a new world order?

AMANDA Lee is just 15, but she is already twice divorced and is now in the midst of another nasty split with her third husband. Oh, and she also has a daughter who is older than her.

Such a bizarre family structure could only exist in the world of online marriages, where all you need are in-game money and a willing partner - and a match is easily made, and just as easily broken.

Such virtual unions are becoming increasingly popular in the gaming community, especially among young gamers.


MORAL MAG SAYS

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT TRIVIALISES MARRIAGE AND GIVES THE YOUNG THE IMPRESSION THAT MARRIAGE IS A GAME; MARRIAGE IS A SACRED INSTITUTION; THAT'S WHY IT IS SAID THAT MARRIAGES ARE MADE IN HEAVEN. WHAT IS TO BECOME OF THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE. THINK OF THE LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF THIS. WHEN THE BUILDING BLOCK OF SOCIETY - THE FAMILY- IS THREATENED, WE SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO PREVENT A DOWNWARD SPIRAL.

CANTANKEROUS CECELIA

EASE UP MS MORALITY! ITS JUST A GAME. THE YOUNG ARE A LOT CLEVERER THAN YOU THINK AND SHOULD KNOW HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN FACT AND FICTION; GIVE THEM MORE CREDIT. FURTHERMORE, IF ANYTHING, I THINK THAT THESE ON LINE EXPERIENCES WOULD HEL WISEN THEM UP; MAKE THEM AWARE OF WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IN A MARRIAGE PARTNER AND MAKE WISER CHOICES. PERHAPS, THEY WOULD REALISE HOW MUCH IT TAKES TO STAY IN A MARRIAGE, AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS WHEN THE TIME ARRIVES.

SANE THOMAS

BOTH OF YOU HAVE MADE VALID POINTS - IT CAN BE A LEARNING TOOL; BUT IT CAN ALSO BE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL, IF THE MINDSET OF "MARRY AND DIVORCE AS YOU WISH" IS PLANTED INTO THE MINDS OF THE YOUNG AND VULNERABLE. CHANCES ARE THAT THESE GAMES ARE NOT GOING TO BE BANNED; WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE FUTILITY OF SUCH BANS, THESE DAYS. THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO EDUCATE THE YOUNG, MONITOR THEM AND DISCUSS THESE ISSUES ACTIVELY AND FREQUENTLY SO THAT THE YOUNG ARE ABLE TO DRAW A CLEAR LINE BETWEEEN THEIR VIRTUAL WORLD AND THE REAL ONE.