By now, I'm sure you've heard about the father who put what was to be his son's Christmas present -a copy of the highly-coveted video game Guitar Hero III - up for sale on eBay after he caught the boy smoking marijuana. It has been all over the 'net as people debate whether the punishment fits the crime, or the father went too far.The sale has reached a bid price of over $9,000, although there's no way to tell whether it was actually sold, or the listing was removed (the father did say that if anyone could give him a compelling reason why he shouldn't sell it, he'd take it off the market). After spending weeks trying to find the game, the father, who's reportedly an elementary school teacher, feels that he's teaching his son a lesson by not giving him the game.
Will this work? Truthfully, I doubt it. His son will probably just spend more hours at his friend's house, playing the game there, and probably smoking more pot while feeling bitter towards his dad (who may have just made $8,900 by punishing him!) I could be wrong, but somehow I don't think that causing resentment will result in a lesson learned. And judging from the sarcastic tone used in dad's listing, he's obviously looking to rub things in the boy's face. (Here are some excerpts from his listing: I will show him the auction once it is posted and we can watch it finish together. Sort of a “Father-Son bonding experience"...I am still considering getting him a game for his Nintendo. Maybe something like Barbie as the Island Princess or Dancing With the Stars. These games are in stock everywhere I go, and I know he will just love them." If this isn't a snarky, rubbing-it-in-your-face-tone, I don't know what is!
Then again, this man is a father and a school teacher, so perhaps he knows what he's doing. As he claims in the auction: "I know that rewarding bad behaviour is just asking for more of the same". True enough. However, if he did take the game off eBay, there will certainly be some pretty peeved bidders out there!
In the spirit of Christmas, hopefully dad takes the game off eBay and surprises his son with it on Christmas Day. As for the father's students, I'd think twice before attempting to pull a fast one past this guy - he's a force to be reckoned with, and certainly means business!
(Here's a link to the original listing for those who are interested in taking a peek!)
UPDATE: According to lengthy notes that "dad" wrote on this listing, he has inked a deal with his son whereby if the purchasing bidder is someone just playing a prank (which it likely is, because who in their right mind would pay nine-grand?) then he'll give him the game. If it's a legitimaate bidder, they'll discuss a philanthropic way to spend the earned cash. If nothing else, hopefully the incident wil bring father and son closer. (And so many think that technology spreads people further apart!)
Will this work? Truthfully, I doubt it. His son will probably just spend more hours at his friend's house, playing the game there, and probably smoking more pot while feeling bitter towards his dad (who may have just made $8,900 by punishing him!) I could be wrong, but somehow I don't think that causing resentment will result in a lesson learned. And judging from the sarcastic tone used in dad's listing, he's obviously looking to rub things in the boy's face. (Here are some excerpts from his listing: I will show him the auction once it is posted and we can watch it finish together. Sort of a “Father-Son bonding experience"...I am still considering getting him a game for his Nintendo. Maybe something like Barbie as the Island Princess or Dancing With the Stars. These games are in stock everywhere I go, and I know he will just love them." If this isn't a snarky, rubbing-it-in-your-face-tone, I don't know what is!
Then again, this man is a father and a school teacher, so perhaps he knows what he's doing. As he claims in the auction: "I know that rewarding bad behaviour is just asking for more of the same". True enough. However, if he did take the game off eBay, there will certainly be some pretty peeved bidders out there!
In the spirit of Christmas, hopefully dad takes the game off eBay and surprises his son with it on Christmas Day. As for the father's students, I'd think twice before attempting to pull a fast one past this guy - he's a force to be reckoned with, and certainly means business!
(Here's a link to the original listing for those who are interested in taking a peek!)
UPDATE: According to lengthy notes that "dad" wrote on this listing, he has inked a deal with his son whereby if the purchasing bidder is someone just playing a prank (which it likely is, because who in their right mind would pay nine-grand?) then he'll give him the game. If it's a legitimaate bidder, they'll discuss a philanthropic way to spend the earned cash. If nothing else, hopefully the incident wil bring father and son closer. (And so many think that technology spreads people further apart!)
