How Young is Too Young?

Dekka

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#21
Sounds like they couldn't get a babysitter. I haven't seen the movie yet but recently read the books. Definitely not something I'd take my small kids to. I'm kind of surprised it's required reading in schools. It seems too violent to be forced on kids.
Its not really all that violent compared to many other required reading. Less so than history! I don't think sheltering children from violence is the way to go. I think exploring WHY violence is horrific, why it happens etc is important.

One of the things that bothered me far far more than any made up move was on a trip to the Canadian War Museum when I was in grade 8 (so 13). There were pics of dead Jews. Old black and white pics, hard to make out details, not graphic really. But the reality hit me and made me feel physically ill, gave me troubled dreams. The reality of that violence was far worse than any graphically bloody horror film could produce.

I think its a good place to start discussions without having to pull up REAL violence (for those who are too sensitive)
 

Lyzelle

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#22
I think it really depends on the kid. If we aren't the parents of said kid, we have no right to judge. Besides, growing up in a world full of daisies and rainbows sure isn't helpful to the kid either, especially when they get in school. History is violent, politics are violent, science paves the way for violence. More kids are scared of ghosts and monsters under the bed than the man with a gun outside their window, anyway.

The key to it all is the parenting. Too many parents cop out with a "oh, violent movies made him this way". That's utter BS. It was the parents who didn't explain violence, didn't teach the difference between real and fantasy. Simple morals go a long way. Cops and robbers is a "violent" game. But the difference is the "good" and "bad". If kids can learn the difference between "good behavior" and "bad behavior" and understand the reasoning behind it...they can understand good violence and bad violence. It's just up to the parent to step up and do their job - parenting. Teach the kid, or the kids will teach themselves.
 

sparks19

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#23
I think it really depends on the kid. If we aren't the parents of said kid, we have no right to judge. Besides, growing up in a world full of daisies and rainbows sure isn't helpful to the kid either, especially when they get in school. History is violent, politics are violent, science paves the way for violence. More kids are scared of ghosts and monsters under the bed than the man with a gun outside their window, anyway.

The key to it all is the parenting. Too many parents cop out with a "oh, violent movies made him this way". That's utter BS. It was the parents who didn't explain violence, didn't teach the difference between real and fantasy. Simple morals go a long way. Cops and robbers is a "violent" game. But the difference is the "good" and "bad". If kids can learn the difference between "good behavior" and "bad behavior" and understand the reasoning behind it...they can understand good violence and bad violence. It's just up to the parent to step up and do their job - parenting. Teach the kid, or the kids will teach themselves.
I do agree with this.

Now I think 2-3 years old is a little young and a little inconsiderate of other movie goers if said kid gets scared and you just ignore it

but that being said... Hannah is watching star wars with her dad right now lol. not super violent and not gory but still Darth Vader is a scary dude lol. but then I know other kids that would be terrified of these movies. It's all about knowing your children. Heck at Disney world they have "jedi training" for the young kids (I think the ages are 4-10 years old or something) and they go through the training and then Darth Vader comes out and each child faces off with him and has a lightsaber duel lol. some kids handle that just fine but Hannah would NOT be OK with that lol. it's one thing for her to see him on the movie or during the ride at disney world but if he were right there on stage in front of her there is no WAY she would fight him lol

but still... I think there is an age that is just plain too young no matter what they can handle. Not just for the kids but for the others around them too.
 

Picklepaige

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#24
I agree that it depends on the kid.

I read White Fang and Call of the Wild in second grade, and none of the gory scenes traumatized me ;)
 

Sweet72947

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#26
I remember when I was little my parents would watch their grown-up movies and I would sit in the same room as them. I didn't pay attention to the TV because I would sit there and color or play with toys. There were times they would tell me not to look, and I remember one time I was actually watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with them and right before that scene where that guy chooses the wrong grail and turns into a skeleton my dad clapped his hand abruptly over my eyes, lol.

Most kids, I think, probably wouldn't be traumatized by seeing violence. They might be frightened in the moment and have nightmares for a week, which is unfortunate, but I think they would be able to get over it ok. I don't agree with taking young kids to scary movies in the movie theaters personally, not only will it scare the kid, it will annoy the crap out of the other movie goers. YOU may think your kid is cute, but I really don't want to hear him asking you 5million+ questions throughout the movie. :p
 

Freehold

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#27
My son is 12, and I won't hesitate to take him. He's read the books (in school actually last year - grade 6) and I believe he has a mature enough understanding of such things. We also talk about such movies/issues as needed - so it's a true PG experience.

However I'd not dream of taking my 4 yr old... And theaters are so loud, most younger babies can't handle the noise from my experience... We've tried my little one a few times at movies (age suitable) and she's not been able to tolerate the length. Actually her JK class is going to see The Lorax on Wednesday, so I get to see if she can last a whole movie now ;) I'm going to "supervise" lol
 

JessLough

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#28
I remember when I was little my parents would watch their grown-up movies and I would sit in the same room as them. I didn't pay attention to the TV because I would sit there and color or play with toys. There were times they would tell me not to look, and I remember one time I was actually watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with them and right before that scene where that guy chooses the wrong grail and turns into a skeleton my dad clapped his hand abruptly over my eyes, lol.

Most kids, I think, probably wouldn't be traumatized by seeing violence. They might be frightened in the moment and have nightmares for a week, which is unfortunate, but I think they would be able to get over it ok. I don't agree with taking young kids to scary movies in the movie theaters personally, not only will it scare the kid, it will annoy the crap out of the other movie goers. YOU may think your kid is cute, but I really don't want to hear him asking you 5million+ questions throughout the movie. :p
LOL yah, I'd just be told not to look while my parents watched their movies :p

Absolutely agree with the bolded. Any well-rounded child shouldn't be traumatized by seeing violence
 

ACooper

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#30
When I take hannah to the movies she still wears her ear muffs to cut down on the loudness.
Not too long ago MY ears were hurting due to how loud they had the volume! Fortunately, I happened to have one of my daughter's tampons in my purse and I ripped it up and shoved the cotton in my ears! :rofl1:

I carry ear warmer things in my purse to the theater nowadays.........just never know! LOL And Zac has very sensitive ears so any time he's going I make sure to have something for him as well.
 

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