Video Game Violence?

Does Video Game Violence Promote Real Violence?

In my opinion, ultimately, no. If this were true, people all over not only the United States, but globally would be beating each other to a pulp, murdering one another and committing other acts of crime and violence at extremely high rates. Everyone, especially in my generation, would be very violent, because we grew up playing video games. Not to say that things don't happen, but video games are not the sole cause. Much of the violence that occurs, is for the same reason it has always occurred, ignorance. Bad parenting, psych issues, mental illness and even just plain old not knowing better are some leading causes for violence.
Violence, has always been a common part of western society. In ancient times, people would watch other people kill each other, and be killed, in an arena. This, known as gladiator competitions is what we base modern sporting events off of now. (Think of how most sporting arenas resemble the Colosseum). Humans, love watching competitions of physical strength, and ability, including and up to watching people kill each other. Sports are one of the most common forms of competition, but can lead to actual physical harm.Video games, just like sports, simulate this competition, but without any actual risk of harming one another. Video games are even less violent than sports, because players rarely actually interact in real life. 
In some ways, video games help to even prevent violence. Many of my friends use video games as a way to "vent their frustrations." Video games are a good way to do this, because they allow stress and tension to be relived with out any physical harm done to anyone. Many people with violent tendencies may find video games to be a release, or a way to fulfill their violent urges without actually harming someone. This may even prevent a lot of violent crime, by allowing violence to occur with out actual people being harmed. Also, it can be a discouraging factor. Someone I knew was playing a violent video game, where the main protagonist was a drug dealer. This discouraged him from being a drug dealer, because as he said "these guys go through alot of shit."
Where video games can promote violence, is with people who may having issues telling reality from virtual, such as people with mental illnesses and small, impressionable children. Unfortunately, it is often the case that these kinds of people can readily access violent video games that can negatively influence them. But this is more the minority than the majority.
Video games are not the outright cause of violence, but can be a factor when bad situations have already began to breed trouble. Video games may even help to release tension, or fill a void that may even help to keep violence under control.Video games, in and of themselves, do not cause violence.