Re: A different kind of movie revue
Submitted by Rainboy on 2009-07-1 01:03:24, Wednesday
In reply to A different kind of movie revue submitted by Chris on 2009-06-29 20:33:07, Monday
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I've gotta say, this is an issue about which I'm somewhat on the fence. I did see Transformers 2, and I must admit, I was kinda shocked by some of the scenes (dogs humping dogs, robots humping legs, the language). [I didn't even notice Megan Fox :-)] It was way too much. And on top of that, it really wasn't a very good movie -- overly long, overly cheesy, etc. Would I take a 6 year old to see it? No. Should parents take a 6 year old to see it? No. I am not a parent, and I doubt I ever will be, so take this with a grain of salt. I realize parents probably have a very different perspective on issues like this, when it concerns their own child. However, I tend to feel that well-meaning Christian parents can sometimes take protecting their children too far. Should a 13-year-old boy be allowed by his parents to see Kill Bill or the Saw movies? No. I think it's perfectly legitimate for a parent to put their foot down and say, no, this is for your protection. However, when Christian parents prevent their 13-year-old (or even their 11 or 12-year-old) from watching, say, Harry Potter, Twilight, or Transformers 2, I feel that can do more harm than good. Yes, there may be some objectionable content, and yes, that content may not be good for the kid, but at some point he's going to have to start making decisions for himself. Is it not better to start allowing him to make such decisions, even if some of the decisions may not be the best? It's human nature that, often, it's the very thing that we are NOT allowed to have, that we desire all the more. I think it can often happen that, when I child is overly "protected" -- particularly if the child perceives that protection as oppressive -- the moment they are able to break free, they'll will -- and they'll end up running in the wrong direction. What does God do with us? We're His children. Does He smother us? Does He physically prevent us from messing up? Does He make our decisions for us? No. He gives a great deal of freedom. Yes, He gives us guidance, and He desires for us to make the right choices, but in the end the choices are ours to make. Shouldn't we -- within limits -- use a similar model when dealing with children and movies? I tend to feel that, if a child is raised by loving parents, and if those parents raise that child up to be discerning, and to know right from wrong, that child will never make a mistake. OK, kidding about the last bit. The child will mess up. Definitely! But, if the parent allows the child the freedom -- again, within limits -- to see movies with some objectionable content, (a) that content will not be nearly as desirable (as it would have been had it been completely forbidden), and (b) the child will feel that the parent trusts them enough to make good choices, and hopefully they will even start to "self edit" what they choose to watch. Is it not much better to have a child grow to adulthood with their own ability to judge right from wrong, rather than having all such decisions made for them? [I am not arguing for complete, anything-goes freedom for children. Far from it. But I think "protecting children" can go too far, particularly in Christian households...] Just my opinion. Blessings, Rainboy |
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