I can tell you to start off that there is no black and white answer to this question. And I sure don't have the answer. When a youth starts out a sentence with "have you seen..." I brace myself. They want to tell me about their favorite part of "you name the R-rated movie." And often times I try to creatively change the subject.
The reality is that parents of all shapes and sizes differ on this. There are a number factors at play.
1. Peers- if a youth's peers have seen an R rated movie and they haven't...they feel out of the loop. So they want to see such and such movie so they can feel more a part. I get that because I have been there!
2. Youth think they are mature enough. They feel like they have reached a growth level to which they can "handle" the language, sexual content, and violence.
3. They will watch R rated movies anyway.
4. How much damage can two hours really do?
Given these realities it is easy to to give in and say open the door to movies with endless, inappropriate content. How much damage could it really do? They will eventually be old enough anyways.
There is a scripture 1 Corinthians 10:23 says," 'All things are lawful,' But not all things are beneficial. 'All things are lawful," but not all things build up.' " As I have grown older I realize that we have created an imaginary line of adulthood and childhood. For me I can legally watch any movie I want. But I know that they are not all beneficial.
To me it is all about being informed. Because one can't completely shut off your youth from the world of violence, language, and sexual content. Even in popular sitcoms there is a slew of sexual content and language that is often times slyly inserted.
Communicating and researching the context of any movie is a smart plan and being able to tell your youth why it isn't appropriate whether they like it or not. (and I need to ask myself the SAME questions... is this movie appropriate for me?) Is their anything beneficial in Saw 4?
Telling a youth "no" I realize is not a popular decision but to me it is what makes parents heroes. I remember in my tenth grade year of High School I was invited to a party at friend's house. This was my first high school party. I knew there would be drinking and I planned to drink. My mom (a high school teacher) had insider knowledge about this party and they told me I couldn't go (while some parents... just told their kids yes). I was angry at my parents for standing in the way. Now as I look back on that experience I am grateful. They stood in the way of a negative experience.
Sometimes youth won't understand now the importance of hearing "no" but I know they will some day.
Like I said this is not a black and white issue. And I am not a parent! But I have spent quite a lot of time around a variety of youth.
Would you be willing to reply to this post and tell us the rules in your house? I think the wisdom of parents can be incredibly helpful!
Click for an article from both teens and parents.
Click here for an article on one Christian's view on R Rated movies
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