Younger teens getting R movie passes.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Younger teens getting R movie passes.
21
Tue, 06-08-2004 - 8:35am

What do you think of younger teens viewing R-rated movies without their parents? Are they too impressionable to view violent, sexually explicit or foul language?  Or would you consider your, hypothetical, teen's maturity?


I recently saw "Troy", it was pretty bloody with some sexual content. I don't think I would have wanted my younger teen to see it without being accompanied by an adult. Films are rated for a specific reason.


Younger teens getting R-rated movie passes.


http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Midwest/06/07/movie.r.card.ap/index.html


Still weeks shy of her 16th birthday, Sydni Norris caught the R-rated war epic "Troy" on the big screen last month while her parents stayed home.


The Bloomington teen-ager's way around the rating system's age limit was a parent-approved pass card that has started a debate over convenience vs. parental responsibility and raised fears that the government might jump in to settle the dispute.


Supporters say parents can sign off on movies for their kids without the time and expense of chaperoning them with the new R-card, which Springfield-based GKC Theatres began rolling out last fall in parts of its 22-city chain in Illinois and three other Midwest states. The card only works for the R-rating, which requires children under 17 to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.


"I like it because now we don't have to wait until they come out on video," said Norris, a high school junior whose parents had to accompany her and sign for the $2 photo ID.


Critics argue that the cards amount to parents handing the delicate decision about what movies are appropriate to their kids, a shift they say violates the intent of the motion picture industry's voluntary rating system.


"All R-rated films are not alike. It is the parents' responsibility to make specific judgments about R films -- and wrong to give a blanket endorsement to all," said Jack Valenti, president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, which issues movie ratings.


GKC, the nation's 15th largest theater chain, is the only theater network in the nation offering the card, said John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners.


Some opponents fear that leaving movie choices to kids could taint the ratings system, voluntarily enforced by theaters since 1968. They say that could open the door to government regulation that would stifle creativity and experimentation in film making.


"If parents lose faith in the system, the first thing they'll ask is 'What are our recourses?' Then, we could start hearing from every politician that wants to make a name for himself in the name of family values," said Dann Gire, president of the Chicago Film Critics Association.


GKC has issued about 700 R-cards -- most in central Illinois -- and plans to offer them throughout the chain by the end of the year, said James Whitman, the company's director of operations and marketing.


A convenience factor

Whitman said he came up with the idea after parents complained that they wanted to let their kids see R-rated movies but didn't want to sit through the films themselves. He said GKC encourages parents to give the cards to kids only after approving a movie.


"From what I can tell, the people who have them like them and the parents are trying to use them responsibly. We're not being inundated with kids whose parents are giving them access to everything that comes on the screen," Whitman said.


The motion picture and theater owners associations are pressing GKC to abandon the program, but some parents think the cards are a good idea.


Joyce Needham, of Peoria, said she discusses every movie "before and after" her 16-year-old grandson uses his R-card. With or without a card, she said, kids will find a way to get what they want.


"I just think communication is the answer and trusting the child," Needham said. "If you can discuss what's going on in this world, you're better off than letting them find a way to do it on their own."

cl-Libraone~

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2003
Tue, 06-08-2004 - 10:50am

I think it is a good idea, I don't have a problem with this at all.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2003
Tue, 06-08-2004 - 1:48pm
>>What do you think of younger teens viewing R-rated movies without their parents? Are they too impressionable to view violent, sexually explicit or foul language? Or would you consider your, hypothetical, teen's maturity?<<

Until I got to college, I didn't even know there were restrictions on R-rated movies - I've been going to them since I can remember. My dad is a big movie fan, so he'd take us (but then we always had big discussions about cinematography and all that too). I think it's fine for teens, provided parents are willing to sit down and discuss certain aspects (particularly the difference between reality and fantasy).

>>I recently saw "Troy", it was pretty bloody with some sexual content.<<

I found Troy to be surprisingly unbloody. There were scenes of stabbing or cutting, but relatively little bleeding.

However, I think these cards are just an excuse for parents to not have to spend time with their kids. We may all think of movies or TV as 'entertainment', but they also provide an enormous amount of societal education as well - and these are important factors in child and adolescent development. I think parents should WANT to accompany their kids to R-rated movies.

I find it irresponsible on the part of the theatre chains to offer these cards. But of course, it *is* more profitable this way...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Tue, 06-08-2004 - 2:08pm

Before reading any other responses...


I have a teenager under 17.


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2003
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 9:20am

I find it irresponsible on the part of the theatre chains to offer these cards. But of course, it *is* more profitable this way...


I couldn't disagree more, why are the theatre's being "irresponsible" by offering these cards?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2003
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 1:06pm
>>why are the theatre's being "irresponsible" by offering these cards?<<

because they're operating from the profit motive (and yes, i understand that not everyone thinks that's a bad thing). i also think they're sending a misleading message to parents that all r-rated movies are the same and that parents needn't worry about the movies their kids are seeing.

i do realize that it's not the theatres' responsibility to decide how parents should make decisions about movies, but the rating system is voluntary and i appreciate the movie industry's attempt to be socially conscious, something that could be circumvented by this new procedure.

now, in an ideal world, parents would maintain control over the card and only give it to their kids to see certain movies, but this isn't an ideal world.

all said and done, though, this isn't that big of a deal. i've been seeing r-rated movies since i can remember and i turned out (relatively) ok. :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2003
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 1:23pm

now, in an ideal world, parents would maintain control over the card and only give it to their kids to see certain movies, but this isn't an ideal world.


Well, since the parent is required to be there to create the card (and we should require that it is the parent, not just someone over the age of 17), then it is within the parent's control as to whether or not they get the card, and whether or not the kid has to return the card after going to the movie.

rating system is voluntary and i appreciate the movie industry's attempt to be socially conscious, something that could be circumvented by this new procedure.

I don't get where this allows the kids to "circumvent" the system.

Avatar for tykwondosha
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-10-2004 - 9:06am
I see nothing wrong with the card. This from a person whose 4 year old kid has seen Thirteen Ghosts, Bad Boys, From Hell, and loves music videos and Wild Boyz on MTV. Why do I seem to be so nonchalant? I watch them with her, and I explain everything she might find confusing or frightening. No nightmares, no inappropriate behavior. What a model child. The only thing I find odjectionable about these films is the sexual content. Until she's of age, my kid won't see any sex scenes and kissing scenes are limited too. But once you're old enough to understand the movie and it's concepts there is no reason you should be allowed to watch whatever you want without parental approval or guidance. As long as these teens have a strng foundation about what's right and wrong they'll be fine.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-10-2004 - 9:36am

<<>>


Isn't this an argument similar to blaming McDonald's for one's obesity?


An "R" rating comes with an explanation of "No one under 17 without PARENTAL CONSENT."

________________________________________________

"If you don't stand up for something, you'll lie down for anything." -- B

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2004
Thu, 06-10-2004 - 4:09pm
If they're under 17 don't let them go alone. If you want to take them that's fine with me but you need not to let them see very many. You need to set limits on how many that they can see per month or per year.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2004
Thu, 06-10-2004 - 5:17pm
I think it is completely important for parents to sit and talk with their children about the media, and how it is not meant to reflect REAL life. In regards to young teens watching R-rated movies, being a teen myself, I feel that most movies are targeted towards the youth. Whether or not young teens are educated about fact vs fiction, the parents play a key role in any possible negative outcomes that might occur because of an R-rated film. The media world is meant to be an escape or inspiration to people, not a How to Live Life guide. Parents need allow children to have their freedom and allow them to make the best possible decisions, but at the same time, they need to instill positive morals and values in their children's young lives.

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