Vent- Children in Movies.

[IloveAsschers13]

So I know that this has been a topic before and we have all had our fair shares of children/babies in the movie theater where we were seeing a movie.

BUT

I have another vent about this. My school shows movies in one of the big classrooms on the weekends (500 people room) and it's movies that haven't come out on video yet. Tonight I saw "Precious." I really liked it. So I am horrified by the things I am seeing on the TV. Can't imagine it happening in real life.

Then the lights go on and I turn around to leave. There is a mother with her FOUR children ages ranging from about 7-12.

I AM HORRIFIED.

She let her children sit through scenes of a young woman being raped by her FATHER, swearing, abuse, a baby being thrown to the side, numerous other things I can think of.
I feel like there should be a law that children under a certain age shouldn't be allowed in movies- not just with an adult, they just shouldn't be allowed to go in at ALL.

What is wrong with people these days?

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 2/28/2010 9:08:05 PM
Author:IloveAsschers13
So I know that this has been a topic before and we have all had our fair shares of children/babies in the movie theater where we were seeing a movie.

BUT

I have another vent about this. My school shows movies in one of the big classrooms on the weekends (500 people room) and it''s movies that haven''t come out on video yet. Tonight I saw ''Precious.'' I really liked it. So I am horrified by the things I am seeing on the TV. Can''t imagine it happening in real life.

Then the lights go on and I turn around to leave. There is a mother with her FOUR children ages ranging from about 7-12.

I AM HORRIFIED.

She let her children sit through scenes of a young woman being raped by her FATHER, swearing, abuse, a baby being thrown to the side, numerous other things I can think of.
I feel like there should be a law that children under a certain age shouldn''t be allowed in movies- not just with an adult, they just shouldn''t be allowed to go in at ALL.

What is wrong with people these days?

ILA,
I hear you. It''s not a movie I would ever bring kids to. Bad judgement by the parent for sure.

Here comes the but. Why would a school be showing such a film? And how do they get it before release on DVD??


I think the school has some responsibility in this.

Why show movies with such adult content?? I haven''t seen the movie yet.

What is it rated? I am thinking R??

Is this a money maker for the school??

I think if so, fine but choose more PG movies to show.

I am confused by this, never heard of schools doing this.

 

[elrohwen]

Date: 2/28/2010 9:48:20 PM
Author: Kaleigh
ILA,
I hear you. It's not a movie I would ever bring kids to. Bad judgement by the parent for sure.

Here comes the but. Why would a school be showing such a film? And how do they get it before release on DVD??


I think the school has some responsibility in this.

Why show movies with such adult content?? I haven't seen the movie yet.

What is it rated? I am thinking R??

Is this a money maker for the school??

I think if so, fine but choose more PG movies to show.

I am confused by this, never heard of schools doing this.

I think she means a college? My college showed tons of movies, many rated R. The local people could come and see them as well, but it was up to them to check the ratings, just like any other movie theater. Why is the school obligated to show family friendly movies?

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 2/28/2010 9:57:58 PM
Author: elrohwen

Date: 2/28/2010 9:48:20 PM
Author: Kaleigh
ILA,
I hear you. It''s not a movie I would ever bring kids to. Bad judgement by the parent for sure.

Here comes the but. Why would a school be showing such a film? And how do they get it before release on DVD??


I think the school has some responsibility in this.

Why show movies with such adult content?? I haven''t seen the movie yet.

What is it rated? I am thinking R??

Is this a money maker for the school??

I think if so, fine but choose more PG movies to show.

I am confused by this, never heard of schools doing this.

I think she means a college? My college showed tons of movies, many rated R. The local people could come and see them as well, but it was up to them to check the ratings, just like any other movie theater. Why is the school obligated to show family friendly movies?

My bad, I was thinking school, not college.
I did say the parent showed poor judgement.

Forget the rest of my post, it''s no longer relevant.

 

[elrohwen]

Date: 2/28/2010 10:06:51 PM
Author: Kaleigh

My bad, I was thinking school, not college.
I did say the parent showed poor judgement.

Forget the rest of my post, it's no longer relevant.

Haha, ok, I was just confused by your post, but it all makes sense now! I definitely agree that the parent didn't use any judgement! Sometimes I wonder if parents just say "Let's go to a movie. Oh, how about this one - I vaguely heard it was good" without looking up the plot, ratings, etc. It makes me

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 2/28/2010 10:10:15 PM
Author: elrohwen

Date: 2/28/2010 10:06:51 PM
Author: Kaleigh

My bad, I was thinking school, not college.
I did say the parent showed poor judgement.

Forget the rest of my post, it''s no longer relevant.

Haha, ok, I was just confused by your post, but it all makes sense now! I definitely agree that the parent didn''t use any judgement! Sometimes I wonder if parents just say ''Let''s go to a movie. Oh, how about this one - I vaguely heard it was good'' without looking up the plot, ratings, etc. It makes me

This is a very serious movie. Very tragic, I am even scared to see it. The plot of abuse is horrific. Not for the faint of heart.....
That Mom had no business taking her kids to see it...

 

[junebug17]

Kaleigh, I thought the OP meant a grade school, so you''re not alone!

I agree that that mother showed really bad judgement in bringing those young children to such an adult, graphic movie. My guess is she didn''t bother to research the movie as to content, plot, rating etc. I"m sure her kids were upset by what they saw, bad move on her part.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 2/28/2010 10:27:02 PM
Author: junebug17
Kaleigh, I thought the OP meant a grade school, so you''re not alone!

I agree that that mother showed really bad judgement in bringing those young children to such an adult, graphic movie. My guess is she didn''t bother to research the movie as to content, plot, rating etc. I''m sure her kids were upset by what they saw, bad move on her part.

Glad I wasn''t the only one.

 

[IloveAsschers13]

Sorry, I guess I should have clarified- I am in college. I guess I am just shocked that this parent went out of their way to take her children with her to this movie- I mean it''s cheap but you have to seek out what they are showing which weekend. I had to search websites to find it and I go to the school!

I would have a hard time selling this parent the tickets were they going through the line. I mean it''s not a real movie theater just a classroom.

 

[janinegirly]

I agree, completely outrageous.

This is a bit different but when I lived in NYC we went to a movie in Times Sq and I saw a woman with a BABY (infant in arms) during a rated R movie way up in the front. I was floored. But then the person next to me was also texting the whole time. Last time we went to that theater.

People scare me sometimes.

 

[IloveAsschers13]

I agree that the baby thing is ridiculous as well, if not in my eyes kind of... tacky? Not sure if that''s the word, but I really don''t get why babies can''t just stay home instead of going to the theater. I guess I can understand newborns who sleep all the time but past about 6 mos, they are wanting to be mobile, making noise, and can''t be quiet for that long.

I guess my biggest dilemma is that although these kids might not have understood everything, they are at an age that they will likely remember seeing this and have ideas. They are SPONGES. They can''t process everything but boy, they can process it in a different way than we, as adults, can. Makes my stomach turn.

 

[janinegirly]

Date: 2/28/2010 10:55:55 PM
Author: IloveAsschers13
I agree that the baby thing is ridiculous as well, if not in my eyes kind of... tacky? Not sure if that's the word, but I really don't get why babies can't just stay home instead of going to the theater. I guess I can understand newborns who sleep all the time but past about 6 mos, they are wanting to be mobile, making noise, and can't be quiet for that long.


I guess my biggest dilemma is that although these kids might not have understood everything, they are at an age that they will likely remember seeing this and have ideas. They are SPONGES. They can't process everything but boy, they can process it in a different way than we, as adults, can. Makes my stomach turn.

Tacky is an understatement. There were some scary people in this theatre! Baby was crying, it was 10PM..I mean all round ridiculous.

They are absolutely sponges at that age. I can remember my mom staying on a channel too long and being frightened and I never forgot it. And it wasn't even a horror movie, just kind of creepy music as part of a mystery--I was probably 5 or 6.

 

[Kaleigh]

They are sponges. My brother took me to see the Exorcist.

Oh he wanted to see it so badly and told me how awesome it would be. I said nope we aren't allowed to see it. He said I know but who will know?? They will be out all night, and you can say we went to see Tommy the Pin ball wizard which was playing at the same theatre same time...
So off we went. I was horrified. Of course my brother loved the movie. He kept saying isn't this great?? I was like no get me out of here.

I am guessing back then there were no age restrictions like there are today??

I went home shocked outta my gord, and kept the light on.

Parents came home late after being out all night. They said why do you have the lights on...

I spilled the beans. I couldn't keep it in.

Here's the kicker. I got grounded.

DB got off scott free.

We laughed about that for years. I was like you took me, you were in charge and I get grounded???

 

[asscherisme]

Date: 2/28/2010 11:34:04 PM
Author: Kaleigh
They are sponges. My brother took me to see the Exorcist.

Oh he wanted to see it so badly and told me how awesome it would be. I said nope we aren''t allowed to see it. He said I know but who will know?? They will be out all night, and you can say we went to see Tommy the Pin ball wizard which was playing at the same theatre same time...
So off we went. I was horrified. Of course my brother loved the movie. He kept saying isn''t this great?? I was like no get me out of here.

I am guessing back then there were no age restrictions like there are today??

I went home shocked outta my gord, and kept the light on.

Parents came home late after being out all night. They said why do you have the lights on...

I spilled the beans. I couldn''t keep it in.

Here''s the kicker. I got grounded.

DB got off scott free.

We laughed about that for years. I was like you took me, you were in charge and I get grounded???

Kaleigh, my brother took me to see The Shining. I was 11 and had nightmares for years after that. It turned me off horror movies for life! The age thing is weird too because he is only 2 1/2 years older than me. He was 14 and the movie theater was about 1/2 mile from my house. I do remember walking there. It was definately a different era than today.

I laughed at your post because I leaned that tattling on my brother often meant he would somehow manipultate it to be me who got into trouble too. As adults though he apologized for lots of stuff he did to me as kids.

And as bad as that was, I think what the mother did taking her kids to see Precious is worse becaause it was the MOM.

As a mom myself, I can''t imagine why she would not walk out. For those saying perhaps she did not reseach it and thats why she was there, OK that might explain why she went. But it does not excuse her from staying. Once she saw the content, she should have walked out. Staying at a movie like that and exposing your kids to that is selfish and irresponsible in my opinion.

 

[MissMina]

I remember feeling the same way when I saw "South Park The Movie" at a theater full of young children. As the film progressed I thought/hoped the parents might get up and walk out.
But no one did.

 

[jewelz617]

I see what you''re saying. It''s probably too early for most kids to be seeing that. I wouldn''t take a 7 year old to Precious.

But I definitely grew up in a household that was more of the "If it''s a well done performance (movie, play, musical) and it has a message, than people of all ages should see it."

My parents took me to see RENT when I was very young (AIDS was the predominant theme) and it was great. I was taken to Schindler''s List when I was 9 and it was one of the most profound things I''ve ever felt before. I cried for days, but I felt like I had learned so much. I was also taken to The Cider House Rules when I was younger and we talked about it after over dinner. My mother is a drama teacher and I can remember watching movies as a young child that other people probably found totally inappropriate. Movies like Casino and Goodfellas, The Godfather (she went through a mafia kick where we watched the whole series) and even The Dead Poets Society, which dealt with depression and suicide. She rented things like The Professional, DIVA, and we went to see lots of violence and nudity riddled operas and theater as well. I went to see a play about the Marquis de Sade when I was maybe 7 and I giggled the whole time.

The point of all my rambling is, if my parents felt the movie or art had substance and a message, I was able to see it. That was their parenting approach.

Would I want my daughter watching some of the stuff I did at a young age? I''m not sure yet. But whatever I do choose, it will have to be something I''m confident will enrich rather than traumatize! Each kid is different. Not every kid can handle seeing things with more adult themes. The way I was raised is very different from say (this is just for example) a kid who has never even been taken to the county fair. Some kids will have nightmares, some will appreciate the experience.

It''s all about what is appropriate. And taking your kids to see something like Precious maybe just because no baby sitters were available is not appropriate. And taking a BABY to a movie theater? That''s just bad manners. Plus, what baby wants to be in a loud theater with a bunch of strangers?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I can''t imagine taking children to a movie like that and furthermore, taking kids to a movie without first looking to see what the movie is about! Regardless if DH and I are planning to go by ourselves, or whatever, we ALWAYS double check the plot of the movie.

My parents were more strict that I am. . .but they let me read Amityville Horror in elementary school! lol Not sure if a book is more or less of an issue than a movie.

 

[jewelerman]

Date: 2/28/2010 10:55:55 PM
Author: IloveAsschers13
I agree that the baby thing is ridiculous as well, if not in my eyes kind of... tacky? Not sure if that''s the word, but I really don''t get why babies can''t just stay home instead of going to the theater. I guess I can understand newborns who sleep all the time but past about 6 mos, they are wanting to be mobile, making noise, and can''t be quiet for that long.

I guess my biggest dilemma is that although these kids might not have understood everything, they are at an age that they will likely remember seeing this and have ideas. They are SPONGES. They can''t process everything but boy, they can process it in a different way than we, as adults, can. Makes my stomach turn.

very true!kids are sponges and young children(and many adults also) will be affected by this type of adult oriented material to some degree.movies have rating for a reason.The mother made a bad choice.

 

[HVVS]

Date: 2/28/2010 9:08:05 PM
Author:IloveAsschers13
So I know that this has been a topic before and we have all had our fair shares of children/babies in the movie theater where we were seeing a movie.


BUT


I have another vent about this. My school shows movies in one of the big classrooms on the weekends (500 people room) and it''s movies that haven''t come out on video yet. Tonight I saw ''Precious.'' I really liked it. So I am horrified by the things I am seeing on the TV. Can''t imagine it happening in real life.


Then the lights go on and I turn around to leave. There is a mother with her FOUR children ages ranging from about 7-12.

I AM HORRIFIED.

She let her children sit through scenes of a young woman being raped by her FATHER, swearing, abuse, a baby being thrown to the side, numerous other things I can think of.

I feel like there should be a law that children under a certain age shouldn''t be allowed in movies- not just with an adult, they just shouldn''t be allowed to go in at ALL.


What is wrong with people these days?

Well, judging from the daily police reports in this s-hole of a town that I reside in, the kids have already seen that at home. Seriously. There are daily arrests for this stuff. Drinking, drugs, sex with minors, domestic abuse. The police now charge them with "terroristic threats and use of missles" for having to make yet another domestic violence call. It''s such a sad record of the decline of America''s former industrial and affluent cities.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

I had a similar experience weekend before last.

DH and I went to see Precious. We had to drive outside our neighborhood to find a theatre that was still showing it, but I wanted to see it before next week's Academy Awards. The area was nice (upper middle-class), and suburban (similar to ours).

We went to a 6:30p screening- it was a small theatre, with only about 30 folks in it (so about 1/3 full). Just before the lights go down, we see a couple sit about 2 rows ahead of us, near the oppposite aisle. Didn't think much of it, and started to get into the movie.

The baby starts fussing about an hour into the movie, and the parents let it go. Then baby starts crying, and everyone is "shhhhing". Mom finally gets up, and I figure she's left the room. She comes back 10 minutes later, says something to Dad, and he gets up. Again, I figure they've left the room. Nope. We hear loud crying this time, and someone saying "you need to keep your b***ch wife in line." - this is happening in the rear of the theatre. I turn and see the manager and a couple of people crowding around. they're not too loud, so i'm able to continue watching but am stewing in my seat.

they're not there at the end, when we're all filing out. I hear that the commotion in the back was because the baby couple didn't end up leaving the theatre- they set up camp in the rear and didn't do anything about the crying baby. A woman spoke up and that's when Dad got in her face and said the line I quoted above. WOW! The Manager came in at the baby couple's request and asked the OTHER couple to leave. I heard this and was PISSED. A group of us then went to the customer service area and basically told the manager that he was in the wrong here.

So not only were we dealing with irresponsible parents, but an idiot Manager. Needless to say, I will NEVER return to that theatre.

 

[IloveAsschers13]

Date: 3/1/2010 8:49:31 AM
Author: PinkAsscher678
I see what you''re saying. It''s probably too early for most kids to be seeing that. I wouldn''t take a 7 year old to Precious.


But I definitely grew up in a household that was more of the ''If it''s a well done performance (movie, play, musical) and it has a message, than people of all ages should see it.''


My parents took me to see RENT when I was very young (AIDS was the predominant theme) and it was great. I was taken to Schindler''s List when I was 9 and it was one of the most profound things I''ve ever felt before. I cried for days, but I felt like I had learned so much. I was also taken to The Cider House Rules when I was younger and we talked about it after over dinner. My mother is a drama teacher and I can remember watching movies as a young child that other people probably found totally inappropriate. Movies like Casino and Goodfellas, The Godfather (she went through a mafia kick where we watched the whole series) and even The Dead Poets Society, which dealt with depression and suicide. She rented things like The Professional, DIVA, and we went to see lots of violence and nudity riddled operas and theater as well. I went to see a play about the Marquis de Sade when I was maybe 7 and I giggled the whole time.


The point of all my rambling is, if my parents felt the movie or art had substance and a message, I was able to see it. That was their parenting approach.


Would I want my daughter watching some of the stuff I did at a young age? I''m not sure yet. But whatever I do choose, it will have to be something I''m confident will enrich rather than traumatize! Each kid is different. Not every kid can handle seeing things with more adult themes. The way I was raised is very different from say (this is just for example) a kid who has never even been taken to the county fair. Some kids will have nightmares, some will appreciate the experience.


It''s all about what is appropriate. And taking your kids to see something like Precious maybe just because no baby sitters were available is not appropriate. And taking a BABY to a movie theater? That''s just bad manners. Plus, what baby wants to be in a loud theater with a bunch of strangers?

Hm. I kind of disagree. I think that movies can enrich your life, but at a certain age, you can''t process these ideas. I mean, hopefully you weren''t having sex when you were the age you saw RENT and therefore I can think that you weren''t endanger of getting AIDS. So, I guess what I am trying to say is that some life lessons are better learned later on. There is no way I would let my kids see something with sex and sensuality when they were not old enough (say 15-16). I just think that there really isn''t a reason to expose kids to these things- I want my future children to be as innocent as they can possibly be!

Also keep in mind you saw these things through a different set of eyes- the eyes of a daughter of someone who was into the drama aspects of movies. Me? I saw these things in the eyes of something that was for adults, therefore off limits, therefore something that I took as inappropriate, not art. I hope I can get my point across with all these jumbled sentences! I also think sometimes children can get the point of things without being exposed to certain things- for example, I would never let my 9 year old see Schindler''s list, until they are at 13-14. As a future teacher, I can''t think of one of my students in the classroom I am in now understand the deeper meaning and take it seriously.

And to the bolded- I think it was inappropriate because the content was inappropriate. I think that''s where we are different.

 

[Bunny007]

Maybe this stems from my upbringing- my parents were extremely lenient and I can''t recall a movie or tv show they wouldn''t let me watch.

With that in mind, this scenario doesn''t bother me. Isn''t a parent in the best position to judge whether their child can handle any given movie? Parents exercise discretion all the time, why draw the line here? Imposing some kind of age restriction that supersedes a parent''s own judgment is going too far, IMO. Parents could do far worse than allowing their kids to see Precious.

In the interest of full disclosure, I don''t have kids yet... so perhaps my opinion will change in good time