Kate Hunter
by KATE HUNTER
I went to see the movie ‘Ted’ on Saturday night.
Directed by Seth McFarlane (creator of Family Guy) Ted is about a foul-mouthed teddy bear who hangs out with hookers and takes issue when his ‘weed guy’ sells him inferior dope. Ted’s best mate is John (Mark Wahlberg) a thirty-something nice guy who’s struggling to grow up, mainly because Ted wants to hang out on the sofa with him and a bong. John’s girlfriend has a problem with this and says Ted has to move out. It’s bloody funny and I laughed my head off. Until I saw a woman in the row in front of me with a little girl who looked about five, or six, tops.
Then I became uptight.
I told myself, ‘Silly woman, she thought it was a movie about teddies.’
I was relieved when they got up and left.
Then they returned. It was just a loo break. Back in their seats just in time to hear about Ted fucking a co-worker with a parsnip, then selling it.
I’m not shocked about the parsnip. Each Teddy to their own.
But to take a little kid to a movie rated MA15+ is shocking. And dumb.
I’m a voice in the cinematic wilderness, I know. But so many people seem to think the classifications are a guide that does not apply to their kids. That’s because of course, they are just a guide – only when a movie is rated R does it become illegal to admit kids.
It’s tricky, navigating the movie guide if you’re a parent or an auntie taking nieces and nephews for a holiday treat. But these days, you can see trailers online. You can make choices. Read reviews from all over the world. And if there’s nothing suitable on at the cinema, you can rent a DVD! You can do that now. Lots of G rated ones out there. Or cut loose and go PG!
There is no NEED to take a 6 year old to see Batman, The Dark Knight. Have you seen the trailer for that one? It’s darker than dark. Because it’s not a kids’ movie.
But the toy shelves at K Mart are loaded with Batman toys – aimed clearly at kids under 8, not the movie’s ‘target market’ of people over 15.
So yes, I’m uptight on this one. And I’m prepared for the comments. In fact, if you’re outraged at my stance, but too busy to compose your own comment, here’s a handy menu. Which of these best reflects your opinion?
1. How dare you judge my parenting? My five year old is mature beyond her years and has such a sophisticated sense of humor. She is able to process far more than your dopey kids, Kate Hunter.
2. We do everything as a family. If I want to see an MA+ movie, it would be unfair and hypocritical not to share it with my children.
3. For goodness sake! Things like sex with parsnips go over the heads of little ones. All a five year old sees is the cute teddy. To her a bong is just a juice bottle! Lighten up!
4. I believe in exposing my children to all aspects of sexuality from birth. What is so outrageous about sex with a parsnip (assuming it was organically grown)?
5. Yes, but my kids really, really, really want to see it. Everyone in their school will have seen it and I don’t want my child ostracized. My parents wouldn’t let me see Grease when I was 12 and I never got over it.
6. My children watch The Family Guy all the time and have done since they were two. If anything, Ted looks a bit tame.
From inappropriate movies to inappropriate toys. Would you buy any of these for your kids?
The Punisher
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Kate Hunter is an advertising copywriter with over 20 years experience and one Gruen Transfer appearance to her name. Kate is also the author of the Mosquito Advertising series of novels. You can buy them here.
Have you seen Ted? What are your thoughts about kids, movies and classifications? Feel free to add to my list.
Comments
182 Comments so far
My 10 year old niece kept asking to go see TED. The only ads myself and several others have seen here in the UK were indicating a cute kids film
So I checked the details, got very curious why the ads had not indicated adults only, and I watched it myself.
In the right company, absolutely hilarious, the acting is brilliant, all delivered perfectly and for me, just in the right way so its a joke and not being as horrible as it could have been lol. Like others have said, you’ve gotta see it a bit like Bad Santa.
In the wrong company? oh hell this could really mess up your kids, your wife, lose you friends, and be written of some people Christmas card list for next year etc. lol.
To be honest, I don’t even think its appropriate for a 15 year old as so many are already way out of control on trying to be 30 when 14
But such is the way of the society we live in, most of TV/news/magazines is always trying to be famous by pushing justttt a little bit further than anyone else.
It’s just the way of life and has been for decades. But for adults, with a bit of a wild (and sometimes hidden) sense of humour this one is well worth it. Just be straight with your kids. I explained to my niece, that its just not a film for small people as it seemed, you’l find it funny, but not until you’re older, honest. She replied, “too much adult stuff? swearing and sex? Ok, what else can we go see instead?”.
Keep in mind, it’s not about ratings and somebody elses decision or choice of what’s ok to see & teach, its about adults taking responsibility and seeing what’s acceptable, and what’s just obviously too soon. Most of us want to live in a nice world without 8 year old kids swearing i’m sure.
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Doesn’t a rating of MA15+ mean you have to over 15? How did the young child get into the movie? You’d have to be hiding under a mushroom not to have seen the ads promoting TED of late — they’re on everywhere, all the time. In fact, I’ve had to try and shield my 11 year old from seeing them. TED is just not suitable in any way, shape or form for a 6 year old — or even my 11 year old, seriously. I went to see Bridesmaids last year with a friend — same rating of MA15+ and was mortified to see two young girls aged about 11 or 12 in there. I sat uncomfortably through the movie at the thought of how the mother/adult was going to explain a few things. And when the word c#*$ was used, I think I screamed out loud in embarrassment. I just didn’t think it was suitable for anyone under 15. I wouldn’t even take my 15 year old niece to see it with me. Parents need to take control.
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Well, we went to see “Ted” yesterday and it was terrific actually.
We’re adults and aren’t offended by language in films – “language” only really bothers me when it’s abusive and sexist and directed towards women or children in real life.
This film is not likely to be understood by 6yr olds – even by the “parsnip” reference which requires a knowledge of female anatomy to be fully appreciated. This movie remind’s me a bit of “Bad Santa” – full of adult language & graphic analogies but with a “soft centre” – hilarious generally.
Seth McFarlane (voice of Ted and writer) is the driving force behind this lightweight entertainment and if you love “Family Guy” – you’ll love this.
The other thing is that if your knowledge of modern media is poor – you won’t enjoy the jokes or references and the “parsnip” line might be the only thing that “sticks out”.
As with “Bad Santa” – there’s a strong (almost sweet) moral/ethical thread running through this tale, so go and enjoy “Ted” and – leave the kids at home.
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My 13-year-old daughter just thanked me for declining an invitation to see Ted with friends. She told me she wasn’t comfortable with seeing a raunchy movie and is bothered by the nonchelant drug use. She has no idea about the sexual content of the film. I’m glad I said no thank you.
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What a fascinating thread this has been to read. It has certainly made me think a lot about where I am at with my 11 yr son. He wants to see Ted. Will I take him? No. In fact we saw Ice Age (funny) and Brave (scary and not at all funny) these holidays. But he is the youngest of 5 in a blended family and so his exposure to adult themes (oldest being a 16yr old boy) is such that many, although not all, of the themes of this film would not come as a great shock to him. As parents it is our role to know and understand and guide our children. My son gets frightened of paranormal and fantasy themes, so no Harry Potter or even PG rated films of that ilk for us. But he has a great sense of humor and has always been quite open and curious when it comes to sex and relationship related themes – whether that be from Simpsons, Modern Family, Family Guy, Big Bang Theory, or M movies. He is happy to ask Qs and we have often spoken of what words mean – such as puberty, virgin, periods, ‘hair down there”, brothels (a 6pm news item), condoms and wr have also talked about other things like why you get pimples, how do boys meet girls, when do you first have sex, why do people take drugs, etc. If my son was the oldest of 5 children I expect he would gave less exposure, but that is not the case. So I have chosen to manage it openly. What concerns me a little are parents who have not opened up lines of communication with their pre-teen children and are in danger of being too conservative such that their kids dont feel comfortable bringing Qs to them – children are aware of adult themes just by watching tv and listening to news headlines on the radio not to mention the topics that are talked about at school. I personally feel it is my role as a parent to provide information and honest answers to questions and issues my son may be wondering about. And to ultimately determine what films are appropriate for my son to watch.
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I love that so many people have used the 15 years of age as a benchmark – this is the very age that I use with my children (two in year 7 one in year 3) when they whine “Can we see Tropic Thunder, everyone else in the class has seen it” or “Why can’t we watch the Hangover?” As they creep towards this magical age of 15 I am sure that they must be awaiting deliverance of wisdom, knowledge, maturity – or just one big movie marathon.
I do cringe when I see people taking young children into obviously inappropriate movies, and I don’t buy into this being part of their “style” of parenting or it being right for that particular five year old. Children have rights as well (so the UN tells me) – and this type of behaviour is really verging into child abuse in my books.
I do value children’s independence and as I raise my three – I find myself often running to keep up with them and always increasing their independence and exposure to life in general that matches their development. When they were babies I often said by the time you got to grips and mastered whatever “stage” it was they were in at that time – they were already onto the next one.
I think that in this case, people who ignore the ratings and take kids to see movies that are aimed at adults are forgetting the “parenting” part of being a parent. The part that can be fun, exhilarating, but can also be exasperating, time consuming and down right painful….and taking time to check out what language, concepts and images feature in a movie you are going to take your child to is one of the least painful parts.
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I’m totally with you. I can’t believe my cousins took their kids (aged 4 and 5) to see the latest Alice in Wonderland with Mia Wasikowski. I know my kids would have been horrified, and it was classified as 12+, so I completely understand your point of view. I once had to leave the cinema with my daughter even though it was technically a kids’ movie, I just found it inappropriate.
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what a pressing issue
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I totally agree with you Kate. I wanted to see everything when I was a kid, but there needs to be limits based on what they will understand or what they might find disturbing or think is ‘normal’ behaviour. If they can’t understand the context the room for misinterpretation is huge. On a related note, a few years back I went to Pink’s concert and I was surprised to see so many young primary school children. I know she makes pop music and uses circus imagery etc, but the parents must know there’ll be a lot of swearing, drug and sexual references at a show like that right? I couldn’t help but squirm when I saw a mum and her approximately 7 year old daughter dancing around while Pink writhed on a couch in a lace bodysuit singing “When I think about you I touch myself…” while hands reached through the couch and ahem… touched her in a very personal way.
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My 70 year old Aunt accidentally took her 85 year friend to see Ted (nothing else on at the time and they didn’t know anything about it but it was on at Palace so how inappropriate could it be?!) – she was not amused at all particularly the parsnip! Perhaps the ratings system isn’t quite enough information for the young ones and the old folk when purchasing tickets – I blame the ticket staff!
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You blame the ticket staff? I used to be one of those in my younger days and I can tell you that people get rather offended when you talk to them about their movie selection. For every senior citizen that thanked me for the warning about Brokeback Mountain (they thought it was a country movie and didn’t realise it was a love story between two men), I had just as many ridicule me for the inference that it may not be the type of movie they were expecting. Another consideration is that talking to every customer about their movie selection would increase the service time and hold up queues. There is plenty of information out there about films. It is up to the individual to decide whether it suits them, not the staff.
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Was kidding! But in all seriousness surely a ticket staff could see a red flag when selling a child’s ticket for a movie rated for an adult audience. I think there is a lack of information when you’re queued up at the ticket box that could be improved – I’d certainly rather a little bit of that kind of customer service than being asked if I want an aisle seat!
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I understand what you are saying, and in a perfect world it sounds great. And yes, when you are serving customers, you generally will see some red flag situations. But a staff member questioning a parenting choice or anyone’s choice for that matter? That does not go down very well at all. Many people feel judged and dont appreciate it and I’m speaking from experience.
I do agree with you about the lack of film information in the actual cinema. It’s usually there but it’s not much. I suppose that between tv advertising, the Internet and newspapers, the industry expects that people do their own research and decide on a film to watch before they even get to the cinema.
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Ted, definitely no children under 15 should be there, saw it last night and it’s pretty crude, however hilarious (I’m 22, so I’m allowed to say that
)
The Dark Knight Rises is likely to be an incredibly dark movie, Christopher Nolan is known for dark, mysterious films, or films with a strange twist, see Inception, Memento. They are not children’s movies. However, there is a child-friendly Batman cartoon shown on TV, I think each week night, which is why merchandise is sold, because children are still very familiar with the Batman franchise and liken it not to the new movies, but the show they see on TV.
However, I don’t think I will be a very strict parent on these things, of course my children won’t be seeing movies like Ted until they are at least at the 15 year old rating, but I’m not going to censor them from M rated movies like Lord of the Rings when they are 7 or 8, there is nothing wrong with these films and I believe they portray strong messages of doing good, and defeating evil.
When I was a kid I watched movies like The Fifth Element and Grease at a young age, sexual references and such went over my head, I watch it now and didn’t realise how many sexual references there were’. If you haven’t watched it for a long time, have a re-listen to the song ‘Grease Lightning’ and look at the lyrics, you’ll see what I mean.
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This is an important discussion – I believe that all children should be protected from unacceptable images & subject matter that’s inappropriate for their age-group.
It’s scary out there in media-world and we should be doing our “home-work” if we have children in our care.
“South Park” may be a cartoon but it’s aimed at the over 16′s at least. The latest “Batman” is also aimed at adults – in fact it’s aimed at scaring adults.
We see a LOT of films and I’m always shocked by the film choices of some people with children…….years ago I was appalled by seeing two little girls sitting next to me during “Jurassic Park” – adults were frightened !
I’ve also been concerned about our own children visiting the homes of friends where the adults are watching “adult TV”.
I also have firm views about people taking children into films where their behaviour or crying would spoil the experience for adults who’ve paid way too much already.
I’m not trying to “police” anyone’s choices, I just want people to be more mindful of any negative impacts on our children – those immature minds aren’t always equipped to process extreme images, and conversations.
We used to play Monty Python’s films in our home when our kids were growing up and they’ve always thanked us for those films’ approach to sex, violence and language – somehow the “silliness” diffused the subject matter……… it seems that “TED” is a bit more “advanced” though …lol.
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Oh, I agree with you Kate, how much do I agree with you!!!
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I went to see one of the Twilight movies in Gold Class (don’t judge me!) and there were two probably 7 or 8 year old girls with a Mum sitting in front of us. As it was about 11am on a weekday I first wondered why they weren’t in school – but that’s a whole other post. But as the guy who plays Jake appeared on screen without a shirt the girls in front of us started squealing and calling out “we love you Jake”, “you’re so hot!!”. Mum said nothing.
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GREAT article! Why oh why do they target batman toy’s to children when the movie is targeted at adults??? All they do is create a fight for parents who have to explain that yes the new Batman does look super cool, but sorry it’s only for grown ups. Seriously how stupid are these companies! As for Ted anyone who takes children to that is an idiot. Grow up and stop trying to be a ‘cool’ parent.
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Oh Kate, this is a topic I feel very passionate about. Ever since I went to see the Lord of the Rings films with small children accompanying their parents. It was hard to enjoy the film when I had to resist the urge to get up and confront the parents.
WTF are parents thinking? Obviously they are not.
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Im 22 and saw Ted with my friends. We were absolutely mortified to see about 5 kids who could not have been older than 7 in the cinema. Terrible parenting. I teach 8yr olds and they all quote family guy. What kind of parents would let their kids watch this stuff?!?
Being the youngest of 6 children (with a minimum 4 yr gap), I was exposed to a lot of horror movies as a kid. I saw Childs play/it/psycho/dr giggles/dolly dearest and pretty much every D grade horror movie made when I was still a toddler. I wasnt really that affected by it as a child, in fact I thoroughly enjoyed these movies and requested them. But now that I am 22 it is evident that I am actually quite traumatised by them. I am often scared at night or when I’m out. My mind conjures up dark possibilities or often connects directly to movie scenes. I have seen thousands of horror movies… But since the age of 16 – I have not watched one. I have spoken to my mother about this and she deeply regrets letting this happen, even though it was never her decision, it was just my siblings/cousins. I even learnt how to use the VCR before I could speak properly. I got sent home from Pre-school for making all of the boys cry by telling them horror stories.
Just cos it might not look like movies are causing damage, trust me, they are. I’m not the only sibling traumatised by these movies.
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I’m exactly the same! My siblings were much older than me, and I saw movies that I really shouldn’t have too early. My sister was always a much bigger censor than my parents, who didn’t really care as long as I was quiet and let me watch my older siblings’ films if they were out. (I actually remember watching Braveheart with my sister somewhere between the age of 12-15, and she would cover my eyes during all the battle scenes and tell me the gist of what was happening. I finally saw the whole movie in my 20s after someone commented on how gory it was and I didn’t know what they were talking about!)
There are many little fears that I’m starting to realise stemmed from seeing more than my young mind could properly process – like I’m really scared of the dark at the age of 28. (I MUST sleep with the door shut, unless the hall light is on. I have a fear of someone/something approaching my bedroom door and being able to look in and see me, while I can’t see them/it. At least if the door is shut, I can hear an approach!) I actually come close to panicking in darkness because I can’t see what’s around me. I can’t handle people walking up behind me in broad daylight. I don’t like looking out of windows when I’m alone in the house in case I see something scary. I don’t put my feet down directly next to the bed when I get up in case a hand reaches out and grabs my ankle, and I hate stairs without risers for the same reason. I am a big ol’ fraidy cat! Nothing too scary has really happened to me – this all has its roots in horror movies, and I have lots of little phobias like those which I didn’t even realise until recently. Nothing major, but it’s enough to have a lasting effect. I’m all for some scaling back of the ‘they’ll be fine!’ attitude. Sure, a lot of sexual humour within reason will go over kids’ heads but I really think violence has a lasting effect. I can’t figure out if a lot of parents either haven’t realised this or don’t care as long as the kid shuts up.
I’m also petrified of clowns, but I know so many people who are and always for the same reason. Clowns must really hate the movie It. It totally ruined them for my entire generation
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Unfortunately, this type of thing seems really common. I saw Snow White and the Huntsman a few weeks ago and the theater was packed with kids aged 3-8! The movie was rated M and had a lot of death/violence in it, as well as alcoholism and some reference to rape/sexual abuse. I don’t know whether the parents realised that the film was very different to the Disney fairytale or that they simply didn’t care that it was inappropriate for children, putting their desires to see the movie first.
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Well I don’t agree with you Kate my mum showed me this website and I love it but that’s your opinion and I am only 11 and I have seen the hunger games alone twice (with friends) without an adult and I was let in and I am planning to see Ted without and adult only with friends it’s not that bad from a kids point of view u guys are just babying us stop it if they ask to go see it go with them and if they don’t like it well that’s there fault so give it a chance and see if u think it’s fine and the woman with the 13 yr old boy let him see the Harry potter moves he is old enough:( sick of u guys!!!!!!
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Hi Holly. Just letting you know that I work in a movie theatre and you will not be allowed in to watch Ted without an adult. Ted is rated MA15 and those under 15 need a parent/caregiver or else they won’t be allowed in.
Hunger Games was rated M so that is why they let you in for that.
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Slight deviation from the topic but related… I was in a games store the other day (minus my kids by pure chance) and while making my purchase at the register started watching the monitor playing on the counter. The most violent scene was playing in game style animation. A man put a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger and blew his head to bits!! Bits of skull and blood then proceeded to spurt all over the place. The screen was at child head height. I was horrified and slightly traumatised and there was a little girl holding her mothers hand, who couldnt have been more than 6 avidly taking in every bit. I complained strongly to the poor pubescent sales boy that this was inappropriate and that he needed to tell his manager. It was very real and quite sickening. I dont know who plays these games and in the privacy of your own home it’s your business I guess. But it was utterly jarring on a Saturday morning shopping expedition. I really thought the mother would jump in and say something or drag her daughter away.
Nada.
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I wouldn’t even want to watch Ted, ick!
I follow the ratings with my kids, eldest is 5, G rating is fine and if its a PG I’ll either watch it first or read up on it and then always watch with her to ensure she understands.
I can still remember being 14 and having my mother refuse to sign the permission slip to watch The Shawshank Redemption for Ethics class as i wasn’t 15 yet. I was SO embarrassed! I had to do solo work in the library for a whole term
Yet, I will still probably do the same for my daughter. Ratings are there for a reason.
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I was never allowed to see movies rated above my age. My mum stuck to the rules, and went past them. I moaned and groaned about it then… and to be honest I have no idea what effect it would have had, had I seen American Pie when I was 13 not 15… but I’m certainly not worse off!
I certainly agree with holding off on the violence… I still get nightmares from scary things and I’m 21.
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This is a timely post for me – took son to movies a couple of weeks ago and the trailer for Ted came on. We laughed and commented how funny it looked and then we found out the rating. Now I have a nagging 13 year old wanting to see it, but I am holding fast. I don’t mind a bit of swearing, hell he hears it from me, but don’t want to sit through sex scenes with him, aaaggghhh!
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Swearing in front of your child – wonderful parenting.
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I am in total agreement! I took my 5yr old to see G-rated Ice Age 4 the other day, only for them to show a PG rated (and frankly disturbing !!) “Simpsons” mini episode right before it started. I was livid!!
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I saw the same thing and was apalled, no-one else seemed to mind though, couldn’t beleive it
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Hi Annika, Just thought I would let you know that Ice Age is actually rated PG and that is why the ‘Simpsons’ mini episode was allowed on this film. It actually came from the film distributer as part of the Ice Age presentation so every cinema that screens the film will automatically have the Simpsons ep attached.
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Oops! Well now I feel stupid! But I still think that Simpsons episode was still totally inappropriate – violent and dark. Not for kids. I wasn’t allowed to watch The Simpsons til I was well into my teens. Kids just don’t need that negative rubbish in their lives.
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Oh my God, I went to see Ted the other night and there were so many people lined up with their kids to see it! I really thought it was R-rated? I wouldn’t have thought they’d be allowed in!
I have stepkids who watch a lot of (probably inappropriate) TV (not my choice, but whatevs) like Family Guy, American Dad, Simpsons etc. But even they would not be allowed to see Ted.
I feel badly for kids whose childhood is robbed from them by inappropriate viewing!
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I’m 16 and I saw Ted this afternoon with a couple of friends of mine (I loved it, absolutely hilarious). Before I went in I was asked for ID to prove I was over 15 (the first time I got to flash my license as ID yay) by an usher who looked about 14 years old. About 3/4 through the movie I heard a girl who sounded about 8 asking her dad a question about the movie. I was shocked that a parent would take someone that young to an MA15+ film. When I was leaving the cinema after the movie I noticed other small children, ranging from 5-10 who were with their parents. I was absolutely shocked. While I loved the movie and thought it was hilarious I never would allow a child to see it.
I am a very liberal, open-minded person but I am constantly surprised by what parents think is appropriate for their kids. I understand it is their decision but I personally would not allow kids to watch a lot of things that many parents do. A movie like Ted, I wouldn’t allow anyone under 13 to watch if I was their parent (I know it’s 15+ but once they reach high school and they’re exposed to so much more I think it gets to the point of ignorance). Even some shows such as Glee (which I also love), despite being PG, I would not think people under 13 should watch. I think parents need to become more aware of whandy heir children are watching before they unknowingly allow their children to watch inappropriate movies/shows. That said, I respect a parents right to choose what they feel is appropriate for their children.
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This touches a raw nerve for me because my ex-wife takes Miss 11 and Master 12 to movies rated ahead of their age. Recently she took them both to see The Dictator and then I saw it about 2 weeks later and was appalled. It’s in no way suitable for children of their age but raise the issue with her would lead to a ‘you cannot control my life’ conversation which is not the point of the conversation. I just keep quiet. As part of a friend’s birthday party i saw Towering Inferno as a 9 year old and had nightmares for 6 months afterwards. I don’t want my kids to go through that.
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Ross, I really feel for you – seems like you married someone whose emotional intelligence is so much lower than yours. My girlfriend has an ex-husband and two children with shared custody where his idea of how to raise the children and hers totally clash. It breaks her heart to witness some of the things he puts the children through. This just reminded me of that and I wanted to tell you that you are not alone in that struggle! I’m not sure what the answer is but from my perspective, it seems that he who shouts the loudest wins (of course, that’s an analogy – I don’t mean you have to shout) – I am sure you know what I mean by that.
Wishing you well Ross……
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I had an identical reaction to seeing a family with young children seated behind me during a showing of Ted. I found myself distracted throughout the movie thinking about what the two kids were seeing and hearing. They were 7 and 9 ish and they were in my opinion way too young to watch that movie. It has the c-bomb, sexual references and general inappropriateness. To take little kids to a Seth McFarlane anything is idiocy. Most of the western world knows that his stuff is adult, and I seriously doubt that a kid could get any of the references in the jokes get any value out of the comedy.
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Kate your comment menu is hilarious, I love it. I also love that my sons are teenagers & are able to take themselves to the movies:)
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Unbelievable – cinemas shouldn’t be able to sell children’s tickets to MA15+ movies, no matter who is accompanying the child!
My partner experienced a similar thing when Sleepy Hollow came out. He was in the cinema with a bunch of his mates when a family with two small children walked in. One child was crying and one was hiding under his seat by half way through but did the parents leave? Negative. Not sure what their stance on parenting was but it’s definitely not something I’d do to my children.
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Why shouldn’t cinemas sell tickets to kids? It’s not a restricted movie, and although I agree that this movie isn’t suitable for little kids, who the hell are you to pass you version of morality on someone else?
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Remind me to never invite you to dinner given that your idea of respectful comment involves abuse. Cinemas should not be selling tickets to this movie to kids because it’s rated MA15 which means viewers must be aged 15 and over to see it. Simple.
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Go check on what MA15 means before you jump down my throat. You’re wrong.
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I work in a theatre (and in childcare!)
Those aged under 15 are allowed in to a MA15 movie if accompanied by a parent/caregiver who is over 18.
While I don’t always like it, that is the rule.
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You think my response was abusive?
You’ve got to be kidding. Talk about blowing something out of proportion.
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Why are your comments so consistently aggressive and hostile? Are you deliberately creating controversy? I think there may be other sites out there that would suit you better than MM. Please can you go to them and leave this one alone.
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Fed up,
My comments are not consistently aggressive and hostile at all. Sometimes they are, but mostly they aren’t. In fact, Most of the time I’m simply being blunt and to the point. Like I was here.
I didn’t abuse anyone in this thread, but I was accused of being abusive. I can only guess it was because I told someone not to force their version of morality on others. You wouldn’t like it if I did it to you would you?
Anyway, I write as I speak, sometimes the message doesn’t come out properly and and gets misinterpreted other times.
Unfortunately I’ve found that having a dissenting voice with a bunch of sycophants in the room makes one a bad person.
If you bother to read all of my posts you’ll see that I am quite compassionate and gentle despite my direct manner.
I’m genuinely sorry if I appear to be abusive, and I’ll try to be a better. I will not, however, apologise for my opinions.
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Spot on Kate.
Anyone who takes their child to something like that is an idiot, or suffering from the ‘I want to be my child’s cool friend syndrome’.
If you have been living in a tree & haven’t seen the publicity for it, then we’re in such a rush when you got to the cinema that you missed the rating on the big bloody posters, electronic signage and your bloody ticket, you still have the choice to actually walk out with your child.
Seriously, there is no excuse.
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The movie poster features an adult male and the adorable Teddy standing up against a urinal. It’s in full view at my local cinema. Might suggest a bit of toilet humour ?
But you judge for yourself what you believe acceptable viewing material for yourself and your kids.
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I saw Ted on the weekend, and was horrified (and judgmental) of the couple sitting next to me with their no-older-than 8 year old son in tow. Did they not realise that it was rated MA? Classifications exist for a reason. M is recommended for mature audiences but is technically unrestricted. MA however is a legally restricted rating, and children under 15 MUST be accompanied by an adult guardian. A MA classification should be a parental warning bell. I am no prude, but I do not think that an 8 year old should be exposed to images of bong smoking and references to anal sex.
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Well Ms Prude, you can decide if you take your grandchildren to see it, but if other parents want to take their kids they can. It’s distasteful, but certainly not illegal.
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I wouldn’t appreciate being called “Ms Prude” at a dinner party.
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The biggest issue here is that children (and I am including high school students in that group) do not have appropriate frames of reference. Their understanding of the references in any film, book, TV programme, or even advertisement is directly linked to their world experience AND their level of neurological development.
The role of the parent is to ensure that the child is not necessarily shielded from the darker side of life, but instead is exposed to it with as much scaffolding as possible, in line with the child’s age and personality. This basically means that unless you’ve seen the film already, you won’t necessarily know what images, themes, language and characters will be presented. The ratings are a good FIRST guide – G films are pretty much OK for ages, for example. Beyond that, it is up to the parent to make decisions on behalf of the child. Ratings aren’t perfect, they’re often deeply flawed, but they are a starting point.
If you have a child under 16 (and sometimes over this age, depends on the individual), you need to research the film or programme before you allow your child to watch it. This isn’t hard! Read reviews, check out a website or two (eg Kids In Mind), look at the poster, for goodness sake.
It’s not about ‘prudishness’, it’s about appropriateness. The child behind me when I saw “Ted” (who probably was about 13) asked her mother/grandmother/supervising adult “what’s anal?” after Ted made a quip to John about doing ‘something special’ for an anniversary.
Now, you may be ready to have that conversation with your 13-year-old, but is this the best prompt for it to begin?
While, yes I confess that I do inwardly judge parents who take their kids to inappropriate films, I don’t do it to make my inner ‘prude’ feel self-satisfied, I do it because I’m a parent, a teacher, and a person who IS concerned about how we as a community raise our kids.
I have a fithy sense of humour. I love Seth MacFarlane and his ilk. I just don’t think they write for 10-year-olds.
It’s not illegal, you’re right, 19 8 1 14 5. But just because someone CAN legally do something, it doesn’t always mean they SHOULD.
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She’s a prude because she doesn’t think her 8 year old should be exposed to anal sex references?
Uh, okay then.
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I agree with u Kate….and I think we are a rather small minority..people will call me a prude…but I think it is my duty as a parent to censor my kids as much as possible from certain things until they are mature and able to properly process it.
We watch movies as a family…I am going in now to watch Lord of the rings with my kids…and will probably have to fast forward bits…we watch alot of M rated movies but only when it is on DVD and I can fast forward inappropriate bits…..some of those toys were pretty funny….can u imagine..give pee and poo a kiss goodnight sweetheart..haha
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I agree. I don’t allow my kids to see an M or MA rated movie unless I’ve seen it first and know what I’m getting myself into. The ratings are so wide and varied the movies are difficult to predict.
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Great post Kate, I am a gr 6 teacher and about to head back to school. I am willing to bet that a bunch of my 11 and 12 year old students will have been to see this over the holidays and I will be mortified (not shocked, but mortified). Then there will be kids who says they’ve been to see it, when they haven’t really, just because they think it’s cool to have seen such an adult film which almost upsets me as much as the kids who have actually been! Then it will be MY fault (or the fault of another student or family) when those students are obscene or inappropriate…phew!
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I agree with everything you said, Kate. I am not even a Mum, and I am uptight about what my niece is exposed to. I am uptight about what I see OTHER children exposed to and I have no problem expressing my judgement about irresponsible parents who subject their children to this kind of thing full-well understanding how adult the film is.
I am a huge Batman buff, I love, love, love every single Batman film, but this new trilogy is even more so not for the young. I think you can get a good idea of what the movie is going to be like from the preview.
I watched a lot of things when I was a kid that I shouldn’t have. Granted, I was an intelligent child who grasped understanding sometimes a bit better, but even still, it would have been better had I not been exposed. I also believe parental guidance should be extended to music and products too. I was 12 yrs old listening to Snoop Dogg rapping about pussy and gin and juice (wtf?) and of course, “cop killin’” IMO parents are way too lax and having a child is about protecting it from harm and again, imo there is just as much harm in exposure to mature things as there is in other aspects of life.
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Great post Kate. You echo the exact thoughts that I have had over the years watching parents take their children to inappropriate movies – I’ve been so horrified at times that it’s put me off watching the movie – feeling distressed for the child’s welfare. ‘The Exorcist’ springs to mind. My husband (boyfriend at the time) and I were torn over what to do about it – wanting to say something to someone to help that poor child – but there isn’t anything you can do. It’s heartbreaking to be in that situation.
In my opinion, the parents who do this are the kind of parents that make their kids fit with them and their lifestyle – mostly unaltered to before they had them. We changed our lives, like most parents do, dramatically to accommodate our children. As such would never take our children to any event that was inappropriate – get a babysitter if you want to do ‘adult’ things. If you can’t afford one or find one – don’t go. Such is life for parents who sacrifice their needs for the welfare of their children.
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You know, as a prospective parent (one day) I plan to abide by the ratings and keep my child exposed only to age-appropriate entertainment, as my sensibility tells me this is best and I want to raise my child as best as I can.
But having said that I watched anything and everything as a child, and I really don’t feel much (if any) of it had a big impact on me – not that I can be fully aware of the effects I suppose. I remember watching Eddie Murphy’s Delerious and Raw at the age of 8!!!! What was my mum thinking! I also remember not knowing what certain things were, and having things click years later when I “learnt” them socially…
I grew up to be a non-violent, non-swearing, reasonably shy, sexually normal adult… but then again, there are times I do feel I grew up too soon and carried the weight of the world on my shoulders from a young age, but I feel that was more from my actual experiences as a child… not what I was watching on TV.
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Yeah, I hear what you’re saying.
I’m not too keen on youngsters seeing movies like this, but… I watched things when I was a kid that were desperately inappropriate (always on the sly, my parents would be horrified to know what I watched without their knowledge) and nothing bothered me particularly. I remember being really scared watching ‘Pet Semartery’ when I was 10 (f*ck, I STILL find it scary as hell!) and same in ‘Arachnophobia’ but I didn’t get any of the sexual innuendoes in ‘Grease’ until I re-watched it as a teenager. I considered ‘Delirious’ and ‘Raw’ to be the height of comic genius when I watched them when was 11.
I think the only thing that ever disturbed me was when I saw some full on porn for the first time when I was 10 (in the bedroom of a friend’s older brother). Now THAT was horrifying!
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I know what your saying, but watching a movie “on the sly” is different to parents openly encouraging/allowing kids to watch it
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Yep, I can relate to that.
My “far too old but watched them at friends’ houses” movies were Halloween H2O and Scream 2. It was the epitome of cool to have a sleepover and watch a B-grade horror movie.
I don’t doubt that our children will do the same things, but Ted takes the sexual references too far for me to consider letting anyone under 15 watch it.
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When my daughter was 11 (Year 5) she was invited to a movie party.
I always checked what movies the kids were seeing. I was told the choice was “I am Legend”. I was horrified. I politely told the birthday girl and her mother that my daughter was not permitted to see that movie and they changed the movie choice.
I am an avid moviegoer. Ratings are there for a reason. When my kids were younger I always noted the rating and read movie reviews for kids.
Unlike most of their peers, my kids were not permitted to watch M rated movies in primary school, not with me and not with their friends.
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Oh my god. That movie was terrifying, I can’t believe they thought it would be appropriate for 11 year olds!
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Is I Am Legend the Will Smith movie? I don’t have kids so maybe I’m missing something but what is so adult about that movie? I watched movies of a similar ilk when I was that young. Completely agree about Ted and anything with strong sexual/adult themes though.
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I’m not a mum yet but I am a big sister. I IMDB-Parents-Guide check before I let my little sisters watch something.
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I admit… I laughed at the STI stuffed toys…as someone who works in that field, I thought they could be useful in ahem… spreading the knowledge.
But as for the movie..Seth McFarlane should be a huge clue here for age appropriateness.
The shave the baby……..why????
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I have a bit of an issue with movie ratings as to me, a lot of time they don’t make sense.
When my daughter was in primary school I refused to let her watch “Grease” on DVD.
I don’t see how any movie whose theme is that you have to change who you are to fit into a peer group and be popular, was suitable for my young daughter. Especially when changing who you are included having to take up smoking, and to dress and to perfect the moves of a very sexualised “hussy”.
The movie focused on the issue that you had to do everything in your power to get your man; that getting your man was all that was important, and that it took sexuality to achieve that aim.
That movie is rated “PG”
But by the same token I had no issue with her watching “Star Wars-Attack of the Clones” which is rated “M”, or even “Sleepy Hollow” which is rated “MA” (due to supernatural themes).
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Ok, yes this really pisses me off in specific cases that I’ve heard of. I’m no prude & I’d welcome any constructive feedback from people who think that maybe my kids shouldn’t play certain video games either (if that’s sort of on the same level) but some recent movies I’ve heard of that some kids have been taken to the cinema to see with parents is appalling…the main one being the American remake of ‘the girl with the dragon tattoo’.
Under 10 year olds taken to see a movie showing a graphic rape scene — enough said (some people are unbelievably stupid)
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Wow, that rape scene really, really disturbed me. Just the idea of 10 year old girls seriously made me gasp and get tears in my eyes.
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I am not able to comprehend how people would take kids to see the girl with the dragon tattoo. I had my hands over my eyes for most of it… I can’t imagine taking children to see such graphic scenes.
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I’m 26 and don’t do well watching rape scenes.
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I remember seeing Batman Begins and being amazed at the amount of kids in the film. Some of the scenes in that were pretty scary!
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I saw this the other night too (loved it, great storyline and big laughs) but I too was pretty appalled to see a mum bring in two kids easily well under 10. I thought to myself “what an idiot and irresponsible parent, it’s not hard to check the ratings” … I remember my Dad being nervous about taking me to even M rated movies when I was 15!
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I’m keen to see it, but it sounds a bit like a souped up Seth MacFarlane version of Wilfred to me. What do you reckon?
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Um, I guess you could see it that way, my partner made a comment along these lines when we came out. I didn’t see it that way though. IMO the humour in Wilfred comes from only that one (poor) guy being able to understand him… the humour in Ted lies in the world that is created where a walking, talking teddy bear actually exists.
Definitely trademark MacFarlane though!
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Go see it for an easy weekend laugh, Kris. Just don’t take KDot !
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Might try for next week some time.
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Couldn’t stand “Ted” ( juvenile humour at its worst) – almost walked out – but I love Wilfred. Each to his/her own.
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I love “To her a bong is just a juice bottle! Lighten up!”
I too find it outrageous, luckily for me my daughter’s best friends mother feels the same as I do, and so, as comment 5 suggests, she and I can ruin our children’s lives together.
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Renee, I think you should distance yourself and your daughter from that family IMMEDIATELY
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Wondering if you missed a category:
“7. It’s really frustrating when movies like Batman and Spiderman are made as M rated and the “franchises” inundate the toy shelves with associated toys.”
Puts parents in a difficult spot – both when our kids are little and when they’re pre-teen and we’re in a battle with the peer-pressure of “but Johnny at school is allowed to go see it even though it’s M”. I still have a blanket ban on M-rated movies and tell my kids they can have a movie marathon sleepover for their 15th birthdays!
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It surprises me what some people will take their kids to. I remember seeing a five year old cowering in his seat during The Dark Knight – I was 20 and I was still disturbed by parts of it! I know it’s Batman, but it’s probably safer to rent the earlier movies than take kids to Nolan’s Batman. Heath Ledger’s Joker is not for littlies…
I know it can be hard though – I had to ban the kids I was babysitting from watching Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Channel 9 (the mum had left it to me to decide, since she hadn’t read/seen it, but had mentioned they cried during the first five minutes of Deathly Hallows and then couldn’t finish the movie). The kids pestered me for ages and were devastated when I said no, which was really hard to do in the face of some amazing Pester Power… but those last three movies are really dark! I won them over with icecream in the end, which some might disagree with, but I think that dose of sugar was safer than letting them watch a movie where people are poisoned, possessed, and slashed open on bathroom floors!
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I agree, years ago my husband and I went to see “8 mile” (was huge eminem fan!) there was a woman with two kids around 7 with her, this is MA or R rated film there was sex scenes and a lot of swearing, anyway on the way out we heard her say to the kids “sorry about the sex kids” what the MA rating didn’t give it away…
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