Kids and R rated Movies

[RoqueC]

Look, I know not alot of people will agree with me here, but here it goes.

I think, as a human race, it is completely ridiculous to hide the truth from children. Sex, violence, bad language, it's all part of human nature, and of our lives. I don't think sex is anything to be ashamed of, it's nature, and why should we hide nature from our children? Well, that's my thought.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I saw 8 Mile & it was not appropriate for 14yos.


I was a sophmore in HS & we had to get a signed permission slip to watch Far & Away (which is PG-13 & we were all 14-16, but I guess the teacher was doing a little CYA), yet in 5th grade my sister watched Glory (if I remember correctly, it's a pretty hard R).


Laurabearz, great story...sounds like something my father would do.

 

[RitaZ.]

Roque~ I totally agree that sex is a natural thing and that it's nothing to be ashamed of. After all, if it wasn't for sex, most children wouldn't be here. I don't think that parents are trying to hide sex from their children (not all, anyway). I think that parents "want" and "need" to be the ones to discuss sex with their children, not a Hollywood movie.

The problem that I have is the way sex is depicted in the movies, many times degrading women and in violent ways. Eventually our kids will be exposed to all of those things. Hopefully, as parents, we will have taught them well to be able to handle any situation that comes their way, including sex. Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean that a kid is emotionally equipped to handle such scenarios/situations.

JMO

 

[Kallison]

In our school district we are allowed to show PG-13 in middle school and up. I felt bad because I showed The Sandlot and forgot about the SH%* word.

 

[ead79]

I do not think it is appropriate for the school to take kids under 17 to see an R rated movie. My parents would have been furious if the school had done that with me. I didn't see my first R rated movie until about 2 months before I turned 17, and my parents approved me going to see it (I think it was R only due to language, and my parents knew that I didn't use curse words unless I mistakenly slipped).

 

[Chuck S]

I don't understand the school's policy of a "blanket permission slip". When I was in HS we had to get a permission slip for EVERY off campus function, except those within walking distance, and slips were MAILED at the beginning of the year, informing families of the locations the school considered " within walking distance" - it was the bowling alley that was used for PE on rainy days, or when marching band season was over.

 

[AMClvsMKY]

Wow, I would not be a happy parent at all. My oldest DS13 is not allowed to see R rated movies and only some PG -13 ones. The coaches acted inappropriately, imho, by taking the kids to see the movie without parent consent ahead of time.

Did the school approve of this extra activity before the coaches left with the kids that day and are they standing behind the coaches decision now?

 

[Kermit]

I would be extremely upset. Schools shouldn't be allowed to show r-rated movies to any students, even those who are over 17. The fact of the matter is that parents have the right to decide what their kids can watch. Even if the powers that be think that r-rated movies are okay for people over 17, parents should still reserve veto power if the child is still living with them.

I'd also call the theater manager. You aren't supposed to be admitted without a parent or guardian. The people working there knew that the coach wasn't the guardian for all those kids.

 

[Buckalew]

In my DH's words, he'd be crawling someone's frame!

There is no way the school or anyone else will decide when DD is ready to watch an R-rated film. The 3 of us will decide. Period.

 

[swanmom]

So sharbar, any word from the coaches, principal, school board about this? I'm curious if this caused a reaction among other parents.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Just because you signed permission slip doesn't mean that you giive blanket permission for anything. Like, you didn't give permission to go to a strip joint, or 'make out point' (or wherever that may be) or to a cult meeting.

Interesteding -Another post right here is about a 12 YO getting his Binaca taken away due to a zero tolerance policy, yet a 14 YO can be taken to an R rated movie!!??!!

Huh?

 

[kylara]

Well I agree with all those who said it was inappropriate. It is one thing for a parent to decide that an R rated movie is okay for the child to see...after all they are also the same people to discuss it with them afterwards. But it is not up to the coaches to decide. They should have realized that there is a big difference between giving permission for the ropes teambuilder and giving permission for an R rated movie.

 

[Planogirl]

I would be very angry and on my way to see someone at the school. This decision is not up to the school but the parents IMO.

 

[piratesmate]

I'm just curious as to whether you ever talked to anyone about this & what the outcome was.

Deb

 

[Zurg]

Let's see:

Coach decides to take underage kids to see a movie.

Possibly Violent.
Possibly age inappropriate language.
Possibly sexualy explicit.
(it is where the rating comes from)

Coach doesn't tell parents.


This coach may be ok. Stupid beyond all belief but OK.
This is also the behavior a predator uses to desensitise victims.


I would not let it pass.

 

[ASFCurly]

I looked 8 mile up- a movie that I as a 23 year old won't even see myself, and it said, MPAA Rating: R for strong language, sexuality, some violence and drug use.

I think that the coach was wrong for taking the kids to see it, I would be furious, but it is not the movie theaters fault, at least at my theater, a coach would be able to take kids to see an R movie because they are of age and usually acting in the place of parents and guardians. If a 21 year old showed up with a 16 year old to see a R movie they would be able to take them, but a 19 year old would not.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I was seeing R rated movies in HS(I got my mom to buy the tickets for me).But I was seen as mature enough by my mom which helped.