I was reading an article on CNN.com last night that sparked my interest: "Some Parents Wary of 'New Moon.'" There was SO much in there that I could comment on that I just HAD to write about it!
I think we're just completely naive as parents if we really think that telling an 11 or 12 year-old that she can't see these movies will actually stop her. COME ON!!!! We've all been 12, right? I remember when I was 11 and got a shirt that said "FLIRT" on it that my dad threw a HUGE fit about my wearing it and forbid me from doing so. So when I went to go to the roller rink with my friends, I simply wore a sweatshirt out the door. We're women, okay? We're inventive, and we find a way around things. When we're determined, there's no stopping us.
Heather Sokol of Westfield, IN bought advanced tickets to see the film but has been upfront with her 11 year-old daughter about why she won't be allowed to see it, saying that it is based on a young adult novel with content that is too advanced for her. Her reasoning is absolutely on par, but unfortunately, like I said earlier, kids these days are crafty and find ways around the word "no." Not only this, but our 11 year-olds are getting their sex ed. on earlier and earlier these days, so although the content is quite possibly inappropriate, it's unfortunately, not something most kids these days haven't been exposed to.
Kimberly (OF COURSE her name is 'Kim') Noe, 46, is on the defense with her daughter, Daisy, 11, when it comes to the Twilight saga. She has decided that the best way to combat the issue is to paint the series in a negative light, calling it "dumb," with regard to the plotlines. She's read the series herself (and no doubt purchased every book, I'm sure) and thinks that by complaining about the ridiculousness of the series her daughter will not be quite as "rabid" as the other girls her age. However, her daughter was the first one to nab a copy of Vanity Fair with Robert Pattinson on the cover. Is her defense a probable one? Not in my humble opinion, it's not. Let's be honest with our kids, okay Kim? You read the series, probably bought it and have seen the movie(s). It's a GREAT series, full of imagination and fantastic writing. Most of us can say that we literally COULD NOT put it down! For goodness sakes, we teach our kids that lying is wrong, so don't lie to the girl. She's 11, she's brighter than you may be giving her credit for, so open a dialogue. If she wants to read the books or see the films, I say let her! And use it for a springboard for discussion. What's realistic about it and what's not? What, at her age, should she make sure to take away from it? What can we learn from Bella?
Natalie Hjelsvold sat down with her daughter Ashlyn, 9, recently to watch the first movie. First of all, WHAT?! The girl is NINE! I mean, at 9, I'd say most parents would say it's completely inappropriate. At 9, the girl probably can't comprehend most of the plot and doesn't need to be exposed to so much violence and gore. Aside from that, while watching the movie, Natalie made sure to interject the following commentary: 'boys don't think about girls like that,' 'boys won't stare at you across the parking lot like that,' 'boys don't spend all day thinking about you and wishing you were sitting beside them in class,' 'boys won't sniff your hair.'" Um, what?! Does she interject similar commentary while her daughter's watching 'Cinderella' and 'Sleeping Beauty'? I'm just curious. It's a FANTASY. It's a fairy tale. It's FICTION. Not only that, but I hope that my daughter DOES believe men do some of those things! The man my daughter ends up with should worship the ground she walks on, and there's nothing wrong with believing in romance. Although it's not mainstream, it DOES exist. Why should we ruin the magic for our daughters? Does this woman make sure she tells her daughter "there's no such thing as Santa Clause and fairies don't exist either"?
Seriously, people, there was more in this article. Rachel Holzman made sure that before she would allow her daughter to see the movie that she (her daughter) PROVED she understood that "Bella's obsessive compulsiveness over a boy wasn't something she should aspire to." Um, how exactly does one PROVE she understands something like that? I mean, really?? Her daughter's age is not given, but she says that she allowed her to read all 4 books. If the girl is able to read all 4 books, then she's old enough to see the movies. And again, I think it's just important to TALK about what is going on and what's appropriate and what's not.
The argument parents have for not wanting their daughters to see "New Moon," surprisingly has little to do with the sexual innuendo and violence or more to do with "Bella's all-encompassing and self-destructive passion for Edward." This, to me, is quite puzzling. I mean, I understand that Bella's behavior wouldn't be considered healthy or appropriate by our standards, but I have to say that the violence and sexual innuendo are equally as inappropriate for our young viewers! And again, it's all about communication. As long as we communicate with our kids, we'll be much better off. So I say to these parents: Get off the defense, get on the offense, and start talking. Be honest with your children, they'll have a lot more respect for you in the long run.
Some Parents Wary of 'New Moon'
I think we're just completely naive as parents if we really think that telling an 11 or 12 year-old that she can't see these movies will actually stop her. COME ON!!!! We've all been 12, right? I remember when I was 11 and got a shirt that said "FLIRT" on it that my dad threw a HUGE fit about my wearing it and forbid me from doing so. So when I went to go to the roller rink with my friends, I simply wore a sweatshirt out the door. We're women, okay? We're inventive, and we find a way around things. When we're determined, there's no stopping us.
Heather Sokol of Westfield, IN bought advanced tickets to see the film but has been upfront with her 11 year-old daughter about why she won't be allowed to see it, saying that it is based on a young adult novel with content that is too advanced for her. Her reasoning is absolutely on par, but unfortunately, like I said earlier, kids these days are crafty and find ways around the word "no." Not only this, but our 11 year-olds are getting their sex ed. on earlier and earlier these days, so although the content is quite possibly inappropriate, it's unfortunately, not something most kids these days haven't been exposed to.
Kimberly (OF COURSE her name is 'Kim') Noe, 46, is on the defense with her daughter, Daisy, 11, when it comes to the Twilight saga. She has decided that the best way to combat the issue is to paint the series in a negative light, calling it "dumb," with regard to the plotlines. She's read the series herself (and no doubt purchased every book, I'm sure) and thinks that by complaining about the ridiculousness of the series her daughter will not be quite as "rabid" as the other girls her age. However, her daughter was the first one to nab a copy of Vanity Fair with Robert Pattinson on the cover. Is her defense a probable one? Not in my humble opinion, it's not. Let's be honest with our kids, okay Kim? You read the series, probably bought it and have seen the movie(s). It's a GREAT series, full of imagination and fantastic writing. Most of us can say that we literally COULD NOT put it down! For goodness sakes, we teach our kids that lying is wrong, so don't lie to the girl. She's 11, she's brighter than you may be giving her credit for, so open a dialogue. If she wants to read the books or see the films, I say let her! And use it for a springboard for discussion. What's realistic about it and what's not? What, at her age, should she make sure to take away from it? What can we learn from Bella?
Natalie Hjelsvold sat down with her daughter Ashlyn, 9, recently to watch the first movie. First of all, WHAT?! The girl is NINE! I mean, at 9, I'd say most parents would say it's completely inappropriate. At 9, the girl probably can't comprehend most of the plot and doesn't need to be exposed to so much violence and gore. Aside from that, while watching the movie, Natalie made sure to interject the following commentary: 'boys don't think about girls like that,' 'boys won't stare at you across the parking lot like that,' 'boys don't spend all day thinking about you and wishing you were sitting beside them in class,' 'boys won't sniff your hair.'" Um, what?! Does she interject similar commentary while her daughter's watching 'Cinderella' and 'Sleeping Beauty'? I'm just curious. It's a FANTASY. It's a fairy tale. It's FICTION. Not only that, but I hope that my daughter DOES believe men do some of those things! The man my daughter ends up with should worship the ground she walks on, and there's nothing wrong with believing in romance. Although it's not mainstream, it DOES exist. Why should we ruin the magic for our daughters? Does this woman make sure she tells her daughter "there's no such thing as Santa Clause and fairies don't exist either"?
Seriously, people, there was more in this article. Rachel Holzman made sure that before she would allow her daughter to see the movie that she (her daughter) PROVED she understood that "Bella's obsessive compulsiveness over a boy wasn't something she should aspire to." Um, how exactly does one PROVE she understands something like that? I mean, really?? Her daughter's age is not given, but she says that she allowed her to read all 4 books. If the girl is able to read all 4 books, then she's old enough to see the movies. And again, I think it's just important to TALK about what is going on and what's appropriate and what's not.
The argument parents have for not wanting their daughters to see "New Moon," surprisingly has little to do with the sexual innuendo and violence or more to do with "Bella's all-encompassing and self-destructive passion for Edward." This, to me, is quite puzzling. I mean, I understand that Bella's behavior wouldn't be considered healthy or appropriate by our standards, but I have to say that the violence and sexual innuendo are equally as inappropriate for our young viewers! And again, it's all about communication. As long as we communicate with our kids, we'll be much better off. So I say to these parents: Get off the defense, get on the offense, and start talking. Be honest with your children, they'll have a lot more respect for you in the long run.
Some Parents Wary of 'New Moon'
(Sorry for blowing up your comments lol)
ReplyDeleteWhat I think is hilarious is, yes Bella's affection may be questionable - but please, how many of us can remember back to when we were juniors and seniors in high school? The time where the sun rose and set on the boys we had crushes on! Give it a rest, people! lol
While I understand your point, as a parent it is still my job to tell my children what is and isn't acceptable. If she chooses to disobey and finds a way around it, there will be consequences when I find out about it. That's what parenting is about.
ReplyDeleteI have been completely honest with my child about this entire situation. She knows that as an adult, I may choose to watch movies that are not appropriate for a tween. It's life. Am I supposed to just allow her to do whatever she wants, whenever she wants because she might find a way to do it anyway? That's just plain ludicrous.
(By the way, that's an old article and now that I've seen the movie myself and determined it is age-appropriate for her, she has as seen it as well).
~Heather Sokol