Kids and PG-13

Written by Jesse

Thursday, 18 June 2009 12:07

The problem with kids’ movies is, they just aren’t for kids. Oh, sure, there are G rated movies out there. And PG rated movies. But are PG-13 movies really for kids? The PG-13 rating is supposed to mean that parents should determine whether their children under age 13 should view the movie. Apparently, the Rating Board of the Motion Picture Association of America thinks PG-13 movies are just swell for kids who are 13 and older. (See the definitions of the different ratings at http://www.mpaa.org/flmrat_ratings.asp). The problem is that some of those PG-13 movies just barely missed being rated R.

Need an example of a PG-13 you don’t want your kid to see? Anything rated PG-13 and starring Will Farrell.

The most recent movie in this category is Land of the Lost. Looks harmless enough in the previews, but does your child really need to hear 50 profane words in an hour and a half? Do the math.

No parent wants to say “no” to every request from the kids. But, if you start checking out the movies (http://www.kids-in-mind.com) before you say “yes”, you might just find “no” a lot easier. Some movies may be fine if seen with a parent, or you may approve of a movie if it’s just the guys, or just the girls, who will be watching it together. But that same movie may be completely inappropriate if viewed in a coed group.

Which brings me back to Will Farrell. Can we agree that movies with primates fondling women are not appropriate for any group of kids? But scenes like that are even more inappropriate in a mixed crowd. Who wants their young daughter to be subjected to the discomfort of watching a scene like that while sitting next to a boy from her math class?

Rather than subject your children to situations they just aren’t prepared to handle, check out the movie before saying yes. Then see just how easily “No” rolls off your tongue.

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