Opinions on shows being "innapropriate" for kids

I saw a six year old at American Idiot and it puzzled me. Of course parents can make their own decisions and what their children should be exposed to at a certain age and i have no problem with that. So i have no problem with young children seeing shows like AI or Spring Awakening or Hair, i always wonder what they think about them. What are your experiences or opinions on this topic?

The six year old was probably bored to tears -- it's doubtful he understood much of it. The kids I "worry" about are the kids that are ALMOST ready for "questionable" material.

My kids know Green Day music, and like rockin' out to it, but they don't really understand it. They'd be miserable at the show.

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it seems like American Idiot should keep young childrens attention, there is so much going on it seems hard to be bored to tears unless you tried.

Updated On: 9/9/10 at 06:39 PM

"If they can sit down, be still, and keep their mouths shut, let them see what ever show they want."

YES. YES. YES. YES.

I was just talking about this with a friend last week. We were talking about full-frontal nudity in movies (don’t ask…lol) and then I said how there’s full-frontal on stage in plays too, which he couldn’t believe. At the movies, they’re supposed to make sure kids under 17 aren’t going in R rated movies without an adult (I know people can just sneak in and stuff…), but at the theater they don’t check any IDs or anything. I know they say “No kids under 4” and they have recommendations for ages, but they don’t refuse to let anyone in.

How awkward would it be seeing a kid at In the Next Room or something like that? I saw a girl no more than 12 years old sitting in the front row at Spring Awakening with her family, LOL. Yikes.

IMO, it’s up to the parents/guardians/teachers/person taking the kid to make a good decision on what show to take the kid to. It’s their responsibility to research online to get an idea of what the content is like. Then they can decide. I don't want plays to be required to have a rating like movies and be strict about who to let in.

I strongly believe that children should be allowed to remain children as long as possible. My 5 yr old granddaughter is becoming a savvy theatre-goer. I've taken her to IMAGINOCEAN, GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW and local productions of THE MUSIC MAN and HELLO, DOLLY! She behaves nicely and enjoys the shows.

However, I saw youngsters at PROMISES, PROMISES and felt uncomfortable. Basically it's a harmless show but it deals with marital infidelity and an attempted suicide. I wouldn't want my little angel exposed to that--yet. There'll be plenty of exposure to profanity and adult issues as she grows up but right now it's time for all of us to cherish her innocence.

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Updated On: 9/10/10 at 11:49 AM

^ I wouldn't. I'm 16 years old and my parents are wary about me seeing it.

Green Day's music and lyrics are rather explicit and the subject matter may a bit R-rated.

...but then again, different strokes for different folks.

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I worked at a theater that had two venues, one for musicals and one for plays. The play was American Daughter, and the musical Grease. An grandmother came to complain how the play mentioned and described a penis. I asked are you here this evening with your granddaughter to see Grease, she replied yes. I ask you find nothing inappropriate about bringing your 9 year old granddaughter to a musical that promotes premarital sex, teenage drinking and peer pressure. She shut up.

Some of few should visit an elementary school and listen to their little conversations. Trust me, you would be amazed at what they already know, even by kindergarten. They know far more than I did at that age, I'm not saying this is a good thing, or how things should be, but i suspect they get far more than a lot of us think they get.

Most Americans are so ridiculous with antiquated Victorian views on sex, nudity, etc. Some kids may have issues with these because THEIR PARENTS have instilled those anachronistic ideas in them. In Europe, this question isn't asked......it's the old "bury your head in the sand and it'll go away" American way of doing things and thinking of things.

I suppose I'd only have problems with kids seeing something like the Lt. of Inishmore, purely for the blood and gore....but I doubt any parent would take on to that. And that would only be because it may be hard for a child to realize that it isn't real.

Small-minded people make things inappropriate.....

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Updated On: 9/11/10 at 01:23 PM

http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2010/09/chorus-line-ok-kids-lion-king.html

I saw Chicago when I was 13. I grew up rather sheltered and my mom was reeeeeeeeally nervous about me seeing it. She told me it'd be R rated of not worse. We were SUPPOSED to see Thoroughly Modern Millie but tickets were about 5 million dollars, and it was for my sisters birthday and I knew how much she loved Fosse, so I recommended Chicago, which made my sister and dad super excited. I sat next to my mom during the show, and I'm pretty sure she and I enjoyed it more than my dad and sister. We were all singing "he had it comin'" for the rest of the trip!!

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"Small-minded people make things inappropriate....."

Exactly. Exactly. @Elphaba, I love what you wrote.