul, do yourself a favor and get married.

 

[Dogstile]

Personally it made my blood boil. There is absolutely no shame in having children out of wedlock these days and many couple choose to remain unmarried because of cost and also religious (or lack of) beliefs.

I like it. There is shame in intentionally having kids as a single parent and couples who choose to remain unmarried in my experience have only bad reasons for doing so.

Nice to see a piece of modern media actually shoving that in peoples faces a bit.

What shame is there in raising a child as a single parent?

Honestly, look around at the social relationships around you. Chances are people judge other people harshly if they have a child out of wedlock.

They definitely do around here at least. You need thicker skin dude.

Edit:

Did some digging, apparently its to do with failing a trait you picked.

 

[DracoSuave]

Its to do with the Goal Set you pick at the start (cant remember if thats what its called). You get it if you take the family one where the goals are to get married and have children.

So wait...

You CHOOSE at the beginning whether to have this set goal, and the game punishes you from straying from this set goal, and people are in a tiff?

More people in this thread need to chill them m****f*****z the hell out.

The only way you'd get this is by your own choice. Don't like it? Don't choose to go after it.

THIS IS NOT HARD PEOPLE


This thread has gone to seven pages of over-reaction, and only ONE PERSON has mentioned the correct context.

f you don't take the time to figure out the context of something, you're going to look like an idiot when you get offended and it turns out to NOT be the situation you're offended about.

Like this instance. There's a ton of people offended by it, but only one voice of reason saying 'Guys, you only get it if you fail a life goal.' It's voluntary. You can't get this without choosing to play within that ruleset. Some people want to play with that ruleset, so they do. Others do not, so they do not. It's not a values judgement. It's not a commentary on society. It's a game mission fail, and nothing more.

Chill.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

-snip-

I could not disagree more! Why is marriage the be all and end all of a relationship? In what way is it irresponsible to have children and not be married? Surely being in a relationship and having children is pretty commited, you don't need a piece of paper to prove anything.

Did you read what I wrote about visitation and property rights? Marriage is a contract that protects everyone involved, both the married couple and their children. That piece of paper does quite a bit more than just "prove (something)."

Well, then that has very little to do with commitment. And I would argue that a better solution would be to alter laws to allow for common-law partners to have more rights, or something along those lines, rather than force people to marry in order to gain certain rights. I think it's awful that people can live together for decades, but if they aren't married then if one of them dies the other can end up with nothing.

The fact that they lived together for decades without getting married is what shows the lack of commitment -- if you're in it for the long haul, do yourself a favor and get married.

That is a terrible, disgusting and vile sentiment. Marriage is a prison, whereas a relationship is only one if you choose to make it so. There is nothing that isn't purely financial that can be considered good about marriage.

Citation needed, buddy -- and I'd like to see you tell that to the gay and lesbian community. And news flash: marriage is not and has never been a religious thing. It has always been about financial stability and being able to provide for both yourself and your children. And here's a non-financial benefit: the right to visit your spouse in the hospital. If you aren't married to them, they aren't legally a part of your family, and you don't have that right. But sure, marriage is a prison -- we'll go with that.

 

[lacktheknack]

Meh, WAY less offensive then half of modern game content.

After all, shamed for being a single parent is theoretically LESS offensive than shooting someone (outside of video games, apparently).