Hot Topic (3/27): Should Parents Bring Young Children to R-Rated Movies?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

 Occasionally, parents choose to take their children younger than age 17 to R-rated movies. 

What do you think when you see kids in movies that are intended for adults?  Should children be allowed to watch movies rated PG-13 and above?  

Do you take your children to movies that are R-rated?  Why or why not?   

What about babies?  Do they belong in movie theaters?

[mmtosam06]

 NO if they want to see an R Ratedmovie find a sitter

[Mommy_Jenn]

If my child was 14 - 16 and I think they were mature enough to handle it.. Then yes.

Anything under 14.. NO NO NO!  Expecially babies.  I'm sorry, I understand how hard it is for you to get a babysitter, but don't bother the others in the audience, certainly parents who could find baby sitters you don't want to listen to another persons baby crying, or cooing during the movie.  All I want to hear during an action scene is a baby giggle.  Its rude. 

*RANTING HERE*

When me and my husband went to go see Borat in theaters.  This guy brought in his 6 yO girl and his 8YO son.  This movie should have been NC-17 for godsake and this guy brings in his children!! COME ON!  For any of you who haven't seen this movie.  There is a scene in a hotel where Borat and his very fat friend get into a fight nakked.  They weren't shy either.  Can you imagine explaining that to a 6 & 8 YO?!?!  Not appropriate at all.  Leave them home, if you can't DONT GO.

[BabyGracesMommy]

Well it really depends on the content of the movie and the age of the child, for some I would, for some I wouldn't.

[Mommy_of_Riley]

It depends on the child.  Some kids are mature enough to watch horror movies and others are not.  My little brother was watching horror movies at 7 (our family are BIG horror movie fans).  He understood that the movies were not real and that the "monsters" and such were made for the movie.  He never had nightmares and he still loves horror movies today (he is almost 13 now).  I don't think we ever took him to a theater to see an R rated movie though... we rented them at home.  My kids will probably watch horror movies at a young age as well if they are mature enough to handle it.  If they are not then we won't watch those movies until they go to bed...  

By the way...  my little brother's favorite movie at 7 was Bride of Chucky...  LOL  I don't know why...

[hsteele]

I don't think any of us can say whose child is and is not mature enough to see which movies. Movies are rated as a recommendation for parents. They can choose to ignore that rating if they want. They're the ones who have to do the explaining. I do think though that its extremely annoying to go see a movie for adults and have to listen to snickering kids. But thats what happens at a movie theater. None of us have the right though to tell another parent how to take care of their kids. We can have our opinions but they're not our kids.

[resamerie]

My DD is only 6. In no way do I think she is ready for an R-rated movie. Usually with the blood and guts, sex is thrown in there somewhere. She's too young for either IMO. Let a kid be a kid for a while. They'll have plenty of time  to see all that when they're older.

 And please, when I'm paying almost $50 including tickets and snacks for a night out at the movies, I wish people would kindly not bring their crying infants. 

[PamR]

And then there was the time my dh and I went to see "Basic Instinct," full of graphic sex and violence, and there was a guy in the theater with a child of about 5. The poor kid kept saying, "Daddy, I'm scared." Did daddy take the kid out? Nope. R rated movies are not for children. Get a babysitter.

[realtorshelly]

No. It's inappropriate. Babies don't belong in a theatre, period. It's rude. Plus, it's way too loud!

 

[sassyandy124]

    I agree with those that said it depends on the movie and the child. I took my nephew to see Blade trinity and he was 8. However, he had seen the 1st and 2nd Blade and had no problems with being scared. Frankly I don't go to the movies a lot because there haven't been any in a long time I felt was worth the price. I just wait until it comes on demand or get it from netflix.

[emily351982]

Maybe when they get to be in their teens but kids any younger do not belong in R rated movies so young.  I definitely won't be exposing my son to those movies at such a young age.  I've got a 2 yr old and we've yet to bring him to the movies and when we do, it will definitely be a movie made for kids.  If we want to see a movie, we usually rent it and watch it after our son has gone to bed.