Welcome, Anthony Rapp! (part two) — Page 147

Okay, I wasn't at the signing, but I can comment on this. It is my opinion that, in recent years, parents have been kind of slack about monitoring what their children read/watch/listen to. I mean, I don't believe in censorship by any means, but I do believe that there are some things that are only appropriate for certain ages, and parents should be more aware of the entertainment they allow their younger children to experience.

That being said, it is my thought that these parents probably aren't aware of the adult themes featured in the book, or they are just really open-minded (almost to a fault, I'd say) about what their kids read. *shrug*

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As an adult who was there, Mauri, I was shocked as well. The number of parents who don't ask questions about what their children are interested in never ceases to amaze me. These are the same parents who then turn around and get angry at writers/musicians/actors etc. for creating the work. If you ask me parents of kids in the generation behind me seem to have dropped the ball a bit when it comes to accountability.
I'm editing this to basically say that I completely agree with you, Second Star. Parents need to open up their eyes a bit and see that if they're upset about what their children are seeing/hearing/reading they have no one to blame but themselves.

Updated On: 2/9/06 at 11:47 AM

I have to toss in my two cents on this.

I think this is a far cry from stuff that needs to be "censored" because it can be a huge learning and self-reflection experience. Censorship, to me, has such a negative connotation -- stuff that's taboo, or can have a bad influence needs to be censored. I don't think this is really something that can be lumped in with the slacker generation of parents who let their kids play video games that teach you how to steal cars and shoot people, or listen to rap music about raping someone. It may go over a younger fan's head, but it's not something that's going to change them for the worse.

I'm not sure how I feel about the appropriateness of Without You, in terms of ages, other than that it, to me, depends entirely on the maturity of the kid, case by case. I can understand parents not wanting their children exposed to some of the more "risque" themes of the book, though. I know my mother wouldn't have wanted me to read it at age 11 or 12 or 13. Maybe these parents aren't aware. Maybe they are and have open minds. Maybe they trust their kids. Maybe they want to use this as a way to talk to their kids about things. I guess it's also a possibility that they'll sort of share the reading experience, as not to let a child dive into that alone, but that the book signing was simply an opportunity to meet Anthony, even if these kids aren't "allowed" to be exposed to certain themes.

I think the parents need to be informed, yeah, but I don't think -- if the kid can handle it -- everyone should be kept away from the book only by virtue of age. Specifically, of course, it's not any of our place to say.

On the awkward -- yet interesting -- flip-side, I'm reluctant to let my mom read it, for the sake of judgements I think she'll pass, on a lot of fronts.

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Updated On: 2/9/06 at 11:51 AM

You bring up several good points, Em, and looking back at my post, I see that I came across as though I was lumping Without You in with the violent and obscene media that children are also being exposed to. That was certainly not my intention.

If Without You can be used as a way to build communication between parents and their children about certain issues (and I believe it definitely can), then I absolutely believe it should be read by these kids. Certainly, some kids are more mature than others, and I don't think the book should be restricted from them. My only intention was to point out that parents should make efforts to be more informed about what their children are being exposed to.

...I hope I worded it better this time.

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If Without You can be used as a way to build communication between parents and their children about certain issues (and I believe it definitely can)

I totally agree, after experiencing the immediate effects. And those are why I WANT my mom to read it. We'll see. She's curious, at least.

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I hope your mom reads it, Em. I already told my mom that she has to. Hehe.

Just let me add that I ABSOLUTELY believe that the overall themes of both Rent and Without You FAR outweigh any of the minor themes and situations featured in them.

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hahaha.. I'd love to see that one.

I think, personally, what I took most from it has to do with the working, living, breathing relationship between mother and child. My mom and I don't often get along perfectly, but this brought a lot to front for me, about relating with my mom, etc.

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It did that for me, too, Em. I am currently in my first year of college, and I've been so caught up in everything lately that the line of communication between myself and my mother has been greatly reduced. Reading this book prompted me to just call her out of the blue to tell her how much I miss her, and she was so happy to hear it, I felt bad for not doing it sooner.

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Hi and welcome, jk! *waves* Love the avatar.

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Updated On: 2/9/06 at 12:29 PM

Hello, justkidding. Welcome out of lurkdom! I just recently made the jump myself.

Welcome all who are new!!!!

I didn't realize that the book, had those things in it, I can't wait to read it!