Taking a 12 y.o. to Hooters to celebrate his B-day?

[EROS]

SAVE YOUR CHILDREN FROM THIS EVIL VIXEN

 

[Serena]

There is no way you can tell me it's appropriate for 12 year old boys to go to Hooters for a birthday party.

I'm not even getting into the debate on whether or not it's demeaning for women. It is just something that should wait. Parents shouldn't be in such a hurry for their children to grow up.

Chuckie Cheese?, no, I don't think that's an alternative either.

JTB, definitely has a point.

And Eros, I have no problem with adults making the decision to dance, or to eat there, or strip or whatever. Each person decides what is best for them.
I'm not happy I missed the Chippendales last week.

But not our children.

 

[Fantasia Girl]

SAVE YOUR CHILDREN FROM THIS EVIL VIXEN

Please, I do not think anyone here thinks the waitresses at Hooters are evil.... I am all for the place for adults! I would just choose to raise my child as a gentlemen...and when he is old enough to make his OWN decisions....he can go to the restaurant...or anywhere else he pleases.....until then it's Game Works or Chuck E Cheese for birthday parties!

Eros...if you only knew MY past, I could make YOU blush! Believe me, I have NO problem with this place (FOR ADULTS)

 

[Mermaid02]

I'm saving my kids from something alright....

 

[Lucky4me]

The food is lousy. Along the lines of TGIF's but not as good. Chicken wings seem to be their specialty but even those were just so so the one time we ate there. Personally I could think of better places for a 12yo's birthday. The beach being one of them, although they'd definitely see more skin there than they would at Hooters! lol

As far as demeaning women, I would have to say that the place itself is not at fault. It's a business. Hooters makes money, the waitresses make money, the patrons see young girls in sexy short shorts and tank tops. Everyone is happy.

Blondie I don't think it'll scar your son for life if you allow him to go, but it is a little strange....

 

[Blondie]

I'm on my way to work.........I'll let you all know what I decided tomorrow AM!

In the mean time everyone play nice!

 

[Serena]

Play nice?! But he did it first!

I don't think it would scar him for life either, it's just something I would do as the mom of the birthday boy.

edited*** I mean wouldn't do.

 

[Kermit]

I don't think that Hooters is a horrible place for adults. I'd be a little disappointed if it were my DH's favorite hang out, but I know that it's easy to see a lot more other places, even at the mall sometimes.

The problem is that 12 year old boys need to learn to respect the female body before they become more hormonally-charged. (Actually, 12 year olds now may be a little more hormonal than they were when I was that age. Since girls are obviously developing younger, boys may be too.) I want my sons to grow up thinking that women's bodies are functional and something to respect. I'd much rather a 12 year old see a woman breastfeeding discreetly than a woman in a sports bra. Boys will all figure out in due time the sexual nature of both men's and women's bodies. There's no need to force that realization on them.

I also don't like the word "hooters." They're breasts. They're wonderful objects capable of sustaining human life. They're not a means by which to judge women.

And another thing. Wearing shiny hose with shorts is stupid.

 

[wovenwonder]

Going as a party with other 12 year old boys is not appropriate in my book. I would not let my child go. This may seem double standard --- but I would consider having my son go with my husband and I as a family. He would see us showing respect to our servers (they do have guy servers too). Where as the atmosphere that would likely be created by a bunch of raging hormones would not be one that is showing respect --- in my opinion.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Blondie
What do you think about that?

My son's friend is celebrating his 12th B-day today, and his mother has offered to take his friends (my two sons included) to Hooter's for lunch.

I know it's not a strip club or anything along those lines.....but is it appropriate for a 12 year old to celebrate his b-day lunch there?

I don't now what to make of it!

My opinion is that Hooters is no place for a 12 year old boy. The Birthday Boy's mom should have her head examined for planning a party there for her son and his friends. Hey kids! Let's go have lunch and ogle some scantily clad women!

 

[Deb in IA]

OK, I gotta put my 0.02 in now . . .

Yes, you can see more skin at the beach. But, let's face it; the biggest gimmick to Hooters is the babes. It's a pseudo-sports bar and restaurant that features curvy young women in tight low-cut tops and short shorts. That's what they are famous for (and it is certainly NOT the food!) And the target audience is 20 to 40 year old guys.

Sex sells, folks. And Hooters is using sex to sell their burgers.

Now, it is certainly not illegal to have a birthday party at Hooters for a 12 year old, but one wonders how APPROPRIATE it is. Maybe for an 18 year old, but 12?

Which brings me to my main point: the big push for our children to emulate "adult" behaviors. As a pediatrician, and as a mom, I confess that I am saddened by the 4 year olds in beauty pageants, the 7 year old Britney wanna-be's with their bare midriffs and jeans down to their netherlands, and the 12 year olds hanging out at Hooters.

Why the big rush? Why can't kids be kids? Their loss of innocence, wonder, and just being a kid is gone forever. They grow up fast enough as it is; I just don't see the point of hastening it.



By the way, our 11 1/2 year old DD doesn't like MTV; she'd rather watch Cartoon Network or Disney, anxiously awaits her subscription to Disney Adventures, not Teen Magazine, and reads Archie comics at the grocery store checkout, not National Enquirer.
I'm sure she'll grow up soon enough; right now I'm happy she's not.

 

[EROS]

NICE........WINGS!!!

 

[RitaZ.]

And another thing. Wearing shiny hose with shorts is stupid.

LOL. Kermit, I agree. They are just trying to hide their cellulite.

Personally, I wouldn't take my son and his friends to Hooters. I agree with Deb about our children growing up too fast these days. Let them be children, they will be adults soon enough. What's the rush?

 

[Saffron]

I don't know that as a waitress I'd feel that comfortable wearing a Hooters uniform waiting on a party of a bunch of 12 year old adolescent boys ????? That would feel kinda creepy to me.

Haha! Edited because my comment read as if the boys would be wearing Hooters uniforms.

 

[EROS]

Hey, I used to be a waiter for 12 year old birthday parties for GIRLS..............they loved me . I didn't feel the least bit self-conscious.........even in a tight t-shirt and tight jeans .........

 

[POLLY ANN]

EROS, you're a sick puppy.

 

[EROS]

EROS as a pup..................BEFORE he went to Hooters

 

[Poohbear123]

Oh, and I have SEEN 12 and Under at Hooters, with thier Dad's and Mom's in tow. As far as a BIRTHDAY party......NO! Not for a 12 year old. Besides, WHAT else is there to do at Hooters but drink beer, eat chicken wings, and watch(Gasp!) Sports on TV??! By the way, the HOOTERS name is a synonym for OWLS!! They do go HOO HOO you know!!

 

[Mermaid02]

Blondie is there time for you and your dh to go for lunch or dinner and check the place out? That way you would know exactly what you would be sending your child/children to. If not..... I would take Deb's opinion heavily into account as children are really her area of expertise and she is a professional.

 

[EROS]

ARMED (with wings ) and DANGEROUS .......