Can ten-year-olds really be trusted?

[Burning Bush]

A fictional world is more realistic than reality? o.o

It can be at times, I believe with all the scaremongering and propaganda that we have to endure in the real world.

 

[Amewsment]

Regardless of propaganda or politics it can't be "more realistic" than our own world, unless of course you come from a different universe or world.

 

[Burning Bush]

Regardless of propaganda or politics it can't be "more realistic" than our own world, unless of course you come from a different universe or world.

Not literally but I think people's concerns in the show are more realistic.

If you take for example Dawn's mother, letting her child go out and travel around the Sinnoh Region with people she knows and trusts, that would never happen in the real world when maybe it should; for the benefit of the person in question Dawn having a good life experience.

 

[Aaren]

What you're referring to is idealism, not realism. Dawn's mother has concerns and feeling/reactions that you believe are good and appropriate for her – it's how we 'should' feel. But realistically, mothers aren't going to behave like that, it's an ideal. Realism is how things are, regardless of how they should be.

I think some pokemon would be bred as pets, and that's what most average people/families would have. You'd need a special license that would require lots of extra training to handle wild pokemon, and even then there would probably be specialists more than general trainers. Like specializing in poison types or something, much like we have people who specialize in birds or reptiles or what have you. Actually, the more dangerous kinds of pokemon would probably require someone with specific knowledge of that particular kind, being we have people who specialize in, say, cheetahs but not always big cats in general.

Most 10-year-olds probably would not be allowed to handle being a trainer, and I personally don't follow that as cannon anyway, since I don't remember any mention of it in the games. They could be apprentices to people though. Or have training to deal with the basic needs of pokemon: health care, dietary needs, comfortable environments, basic commands, appropriate ways of interacting with them (to not scare or startle them, or so you don't appear threatening, so you might appeal to them, etc). It would probably take quite a while to learn everything they needed to know, which would weed out some of the ones who would be less competent, and by the time they're any good at it, they're probably not 10 anymore anyways.

I put entirely too much thought into that, I know.

 

[Burning Bush]

What you're referring to is idealism, not realism. Dawn's mother has concerns and feeling/reactions that you believe are good and appropriate for her – it's how we 'should' feel. But realistically, mothers aren't going to behave like that, it's an ideal. Realism is how things are, regardless of how they should be.

I think some pokemon would be bred as pets, and that's what most average people/families would have. You'd need a special license that would require lots of extra training to handle wild pokemon, and even then there would probably be specialists more than general trainers. Like specializing in poison types or something, much like we have people who specialize in birds or reptiles or what have you. Actually, the more dangerous kinds of pokemon would probably require someone with specific knowledge of that particular kind, being we have people who specialize in, say, cheetahs but not always big cats in general.

Most 10-year-olds probably would not be allowed to handle being a trainer, and I personally don't follow that as cannon anyway, since I don't remember any mention of it in the games. They could be apprentices to people though. Or have training to deal with the basic needs of pokemon: health care, dietary needs, comfortable environments, basic commands, appropriate ways of interacting with them (to not scare or startle them, or so you don't appear threatening, so you might appeal to them, etc). It would probably take quite a while to learn everything they needed to know, which would weed out some of the ones who would be less competent, and by the time they're any good at it, they're probably not 10 anymore anyways.

I put entirely too much thought into that, I know.

If we're not idealistic in our lives, the world is a very dull place. The fact is the characters in Pokemon don't act like 10 year old's, and if they aged properly particularity in the case of Ash who would be 20 now.

The Pokemon world is made for a show though but is hardly very different to ours, there are cars, criminals and I'm sure much worse things, which we aren't shown because there isn't any need to. The earliest age a person can be become a Pokemon trainer is 10 also.

Does this mean the great majority of trainers in the world of Pokemon, are only 10? I wouldn't imagine so remember Ash is a special person to and will become the world's greatest trainer ever one day no doubt, by the series end. Not all 10 year old's can go into the world and do what he did, I'd imagine he'd attract people to his side of friendship being this also as with Max, Dawn, Brock, May and Misty who are all exceptional trainers themselves.

Dawn's mother being a champion coordinator, May and Max being the children of a gym leader... etc... so I believe Ash and his friends are a one off, remember I wouldn't imagine all people are accepted as Pokemon trainers. Which is maybe a huge reason for such large uptake in membership of such organizations as Team Rocket and such.

To gain a Pokemon 'licence' one has to show aptitude to Pokemon and how they react to different situations. As professor like Oak back in Pallet town would be able to see Ash as capable very easily. As he proved only hours after leaving his hometown with Pikachu, setting off it's largest thunderbolt ever into that group of Spearo's that were risking him and his Pikachu's life. Which obviously got the attention of Ho-Oh which says it all for our Pokemon Master it does really.

 

[Ichigo29]

Eh only thing I think your right about is the whole supporting thing I mean I've never seeen Ash actually use money before, and if pokemon centers started charing they'd be screwed

 

[ShinyFlareon]

Eh only thing I think your right about is the whole supporting thing I mean I've never seeen Ash actually use money before, and if pokemon centers started charing they'd be screwed

But the Pokemon Centers themselves would quickly become the richest organizations in the Pokemon world.

But that does lead one to wonder; if they don't charge for their services, how to the Pokemon Centers afford all their medical equipment? There's never been any indication that they've run on anything except maybe donations -- and we all know how unreliable and thrifty those can be. So unless people in the Pokemon world are a lot more generous than those in ours, how do the Pokemon Centers pay for everything? 10 year olds certainly don't have enough money to finance such an institution, that's for sure.

 

[Burning Bush]

But the Pokemon Centers themselves would quickly become the richest organizations in the Pokemon world.

But that does lead one to wonder; if they don't charge for their services, how to the Pokemon Centers afford all their medical equipment? There's never been any indication that they've run on anything except maybe donations -- and we all know how unreliable and thrifty those can be. So unless people in the Pokemon world are a lot more generous than those in ours, how do the Pokemon Centers pay for everything? 10 year olds certainly don't have enough money to finance such an institution, that's for sure.

The Pokemon league funds them maybe? Certainly I'd imagine the elite 4 as millionaires in our world. I wish they show would go into more depth about this kind of thing, but of sadly it's a 'kids' show so that won't be happening.

We'd rather see Team Rocket try to snatch Pikachu in the same way and fail yet again more than that sure? lol Well if it means Mr. Junior doing his voice then I don't mind.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

I wish they show would go into more depth about this kind of thing, but of sadly it's a 'kids' show so that won't be happening.

I don't think that's the reason; a lot of kids shows go quite in-depth with things. It's just this *specific* show rarely does.

 

[Aaren]

If we're not idealistic in our lives, the world is a very dull place. The fact is the characters in Pokemon don't act like 10 year old's, and if they aged properly particularity in the case of Ash who would be 20 now.

The Pokemon world is made for a show though but is hardly very different to ours, there are cars, criminals and I'm sure much worse things, which we aren't shown because there isn't any need to. The earliest age a person can be become a Pokemon trainer is 10 also.

Does this mean the great majority of trainers in the world of Pokemon, are only 10? I wouldn't imagine so remember Ash is a special person to and will become the world's greatest trainer ever one day no doubt, by the series end. Not all 10 year old's can go into the world and do what he did, I'd imagine he'd attract people to his side of friendship being this also as with Max, Dawn, Brock, May and Misty who are all exceptional trainers themselves.

Dawn's mother being a champion coordinator, May and Max being the children of a gym leader... etc... so I believe Ash and his friends are a one off, remember I wouldn't imagine all people are accepted as Pokemon trainers. Which is maybe a huge reason for such large uptake in membership of such organizations as Team Rocket and such.

To gain a Pokemon 'licence' one has to show aptitude to Pokemon and how they react to different situations. As professor like Oak back in Pallet town would be able to see Ash as capable very easily. As he proved only hours after leaving his hometown with Pikachu, setting off it's largest thunderbolt ever into that group of Spearo's that were risking him and his Pikachu's life. Which obviously got the attention of Ho-Oh which says it all for our Pokemon Master it does really.

Hahahah! Way to miss my point completely! I wasn't saying idealism is bad or anything, not at all. I'll try and explain my point a bit better this time; let me know if it works.
Pokémon is ideal, not real, because of the definitions of the words. Ideal is how it should be. You agree that in pokémon, the main characters at least act in a way that most people should. That's idealism. Realism is how it is. If most people did act the way they do in pokemon, you wouldn't need to point out that it's good of the main characters to be how they are. Instead, because however people ACTUALLY act is realism, it's worthy of note that they have the goals and expectations that they do. I hope that was more clear.

I also didn't make myself clear with my last two paragraphs, it seems, and I'm sorry about that. Those weren't directed at you specifically, just some thoughts about how the system might work if it were real, since I believe that was one of the topics under discussion in here earlier. Probably should have put those in a different thread, eh? But they weren't referring to the anime at all, since, like I said, I don't take that as cannon anyway. So I wasn't talking about Ash or anything.

The Pokemon world is made for a show though

Actually, it's made for a game. But that's nitpicking.

But that does lead one to wonder; if they don't charge for their services, how to the Pokemon Centers afford all their medical equipment? There's never been any indication that they've run on anything except maybe donations -- and we all know how unreliable and thrifty those can be. So unless people in the Pokemon world are a lot more generous than those in ours, how do the Pokemon Centers pay for everything?

Maybe they're connected to the pokemarts? Those are certainly popular enough, all they would have to do is overprice things a bit to cover both facilities. Seeing as there's not many alternative stores around, people would have little choice but to support pokecenters. It's a monopoly! Oh noes!

10 year olds certainly don't have enough money to finance such an institution, that's for sure.

Good thing the 10-year-olds aren't the only trainers out there. For example, I'm pretty sure most - if not all – of the 'Beauty's are over 10. Such large chests. Oh my.

I don't think that's the reason; a lot of kids shows go quite in-depth with things. It's just this *specific* show rarely does.

You can say that again. A consistent disappointment with the show is it's lack of detail or depth. I do enjoy seeing someone's interpretation of how some pokemon would move, but they've never explained such things as the economic structure of the regions. *sniffle*

 

[Martonimos]

The fact is the characters in Pokemon don't act like 10 year old's, and if they aged properly particularity in the case of Ash who would be 20 now.

That's true. They act like five-year-olds.

If that.

 

[Giratina!]

The Pokemon Trainers are claimed to be ten-year-olds, but they are proportioned like teenagers, look like teenagers, and act like teenagers. (This excludes, of course, older Pokemon trainers like Crasher Wake and Cyrus - if you can call him a Trainer.) If anime characters age properly - which they don't - Ash would be 20-ish by now, and Brock going on 24 or so. Instead, Ash acts and looks 15, and Brock is considerably more mature and way taller, so I think that he has, indeed, passed twenty by now.

 

[Martonimos]

Logical fallacies are bad for you, kids.

What I'm trying to say is that Ash acting like he's fifteen is definitely a matter of opinion. You (not you specifically, just you guys in general) shouldn't really be using that as part of your argument.

 

[pikagurl23]

Haha, I completely agree with this thread! I was actually thinking about this the other day when I was watching some of the older 2nd season episodes. They entrusted the safety of the world with a ten year old? I mean, come on! You entrust a ten year old to train creatures that could, quite possibly, be turned into killing machines. Yes, Ash may appear somewhat mature for his age when the series started (more so than most 10 year olds I know) and its almost crazy to think that he's been through all this drama and world saving stuff at the mere age of ten. Crazy stuff pokemon is...

 

[Burning Bush]

That's true. They act like five-year-olds.

If that.

Show me a ten year old that can live in the world 10 years and not be kidnapped? 18 I'd say.

 

[Cubone]

it would all works out for me, because i started playing (and consequently started training pokemon) at the age of 21

 

[Dan2]

Even ignoring the whole "owning monsters" thing, the fact that they can travel through the woods for days at a time at such a young age is the most unrealistic thing to me. I'm 21, and I really can't imagine having to walk from town to town. Especially going through caves!

 

[Yamato_Ishida]

Rather than attack all the negutive points to this, I'd like to make a statement about the positives, outline the benefits to a ten year old for undertaking this journey.


Teenagers are known for their rebellious attitudes and childish behavior. By going out on a journey such as this at this age, the child never truly becomes "A teenager." Instead their circumstances, the pokemon placed in their care and the necessity of providing for themselves, as well as dealing with those who would do them harm, builds their character and helps them to grow directly from children to adults.

Furthermore, with walking and cycling as the only common means of transportation, it would be great for many american children. I doubt there is a single person in this country who would not benefit from such a journey. Travelling manually is the best exercise there is because it lasts all day long, builds muscles (particularily for stamina), and burns fat, a common problem in our world today.

And to the issue of the dangers. How many evil adult trainers have you seen that are powerful? Only a handful correct, and most of them belong to evil organizations. The way I see it, there is a governing authority that oversees pokemon. Children are given time to be trainers and learn to use their pokemon, and unless those children become good trainers, their pokemon are stripped of them. The powerful pokemon of evil people belong to their teams, and are not officially registered. (as such they cannot use pokemon centers etc)

And one other thing of note. The trainers who grow quickly in their youth are few and far between. The "cool trainers" are among the few standard NPC's that are young and headed for pokemon league, and aside from Gary and the occasional Elite Four member, powerful trainers are all well up in years, generally at least 20 and sometimes going clear up into their 90's *cough* Hagatha *cough*

Well, thats all I have to say for now. If anybody has anything to add, or any points to debate, please feel free to do so. I'd love to see how this discussion develops.

Oh, and one last thing to throw out. Woodsmanship isn't dictated by age, I was a pretty good woodsman at the age of ten, its all a matter of learning what needs to be learned and putting it into practice.

 

[sparkyrotom]

Pokemon are different than wild animals due to the fact that they are nice friendly loving and caring sentient lifeforms whilst wild animals are not. In fact all ages will have a nice time with the cute little things.

 

[GrayDragonEmily]

Pokemon are different than wild animals due to the fact that they are nice friendly loving and caring sentient lifeforms whilst wild animals are not. In fact all ages will have a nice time with the cute little things.

I agree.