You know, I now have the power of experience AND science on my side!!! Last week’s post was about how I make my characters and how those women have helped me grow in the real world. I ended (well, I tried to end) on a sentimental note about how I hope RPGs can do the same for my Little Green Dragon. The natural extension of that is, would it really work?

And I’m happy to say, folks, that science has proven that it will! We’re not crazy, our guts were right, guys!!!You see, despite all the 80s propaganda painting RPGs and LARPing and the like (PLEASE, check out the JonTron Video, it’s Nat20 comedy) modern science and statistics have actually proven that Gary Gigax was God’s gift to social outcasts like me. In a Seattle-based study spanning 10 weeks, Foundry10 tracked the social behaviors of kids who played TTRPGs and those who don’t. Those who did at young ages scored better in social awareness and maturity and in practical problem solving.

And it certainly doesn’t stop there. Ted Talks have covered this topic (link), and I’ll admit I’m not sure how favorably Ted Talks are viewed these days but that’s still a huge deal! You see my point, that professional pep talks have even sited the validity of RPGs as a social teaching and character-building tool? Professional. Pep. Talks. By a guy in a kilt.

On top of all that, can we just discuss how many famous people play RPGs? Steven Colbert we all know, but there’s also Myles Garrett, Tim Duncan, Yancey Strickler, Jon Favreau (as I expect the savior of Star Wars to do), and JUDI DENCH????? Clearly, the common denominator is D&D, haha.

But, let’s be fair here and take a moment to examine the opposing viewpoint that TTRPGs teach children depravity and fantasy over truth: so that we can pick it apart. First of all, anyone who claims D&D is entirely depraved or immoral needs to be taught how to read an alignment chart. It’s a collaborative story-telling game, which means the story will be whatever the DM and players make of it! Yes, that means it can be PG or it can be X – and you can kindly remind them that it’ll only be evil or “adult” if they let it be so. That argument is just so ridiculous. It’s like saying that all flour is good for is baking cakes when pancakes and bread exist.

Second of all, just because it is a fantasy setting doesn’t mean that the kids are only taught fantasies. Character growth, social interactions, and creative problem solving are anything but fanatical. As we have already pointed out several times in this post, these are lifelong skills that INEVITABLY transfer to the real world. And while I don’t think TTRPGs are entirely a spectator sport, I will happily point out that Critical Role and Dimesnion20 certainly cover a wider range of emotions and topics with more depth and grace than Disney Princess Movies. Just sayin’.

So in summary, if it wasn’t obvious before now, let me make it clear that I am in favor of kiddos at the RPG table, lol. I always thought it would be an indispensable tool as a mother, and it is sooooooo vindicating to find out there is real data to back me up!!!! Cowabunga!!!!

Keep rollin’, guys!

PS: Do you know any other studies and articles that cover this topic?
PPS: Featured mem this week is original content. Trying my hand at meme-smithing!