Am I being over-protective?
Find a Conversation
Am I being over-protective?
| Thu, 03-23-2006 - 4:45pm |
The drama teacher at school showed the kids the movie "Rent". I am severely opposed to her showing this movie with such overtly sexual themes to my 14 year-old son. One of my friends said that I am being over the top because I feel angry at this teacher over past incidents.
I thought I would come and see what your opinions are as I have come to trust your opinions as a frequent lurker,
Michelle

Pages
The non-popular opinion but yes I do think you may be over-reacting. Its a drama class and this is a popular film about people struggling in artistic careers -- and yes there may be sexual content but that's life isn't it?
A question: how would you react if he saw "Terminator"? Would you be okay with that? "Terminator" is full of explosions, violence -- an overall angry, dark film. I've seen studies that say parents object more to films with sexual content than films with violence. But when you think about it, maybe less than 1% of us will ever do something violent in our lives but almost ALL of us will have sex some day.
We all have to get over this obsession with not allowing our teens to see/hear/read anything about sex. They deal with these feelings of awakening sexuality every day and by trying to oppress them from even seeing it portrayed in film and art are we sending them the message that what they feel is "wrong"? Just a thought.
Rent wasn't that bad. Its not like she showed them pornography or something. Ask him what HE thought of the film and I bet the sexuality barely registered....
That is the thing... Yes, I am very offended by violent movies. My children do not watch them unless I have previewed the movie and deemed them "ok". I review movies mercilessly before attending anything at the theatre. I visit no less than two reviews that are from a parent's perspective.
I do not feel that a teacher has the right to show any film above a PG rating at a high school and G in elementary. Period! The fact that my son is currently in counseling for sexually related issues though, does in fact cause me to have more reservations with the teacher showing Rent.
Michelle
Kristie
Michelle
I want to encourage you to sit down today and write down all the events you can clearly remember that involve this teacher. I think that you would have been only a little upset about the movie if it was the only thing this teacher has done. But, it seems Mrs. ___ has decided she's gonna do what she wants to do, regardless what anyone thinks, and since no one has spoken up, she's able to get away with it.
So put it all down on paper, this will make sure that you can include all the details and that you are recalling all the events. Then, you can hand that to the principal, showing that it's not just 1 or 2 things, but this series of things. Removing your child from campus without your permission is a legal violation. I'd probably chat with an attorney, get a real feel for what the laws are, then you can speak knowledgeably about them. I know that if I found out that a teacher was taking my child (of any age!!) off campus without my permission, I would file something legally, more to make a point than anything else. I'm concerned now that this teacher is grooming students for potential abuse. Seems to be the vane she's going in.
Oh...I stand corrected. I checked the rating of the movie and it's PG13. Since it touched on so many issues, I thought it was rated R.
UPDATE:
I have gotten some resolution from the school. The teacher is now required to send home notices prior to showing films and have written permission to remove my son from school grounds. I am not entirely happy with the resolution because I wonder how many children saw the film and were influenced, but did not talk to their parents about it...
For now though my concern has to be for my child, I guess. Part of me feels I should have been an advocate for all the students, but an even bigger part of me wants my son to have a "normal" school life. Which means, no mom going to the newspaper or having a fit in the principal's office about what was shown in class.
I hope I am doing the right thing,
Michelle
Pages