A generation of young men is choosing fantasy over reality. At least that\u2019s what Dr. Philip Zimbardo of Stanford University and psychologist Nikita Duncan argue in their new book, \u201cThe Demise of Guys: Why Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do About It.\u201d<\/p>\n
The message of the book is simple: Research is demonstrating that young men are becoming addicted to video games and online pornography on a scale unparalleled by any addiction that we\u2019ve ever seen in history.<\/p>\n
But unlike with drugs, alcohol or gambling, these addictions aren\u2019t for ever-increasing quantity. Instead, they drive boys and young men to seek novelty \u2014 the next big thrill.<\/p>\n
According to Zimbardo and Duncan, it\u2019s the same phenomenon observed in laboratory rats which, when given the opportunity, abandoned food in order to electrically stimulate the part of the brain responsible for pleasure. In effect, the rats gladly \u201cshort-circuit\u201d their natural means of enjoyment to get a thrill that felt new every time.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung men … who play video games and use porn the most,\u201d say the authors, \u201care being digitally rewired in a totally new way that demands constant stimulation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not only does this kind of addiction rob guys of the time, money and health they need to do other things, but it also diminishes their ability to enjoy real life, which can never offer stimulation as frequently, easily or in as much variety. As a result, say Zimbardo and Duncan, young men addicted to digital sex and digital soldiering are less able or willing to participate in those acts for real.<\/p>\n
A recent study in Psychology Today, which I talked about last year on \u201cThe Point,\u201d reinforces this prognosis. The study found that men who regularly viewed internet pornography actually lost their ability to perform in real-life sexual relationships.<\/p>\n
As a consequence of this over-stimulation, boys are now growing up with \u201cnew brains.\u201d Not only are they poorly wired for traditional learning, they lack the capacity for strong romantic relationships. Why? Because they tend to be largely unable to delay gratification or set long-term goals. They have to live for now.<\/p>\n
And as any junkie knows, this ultimately makes us miserable. A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that \u201cregular porn users,\u201d despite constant stimulation and excitement, are more likely to report depression … poor physical health,\u201d and \u201cisolation.\u201d And we all probably know young men who could use a little more playtime with real people and a lot less PlayStation.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m reminded of a chapter from C. S. Lewis\u2019 \u201cThe Screwtape Letters,\u201d in which the distinguished old devil, Screwtape, tells his apprentice nephew how to destroy humans with pleasure: \u201c … we always try to work away from the natural condition of any pleasure,\u201d he writes, \u201cto that in which it is least natural, least redolent of its Maker, and least pleasurable. An ever increasing craving for an ever diminishing pleasure is the formula.\u201d<\/p>\n
But simply cursing the darkness here won\u2019t solve anything. We need to recognize that, as Screwtape himself admits, all pleasures \u2014 even destructive ones \u2014 are originally based on God\u2019s good design.<\/p>\n
Young men are supposed to desire sex \u2014 within marriage. And, while all right in moderation, video games aren\u2019t the true outlet for the male desire to be heroic and to fight for worthy causes.<\/p>\n
We need to learn how to replace counterfeit pleasure with legitimate pleasure, encouraging young men to set aside cheap imitations and prepare themselves spiritually, morally, and emotionally to pursue the real thing.<\/p>\n
This is a place where the church can lead culture \u2014 by leading the rescue effort for this generation of young men.<\/p>\n
________<\/p>\n
Copyright (c) 2012 Prison Fellowship Ministries. Reprinted with permission. “BreakPoint with Chuck Colson” is a radio ministry of Prison Fellowship Ministries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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