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Apr. 14, 2003 I watch with curiosity as my son scans through his largely growing deck of trading cards. This week it is Yu-Gi Oh and Pokemon. It never ceases to amaze me how many characters and pictures these cards contain. I must admit the artwork on most is inspirational and breathtaking. Rather than spend his money on toys and junk he prefers to spend it on books and trading cards. With these cards he looks for the rare, the ultra rare, and the ultra rare hyroglyphic cards. Then he either keeps them in a folder or trades them. When he has the right cards, a duel can then take place. I sit there dumbly and ask about his duel. He rolls his eyes ever so cutely and explains it to me for probably the fifteenth time that week. I still don't really get it but he knows all the rules and what is good life points and what sends you to the graveyard. Okay, I don't try too terribly hard to understand but I always try to express an interest in what he is involved with. Many parents think the cards or bad and make the children to all kinds of terribly acts of violence. My opinon differs actually. If anything it saves my son from loading his room with junk he will play with for only one day. He has been collecting character cards for five years now so this isn't a "come and go" type of hobby. He takes care of his cards, understands their value, and appreciates the art work. Many times he tries to draw just like the pictures on the cards. At school he has made many friends and so far this school hasn't had a bout with bullying in the last three years. Children aren't hitting each other or being violent towards one another, they are simply playing, understanding the cards aren't real and it is actually played out in a professional manner. My son has also learned early the importance of researching the card he has to keep him from giving away a high card in return for a useless card. I may not understand it but I certainly don't have a problem with it. His reading has improved, knows big words, has become more creative and it has fueled his imagination. With the dueling it is all about the life points and with that comes a lot of math. The children all seem to understand on the same level and there isn't any jealousy, just the admiration when someone buys a pack with some great cards. There are worse cards he could be spending his money on. This isn't one of them. He has learned you have to take good care of the things you have, especially when you are a collector. To the parents who ban this activity, I would hope they would look at it with a little different attitude. Not once have I witnessed it as an influence towards violence nor have I seen it get out of hand or become overly obsessive. Some kids like dolls others like trucks. Instead of sitting in front of the television or plunking away at video games, he is doing something that makes him happy and using his mind. How there can be anything wrong with that, I will never know. About the author: Nancy Jackson is a full time author and poet with works in Literati, Twilight Times, Anotherealm, Sonny World, and various anthologies. Her pasttimes include spending time with her loved ones, drinking wine, and lots of writing! Email Nancy Jackson: coryann93@yahoo.com ------------ Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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