As a parent, I’ve exposed my son to several films that may not be age-appropriate. This wasn’t part of our initial plan. When he was born, my partner and I committed to limiting screen time and being selective about the content he consumed, especially considering the prevalent violence in media. We’re not overly strict; we simply wanted him to be mature enough to comprehend what he was watching before diving into action-packed scenes.
With this in mind, I initially hesitated to introduce him to the Star Wars saga, thinking I’d wait until he was at least six. While the violence in that galaxy isn’t overly graphic, it does feature lightsaber duels, gunfire, explosions, and some touching moments (poor Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen!). However, as he started to hear spoilers from peers at school and during playdates, I felt pressured to share these classics sooner. I couldn’t allow some kid to reveal Luke’s lineage before my son even knew who Luke was! So, I relented and showed him Episode IV when he was just four.
During my childhood, we had a wealth of live-action films aimed at kids, most of which were rated PG. Not every PG film was suitable for all children, as maturity levels vary, but back then, the standards seemed more forgiving. Movies like Gremlins, Ghostbusters, E.T., The Princess Bride, and Beetlejuice were all rated PG, partly because the PG-13 rating hadn’t yet been established. It was up to parents to determine what was suitable for their family.
Fast forward to today, and PG has essentially become the new G. My six-year-old is not satisfied with G-rated films anymore. Once we’ve exhausted Disney and Pixar offerings, along with animal- or Muppet-centric stories, we find ourselves facing a dearth of live-action options for kids under 12. It seems that after showing him all the available age-appropriate films, we quickly transitioned to PG-13 titles, simply because there aren’t many suitable choices left for his age group.
After introducing him to A New Hope, it didn’t take long for him to explore the rest of the trilogy. Following a few live-action films, we ventured into some of the gentler superhero movies. However, cartoons began to feel less engaging, and we found ourselves in a bit of a bind.
In a few years, I’ll be able to share classics like The Karate Kid and Back to the Future—films that don’t contain objectionable content but might be too advanced for him at this age. Themes such as romantic relationships, high school challenges, and the complexities of life are relatable to older kids, but not quite to a six-year-old. Until then, we’re left with limited options, which is why my son has already seen more Marvel movies than he probably should have. It’s also disappointing when films like Batman v. Superman turn beloved heroes into brooding, tortured figures.
So, we find ourselves pushing the boundaries even further. Just last night, we didn’t actually watch anything inappropriate, but I jested about watching films like Taxi Driver or Requiem for a Dream—definitely not on the viewing list for my son. In reality, I wouldn’t dream of letting him see those movies. I can barely explain the complexities of superhero films without introducing more adult themes.
Hollywood needs to step up and create fresh content for the pre-teen audience, or else I’ll be left with no choice but to show him films that are clearly too mature. Otherwise, we’ll end up repeating the same movies until I start feeling like I’m trapped in a horror flick. I’d rather not have my home resemble the Overlook Hotel!
In conclusion, we are in desperate need of quality films that cater to the under-12 crowd. It’s time for the industry to provide us with options that are both entertaining and age-appropriate. If you’re curious about fertility and family planning, check out our post on fertility boosters for men or explore seminal fluid topics for more information. For anyone seeking guidance on pregnancy, CCRM IVF’s blog serves as an excellent resource.