Got Kids?

Nephews, Nieces, Godchildren? What do you take them to see?

I don’t mean little kids. I mean those maybe in the 10 – 13 age range.

Do you take them to see what they want to see or do you take them to see what you want them to see?

More often than not, I figure parents probably take their kids to see what the child wants to see.

Have you ever taken them to a mindless black film? Probably. I’m sure if I were taking kids to the movies and they were insisting I take them to see Juwanna Mann (2002) or if all their friends were going or if… I’d probably take them. Hell, I would take them, on occasion. It’s just reality.

So, we all go to the movies.

But are we done yet?  (no pun intended)

What happens after the movies and Mickey D’s?

I wonder if there is dialog between adult and child about what they just saw and what it means; what it really, really means and what it doesn’t mean.

After all, at the age of 10 – 13, a child is in puberty and adolescence. They’re forming their values, etc. I think a two hour lecture on what ails the black film industry is probably not going to hit home at that age, but is there a place for any kind of discussion about the deeper meaning of the film and an explanation of the images it presents?

Comments

[iris]

i don't have kids and my niece and nephew are under 3. when i was young, after like 14 my mom allowed us to watch any movie no matter the rating.

[johnny wishbone]

i discussed most things with my dad including movies and what they really meant. i have always discussed movies and what they really mean with my brothers and sisters (i am the oldest of four siblings) and i actually will discuss it with anyone within earshot not quick enough to escape.

[NU NU]

Just checking to see what you talking bout cause bossip is starting to get boaring as helll!!!

[theblackactor.com]

LOL @ Nu Nu

yeah; nothing too juicy over there today. LMAO.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Iris, Johnny:

Yeah; I was just wondering if/how people with kids handle this... or not.

[Da Drew]

I have twins who just turned 10. I do not allow them to watch just anything. This is how I was raised, although when I was growing up, there were not as many "black" films showing. I have been following the rules of the school district which states that elementary students can only watch G movies on school premesise unless approved by a parent. Recently, I have let them watch some PG movies depending on the theme/material but they have not seen any of the stuff that is out. They are more into what is on Nick and the cartoon network. Some of my relatives allow children they same age as mine and younger watch just about anything. This is something I do not agree with especially since it may cause our children to start exhibiting the negative stereotypes that are shown. My mother once gave me this advice when the twins were really young and I was listening to some rap song on the radio - "Trash in, trash out". They repeat everything they hear and she was right.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Da Drew

That's cool you give this thought, Da Drew. Like you said, some parents don't. Yup; garbage in, garbage out.

Awwwwwwwwwwwh; ten year old twins; how cute. :)

[MyReal1]

Hey TBA, Hot topic!
As a mother of a 13 year old daughter, I must admit that we somewhat make movie selections for her. My husband and I try to keep life very real for our daughter. The world is not going to hold back anything and I believe the more we allow our child to experience in our presenence, the more confident we can feel about the choices she will make in her adult life. Grant it there are somethings out there that we think may be full of adult content that her 13 year old mind may not be ready to take in, but in the since of watching a film for substance, I refuse to allow the things that are seen on television or on the big screen to raise my child. As parents we must be the biggest influence in our childrens lives. Stop dropping the ball PARENTS!! Movies are for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!! Talk to your children about what they see and hear. We sometime watch things as a family to see where our daughter head is on a particular subject. We can't think that hiding things from our children will keep them from being exposed, if anything YOU just seem like an unrelatable parent. With kids, my motto is "To each his own" because they don't come with manuals and we can only do our best as parents. Be the influence, then movie can remain Entertainment for them and not their guides to life.

[theblackactor.com]

@ My Real 1

Yup; no point in hiding them from stuff, the world ain't. Part of good parenting is showing, then explaining.