<p>Movie violence can be very intense for some kids at various ages. I agree with those who feel this is an inappropriate use of funds.<br>
What will they gain from it that reading the books wouldn’t give them, and why can’t those who wish to see it do so on their own time? And it really puts parents in a difficult position, too, not just the kids. But if I had reservations, I’d find an excuse to keep my kid home.</p>
<p>I remember my Dd saw a movie depicting child birth in living color in her health class, and it really disturbed her.</p>
<p>Come to think of it, what social value does ANY film (or television, for that matter) have for middle school kids (or younger/older kids, adults)?</p>
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<p>Why not just READ about going for a walk in the woods? All people learn in different ways, some learn better through their visual senses than through the written word…</p>
<p>There were several occasions when I told my kids that if they wanted me to say “My parents won’t let me do this,” I would back them up, even though I actually would have allowed them to do whatever it was. </p>
<p>Sometimes, a kid who is uncomfortable about doing something needs parental refusal of permission as a socially acceptable excuse not to do it.</p>
<p>Is this an option you might want to offer your daughter?</p>
<p>Peer pressure / negative peer response will probably not be a concern with this child since she seldom knows nor cares what others think of her, though it was an issue for my older ones when I wouldn’t let them watch certain movies in school. The most troublesome negative and insulting comments to my kids came from the teachers, who were offended that I dared to question their judgment.</p>
<p>I am rather annoyed that the permission slip is an empty formality, since it is due back before the film is released. So it’s not as though I can actually exercise any Parental Guidance by seeing the movie myself first to assess its appropriateness for D.</p>
<p>First let me just say the ratings system (MPAA) is a bunch of BS. It hasn’t been revised any years and has had many issues throughout the past couple years. Gratuitous violence? PG13 rating. Some small sex scene? R! MPAA is having a serious argument with the documentary ‘Bully’ which has been given an R rating to the use of the f-word. This movie seriously needs to be seen my everyone and giving it an R rating will limit its audience. MPAA needs to revised badly. </p>
<p>The Hunger Games hasn’t been reviewed by major publications yet (should happen in the next couple days). It is though advised for ages 12 and up so technically it is appropriate for the age group. The producers discussed with the ratings board before they started shooting so the movie could be filmed without having serious conflicts in post-production about what would need to be cut out to secure a certain waiting. </p>
<p>Can you just not sign the permission slip? I had friends in middle school whose parents wouldn’t let them watch movies that were aired in class. They were given separate assignment to complete and would sit in the library during that time. None of us really did the peer pressure thing. Each parent chooses how to parent their child so you should be able to voice their opinion on the appropriateness of the material. Fake a doctor appointment? Play hooky? Bring this issue up to some higher up?</p>
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<p>As a mass comm major I can disagree so much with this. Don’t kids learn extremely simple lessons (sharing is caring for example) through television? I can name three different television shows that changed the way I look at things and have influenced on what I want to do with my life.</p>
<p>I’ve seen a lot worse things PG13 rating than I have R. Anyone ever seen rent? That’s PG13. But if you’ve ever read perks of being a wallflower, the movie from that book is rated R. The MPAA is inconsistent at best and just plain crazy at worst. Their ratings are all over the place. (if you’ve seen rent/read perks you know what I mean)</p>
<p>Every other parent will permit their child to go, of that I have no doubt. I am almost always the ONLY parent who doesn’t sign every single permission slip that comes home. But is it the right thing to do to let her go? The R-rated Patriot movie the school showed, for example, was not historically accurate. Secondly, the violence in it was not just the violence of war, but the film also showed an obsessive hacking past-the-point-of- death violence of hateful revenge. There was also a sexual allusion having to do with a chasity belt or something. My child was then in 6th grade. Not one other parent had a problem with their 11 year old watching an R movie, so snide remarks were made to my child by school staff. My two normal older children could handle the flack. This younger one has enough problems without me adding more. That’s why I hesitate to keep her home. I don’t lie about my kids being sick when they’re not, so she’d have to stay back at school during the trip. Still, if there’s too much violence and gore in The Hunger Games, then there might be more harm done by letting her watch it than incurring the disdain of the teachers.</p>
<p>I was one of those parents, too. My friends made fun of me at a lunch where I defended my choice not to sign a permission slip for my then-6th grader to see an R rated movie in a history class. Two days later, two of those friends called to tell me that I was right and that their children had been upset by the movie.
You have to do what is right for your child. I would send a note back saying that you don’t think this is an appropriate choice for your student.</p>
<p>You certainly know her best, but best case scenario would be that she goes and is not bothered or upset by the movie and gains some confidence from the experience. This might not be the time that happens, but there will likely have to be some risk taking on both of your parts at some point.</p>
<p>I’m not sure tat I agree that the “best case scenario” is that a child learns to not be disturbed by seeing a violent death of someone her age. Do we have to become so numb to violence ? I can’t believe schools are scheduling field trips to such a controversial movie before it is even released. I read the first book because I teach kids who are reading it. I don’t want to read the others or see the movie. Not at all age appropriate for 6th graders IMHO. Why is viewing violence “a risk worth taking?”</p>
<p>Well put Cartera…I was thinking the same thing. That’s a personal decision that we all have to make at some point in our youngsters lives…a tough place to be sometimes.</p>
<p>I read the book, and will admit that there are some rather dark elements at work here, but I do believe that most 12-14 year olds have seen and heard similar things on mainstream TV, so while we are at it, maybe we should curtail kids’ tv time. Don’t even get me started on video games…they are the worst culprits, in my opinion.</p>
<p>Bottom line, I think the author did a great job of creating a high interest book, an easy read for early teens, which is a feat in itself. Lots of mindless drivel out there for that age group in particular, so when I hear tweens chatting animatedly about this series, I think the author may have struck a chord with these kids. The book promotes the ideals of family loyalty, courage, sacrificing for those we love…all good things. My son read these books in the sixth and seventh grades, and I would have let him see the movie as part of a class fieldtrip, or as the culmination of a unit in which this book was read. Seeing a movie in lieu of reading the book…thumbs down on that idea.</p>
<p>You completely missed my point. She doesn’t need to get comfortable seeing the death of someone her age. That is not what she’s witnessing. She is witnessing the dramatic portrayal of it, and it is normal to learn to internalize the difference. If she’s not ready or can’t do that, then she shouldn’t go.</p>
<p>Catera, you are right…There is a difference. I’m still surprised that schools would schedule a field trip to see a movie that hasn’t been released.</p>
<p>I don’t agree with it either. I have said that I don’t think any movie is a good choice for a field trip. In this situation, there has to be a decision as to the lesser of the evils. She sees the movie and may have to close her eyes and repeat, “It’s only a movie. It’s only a movie” or takes the chance of feeling somewhat ostracized by teachers and classmates and feeling left out of subsequent classes. That shouldn’t be the choice, but it may be.</p>
<p>The three books of the series are blending together in my mind, and so I’m not certain what was in each. But there are definitely numerous mentions of “morphling” addiction and alcohol abuse in these novels too, which could be shown since Haymitch is a main character and is almost always drunk in the book. Potentially the scariest cinematic effects might be those attacking mutated creatures with the eyes of the deceased children. My guess is they might freak kids out more than the human violence.</p>
<p>Are you sure you’re the only parents who will object? Sometimes, parents cave because they don’t want their child to be singled out. Call a couple of parents you think MIGHT want to object. Say you’re trying to decide what to do and want to know what they plan to do. </p>
<p>Getting just one other family to agree with you may help you. A long time ago, my D became good friends with another girl because her parents ALSO refused to sign the permission slip to see a certain R movie in 7th grade. So, two of them got left behind. It made it a heck of a lot easier on both of them! They bonded. Of course, they complained about their “crazy” “overly strict” parents, but they didn’t feel so isolated.</p>
<p>So, make a few calls. Leave things open…you’re just not sure. You may find that there are other parents who aren’t thrilled about this plan either. </p>
<p>Personally, I think the teachers are exercising very poor judgment.</p>
<p>I don’t think there’s any mention of “morphling” addiction in the first book. Alcoholism, yes. Haymitch is definitely an alcoholic, and the reasons for this are not explained until later in the series. </p>
<p>But considering the dismally depressing nature of the books kids have to read in school nowadays, the concepts of alcoholism and drug addiction will hardly be news to them.</p>
All people learn in different ways, some learn better through their visual senses than through the written word…</p>