In many Christian circles there is something known as the age of accountability. To put it simply, this is basically the age at which a person reaches when they are fully aware of the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of choosing one or the other. This is the age when doing wrong, choosing against God, parents, etc. is a deliberate and purposeful choice and they are now held accountable for that choice, good or bad. There is no set-in-stone age and it is not necessarily a flip of the switch kind of thing, but that’s what it is, in a nutshell. I liken this post to something like that. Many often wonder when that age of accountability occurs. Today I’m wondering what age is the right age to bring your kids to the theater?
A while back I went with Tres to see Ghost Rider 2. I rarely pony up the money for 3D but Tres is a fan of it so I decided to give it a whirl. Not impressed, at least not on that movie. Anyway, while we were sitting there waiting through the ads, anticipating what trailers there might be, a young couple (late 20’s to mid 30’s) came in with what I would guess was their 2 year old child. Yes, a 2 year old… at Ghost Rider 2. I turned to Tres and we both had pretty puzzled looks on our faces.
Now, I’ll give some credit. The kid was quiet, no outbursts of crying or anything that I can recall. He may have fallen asleep for all I know. But if he didn’t, I would be shocked if that kid didn’t have nightmares the rest of the month. C’mon, you have a flaming skull head exacting fiery retribution on the scum of the earth, and you bring your two year old?!? Ever heard of a babysitter??? You can’t tell me there wasn’t a grandparent, sibling, aunt/uncle, best friend or regular babysitter to watch the kid for the couple hours you just had to see this movie. In fact, go all out! Take your lady out to dinner and give yourselves a full date night. If not, here’s a wild idea: skip the movie!
This all got me thinking, what age is the right age to bring your children to certain movies? I would hope there is near universal agreement that 2 years old is too young for Ghost Rider. But, when I take my kids to Despicable Me 2 in about a month it won’t surprise me at all to see a 2 year old there. As much as I can’t wait until my son is old enough to join me in the theaters for most of the movies I like, I’ll guarantee you he’ll be about 6 or 7 times older than that before I bring him with me to something like Ghost Rider. There has to be some kind of filter you apply there as a parent. If there is any question at all, don’t you at least see the movie yourself first, then decide if it is appropriate for your child?
“I really appreciate the depth of dialogue in this film!”
My son is five, he’s big into superheroes right now. When Avengers came out I knew right away he’d want to see it. So I made the adult decision to check it out on the big screen… 12 times… before letting him see it. I suspected it may be the type of movie that younger kids could still enjoy. Even then I had reservations about the violence in some parts and some of the language. With caution I let him watch it at home, during the day with plenty of lighting, and he loved it. However, he’s going to have to wait a while before I let him see The Dark Knight, even if it is at home. Both are superhero movies (even if Batman isn’t actually a SUPERhero), but both very different in severity, realism, etc.
So I guess my point is this: use a little discretion when deciding what movies to allow your kids to watch. In fact, use a lot of discretion! Kids aren’t kids forever. Kids are still naïve about a lot of things, they have some innocence left in them and they have a drastically different view of the world than an adult does. There is no need to rush them out of those stages of life. I think exposing them to certain forms of entertainment can do just that, despite their incessant pleading! So, parents, when you line up to see World War Z this summer, leave the toddlers at home 😉
“Ooooh I can’t wait to watch flesh eating zombies in full IMAX 3D!”
I remember going to see Step Brothers with my brother. The couple in the row ahead of us brought their three or four year old. TO STEP BROTHERS! That child was probably scarred for life.
I don’t have any kids, but I remember watching dark and scary movies as a young kid. I don’t think the age is set in stone, like with the age of accountability.
Wow, Step Brothers is even rated R! Lot of uhhh… phrases… a kid can pickup from that one, LOL. Thanks for the comment, Austin!
“Wreck-It Ralph”, the clever kids’ animated movie that takes place in a video game, had a scene in which a song repeats “Shut Up and Drive” over and over. Most parents don’t want their young children saying “shut-up”. Even kids movies aren’t always completely kid-friendly.
I do remember that, luckily it was happening during a lot of visual action, maybe most kids didn’t catch it. That’s an easy one to slip by. Lot’s of animated movies try to slip in some more “adult” humor to please parents but sometimes I wonder what the kids are catching onto. Thanks Tonya!
This makes me think if the Tuscon Dark Knight Rises shooting. Obviously when I heard about the tragedy that occurred I was heartbroken but then when I learned about the young kid, 6 year, that died I felt even sadder. But then a slightly worse feeling crept over me, what kind of parent actually takes a 6 yr old to see a movie like that? Not saying they deserved the heartache but some people need to use common sense when choosing age appropriate movies. Also note, there was a story of a guy that ran from the theater when the shooting started, leaving his gf, her 8 yr old and their 1 yr old. Fortunently none of that family was killed but again seriously parent skills in major question. If I were ever in that situation my response would be to grab kid and run. And if that isn’t possible shield kid with my body.
We as parents have to protect our children from evil, whether it be a terrorist or a bad movie.
Amen, Mike! That is a shame that such young children were killed at that shooting, let alone anyone. Lot’s of stories of heroism from that horrible event. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn. 15:13) Thanks for the thoughts, Mike!
Great reminder! Back in my secular days, I remember going to see “Scream” and noticing a couple bring their little toddler in. Even as a secular person I remember thinking that was just wrong. I’m certainly going to be tracking very closely the things that my son is exposed until he’s been properly trained in the Christian worldview. I don’t know when that age is but it won’t be 2! Ha.
Definitely not 2, LOL. Thanks N.P.!
I do not agree with the theological idea of the “age of accountability”, but I 100% agree with the “Age of appropriate movie watching”. I went and watched “Ted” which is rated R and was shocked to find a 12ish boy there with his mom. I assume that he convinced his mother it was a cute cuddely story about a teddy bear with some cursing. I new that the movie would have crude humor, drugs, ect, but was still shocked by some of the things in it! I was 30 at the time and felt akward at times, what must that 12 year old felt!? I have no children, but I will definitely prescreen EVERYHTING my child watches/reads/listens to.
Maybe it could be called the “age of watchability”??? I didn’t even go to see Ted, I had no hope of that being anything but a very crude and vulgar excuse for comedy. Thanks Eric!
My daughter will soon be 3 years old and has yet to go to the movies. I’m thinking to wait until she’s 4 or 5 and even then, the movie will need to pass my approval. Violence, vulgar language and sexual innuendo are out automatically for her. Also, especially at this stage, I try to limit movies with overtly romantic themes or in which the female protagonist finds her happiness or worth in a man (think older Disney movies). I’m sure I’ll never be successful in delaying all of those themes until the appropriate age, but I really do believe what we watch, especially at very early ages, affects who we become. Thanks for some interesting thoughts and a neat blog!
Thanks for the kind words, Bart! I can certainly sympathize with holding off on trips to the movies and you bring up some good concerns there. Even in a lot of animated films today there are covertly placed jokes intended for the parents in the audience, but sometimes I wonder how much of that the kids actually “get” or how much is soaking in. Thanks for the comment and we hope you enjoy the blog!
Hi Gene,
I’d like permission to excerpt this article. Would you mind contacting me?
Many thanks,
Jackie
No problem Jackie. Feel free to quote any portion you like and link back to the post. Hope you enjoy what you read here!