Would you let your 14 year old watch Family Guy

[suejai]

I have been holding DS14 off for years from watching Family Guy. All his friends watch, but I still don't think it's appropriate. I'm starting to crumble. Still going to do what I feel is right but I just wondered what the general consensus was.

 

[The_Horned_King]

I have been holding DS14 off for years from watching Family Guy. All his friends watch, but I still don't think it's appropriate. I'm starting to crumble. Still going to do what I feel is right but I just wondered what the general consensus was.

All depends on yoru DS..not knowing you or him I can't make any real judgement, but I would say it has to be based on his maturity level and his ability to understand jokes on a comedy/cartoon as compared to real like.

Alot os Seth McFalines jokes are 100% fine for teens like yoru son, but he definately pushes the limit atleast a few times every show.

How open of a family are you? I would say if your going to sit down and watch right along with him there is nothing to be worried about. At 14 I bet he's heard most of it (what your trying to protect him from) already form his friends espically since you have said many of them watch it.

In the end you need ot make the decision, The best judeg of the situation is you after all your the only one that knows if you have taught him well enough and if he is mature enough to watch it. I've met plety of kids who are mature enough and I've met plenty who are way to childish to be watching shows like Family guy...only you know where you son falls in that scale.

 

[ginna74]

well I agree with above but...


I let my kids watch it with no problem. I really only get strict when it comes to HEAVY violence (like the real stuff that is shown online not freddy krugger, the kids like that stuff) and nudity. I myself don't think family guy is bad what so ever and think it is actually really funny and my kids do too. they have probably heard worse in school lol.

 

[Macca1111]

When I was teaching I was really suprised that my 7th grade boys LOVED Family Guy - I didn't think of it as a show for kids their age. However, they didn't seem to get anything bad from it...I feel like most of the jokes are aimed at people my age, since Seth McFarlane is my age, but not because they're crude...because they're pop culture references from my growing up. It's up to you...my mom hated the idea of the Simpsons and I didn't get to watch the first year...after she saw it, she got that it was mostly witty and really funny, and now she watches South Park with me too. It really depends on how he will handle it, but at 14 I would think he would be fine. Also as a teacher, I can confirm he IS hearing worse at school. Good luck!

 

[MoniqueU]

Does your son watch the news on a regular basis? I was just making a post on the dis last week in regards to the movie the Hangover. If your kids watch the coverage of Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole smith I am thinking there is nothing in the movie the Hangover or the show the family guy that could possibly harm them more then that. I am a news junkie so my kids have seen all the strange stuff out there. I censor very little and my kids are pretty smart so they grasp what is going on with some of these holywood fruitcakes. I can't see small print well so my kids will read us magazine to me too LOL.

 

[CathrynRose]

My (now 14 & 18) do and have for several years.

My 14 y/o - after they remodeled HM - says "goin up the stairs and goin down the stairs and going up the sideways stairs" whenever we go in that stairway room, now. LOL!

But yes ...they're big fans.

 

[portocall]

I grew up with very strict parents who didn't let me watch much of anything. Even the Loony Tunes required a parent to remind me that if I jumped off a cliff or blew myself up I wouldn't live. As an adult, there are a lot of things that I can't relate with my peers about when they talk about old shows like Punky Brewster or Cheers. That said, I did have a great childhood where I left the house first thing in the morning and didn't show back up until dinner.

I do let my boys watch Family Guy. I don't restrict them from too much tv. I find that most of the jokes go way over their heads. Kinda like Disney movies where years later I went OHHHHhhhh, got it.

Don't let him watch just because his peers are however, but because you find him mature enough to handle the content.

 

[Gina]

DS (13) has been watching Family Guy for several years. I can't imagine either of our lives without Family Guy, or The Simpsons, or South Park. But I have always been a big believer in letting things like t.v. shows be not only entertainment, but an avenue for conversation about sticky subjects.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I grew up with very strict parents who didn't let me watch much of anything. Even the Loony Tunes required a parent to remind me that if I jumped off a cliff or blew myself up I wouldn't live. As an adult, there are a lot of things that I can't relate with my peers about when they talk about old shows like Punky Brewster or Cheers. That said, I did have a great childhood where I left the house first thing in the morning and didn't show back up until dinner.

I do let my boys watch Family Guy. I don't restrict them from too much tv. I find that most of the jokes go way over their heads. Kinda like Disney movies where years later I went OHHHHhhhh, got it.

Don't let him watch just because his peers are however, but because you find him mature enough to handle the content.

I just watched a comedian talking about that. He said, "I left the house for 13 hours and there was no amber alert! I stopped back at home and dad asks "are you in for the night?"

"No, just gettin' a flashlight."

Mikeeeee

 

[Free4Life11]

I would because he can always watch it online, but I personally find it stupid and gross. The one episode with the horse "stuff" in the fridge was nasty!

 

[shortbun]

DS (13) has been watching Family Guy for several years. I can't imagine either of our lives without Family Guy, or The Simpsons, or South Park. But I have always been a big believer in letting things like t.v. shows be not only entertainment, but an avenue for conversation about sticky subjects.

You seriously watch this show and think the subject matter is appropriate for young children? I'm not pushing my nearly 14yo to be that advanced in his education. I find their shows to be very adult in nature most of the time and ok for maybe 15-16yo high school students but certainly not 10-12 yo kids. I'm pretty liberal and have had very open conversations with my son but their inuendo is so sexual or violent towards each other sometimes not to mention graphic verbally. I just can not see myself using this show for educational purposes.

 

[shortbun]

I just watched a comedian talking about that. He said, "I left the house for 13 hours and there was no amber alert! I stopped back at home and dad asks "are you in for the night?"

"No, just gettin' a flashlight."

Mikeeeee

I regret that children are not able to wander their neighborhoods like this anymore in the summer. I have fond memories of checking in occasionally and literally 'getting a flashlight' and going back out. We lived in the country but in a new 'development.' We played Flashlight tag and kick the can in the dark until mothers began ringing their dinner bells for bedtime or calling our names.
Not the same as watching Family Guy, lol!

 

[Christine]

My 14 y/o is a BIG fan of Family Guy and has been so for about a year.

I, personally, think the show is hilarious and I love Brian and Stewie. There is definitely some sexuality humor and I have had to explain some of the jokes to my son because he totally didn't get it.

He actually owns some DVDs. Many of them are full of the "F" word and I kind of just shudder when I hear it but, I know he's heard that word before and he knows not to use it himself (at least around me).

I'm not saying to let your son watch. You really have to know your child and their maturity level. I don't think I would have been comfortable with my son watching it much earlier than he did because he's pretty immature, but I'm ok with it now.

 

[pat fan]

Ughh...I hate that show, and a couple of the others that were mentioned. I would not let my DS watch it, in fact, my boys are now 17 & 20 and it is still not allowed if I am in the room. I just find that kind of "humor" offensive and unnecessary. I know some people love it, but I am not one of them. I didn't let my kids watch it until they were like 15/16, and like I said, I had to out of the room, and I was not leaving the room just so they could watch it, I had to be out of the room for some other reason. JMO, but it's just garbage and kids should be kids, not listening to that kind of "grown-up" rudeness, although I'm a grown-up and I sure don't talk/act like that.

OT. As to my last comment, why DO they refer to "rude" humor as adult humor? I don't find it at all funny

 

[Jaimee]

I let my ds 11 watch also. We both enjoy the show. I agree with the above poster who said it opens up lots of conversations, especially the creepy old guy ( I can't think of his name right now). Some of the jokes he gets, others he doesn't.

His favorite episode is the "Bird is the Word"..b-b-b-bird bird bird, bird is the word..

 

[Christine]

Ughh...I hate that show, and a couple of the others that were mentioned. I would not let my DS watch it, in fact, my boys are now 17 & 20 and it is still not allowed if I am in the room. I just find that kind of "humor" offensive and unnecessary. I know some people love it, but I am not one of them. I didn't let my kids watch it until they were like 15/16, and like I said, I had to out of the room, and I was not leaving the room just so they could watch it, I had to be out of the room for some other reason. JMO, but it's just garbage and kids should be kids, not listening to that kind of "grown-up" rudeness, although I'm a grown-up and I sure don't talk/act like that.

OT. As to my last comment, why DO they refer to "rude" humor as adult humor? I don't find it at all funny

I don't think "rude" humor is adult humor but "crude" humor, yes.

Just different strokes, I suppose. Of course, some of the Family Guy jokes are lame/stupid and I've rolled my eyes on many shows. But there is some very sharp, veiled, and clever humor in there at times which is my favorite kind. I understand, though, that people have different likes/preferences on humor.

 

[JEmaryland]

Yes, I would let him watch it. At 12, my favorite show was South Park. I don't watch that anymore (just got bored with it), but my husband turned me on to Family Guy and I think it's hilarious. Really, if your kids can't understand that television doesn't equal reality, I think you have bigger problems than a TV show.

 

[slo]

I know nothing about this show, but I just want to support you on your decision to not let your son watch this show, for whatever the reason (because I know nothing about the show).

I support you, because I just started allowing my 10, almost 11, year old DD watch Spongebob. It was hard to not allow this, because Spongebob is everywhere, marketed towards little kids (even though it's rated TV7), and my DD's friends all watched it since forever. I held to my beliefs about this show, and refused to let my DD to watch it.

Now, I have another DD who is 5, and I don't allow her to watch it either. My 10yr knows she can't watch it when her sister is in the room, and because that's almost all the time, my 10yr old still can't watch it that much.

Anyway....where I'm going with this, is even though the masses may allow something, it doesn't mean you have to. I applaud you in your efforts to keep your son from this show, and don't cave because of others - stay strong!!!!







Disclaimer.........my beliefs about Spongebob Squarepants in no way is insulting to those who thing Spongebob is great. This is my opinion only, and is in no way being snarky towards anyone here.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'm a bad mom - all of my kids watch Family Guy! Most of the stuff goes over the little ones' heads, and ds11 and dd12 (almost 13) watch PG13 and some R movies (ds11 came back from his friend's house, after seeing a SAW movie - his friend has 2 older siblings). I don't think they would be shocked or offended by anything in that show (and it's really funny).

 

[Sparx]

my boyfriend loves the show. i just asked him, and he said that the old family guy episodes (before cartoon network) are better for younger kids than new family guy(cartoon network.) he says cartoon network made it more vulgar than it was.

but he also said he watched it when he was fourteen.