Do you let a 14-year-old watch movies for over 18?

[RomySchneider]

Step-daughter who is 14 is visiting from abroad at the moment and she is apparantly used to watching anything she likes.
DP took her to see Sweeny Todd and she asked to watch Reservoir Dogs, also watched Pulp Fiction.
Am I old-fashioned and wrong in thinking these kind of movies are not for her to watch until she is a bit older? DP says her mum lets her watch them and what's in there that she doesn't know about. Not the point is my opinion.
Would be interested to hear what others do on that subject, thank you!

[janestillhere]

I think it depends on the child - how mature they seem etc.
As a 14 yr old I used to watch stuff like Porkys and other adult humour films at my friends house during holidays. My parents weren't too fazed by that. Then one day we got The Exorcist from the video shop. I didn't sleep for weeks, had nightmares and it REALLY messed my head up psychologically. I would cry every time it came to bedtime and parents were v. worried.
I still can't watch bits of it and I would say NNNOOOOOOOO! to alot of the disturbing stuff there are on films nowadays. (sorry for sounding like a right old biddy!)

[cornsilk]

I think the Exorcist would mess up lots of adults heads also!

[AuntyThesis]

it very much depends on the film and the context. there are some 18 films that are very detailed in their depiction of sex and violence and there are some which have an adult theme

i watched a very interesting programme on the classification of films and in whose interest it is to classify some films in the way they do.

i also think it much depends on the 14 yo - some might be very delicate - some may not.

you should also be aware that "from abroad" means that in another country the classification system may differ.

i would not let my children watch gratuitous sex scenes. and the context of the violence concerns me - often rambo or arnie films are pulp trash - and although there is a high brow argument for the anethetising of children against violence by letting them watch these films - i believe that coupled with good parenting that the value of life and the place of violence is clear.

[RomySchneider]

Abroad is NZ but I don't think that matters as they will have the same classifications.
I'm not going to stop her watch anything, was just interested generelly what others do.
I will certainly not let my own daughter watch over 18 movies at 14, no matter how mature. Also, I think all these movies have matured step-daughter before her time, she seems much older than 14 in many ways and I don't think that is always a good thing.
Janestillhere's experience with the Excorcist is a good example, probably extreme but it shows how things we watch stick with us.

[NickiSue]

I was 14/15 when I watched Porkys and have to say - laughed my head off! I was a very stange marlboro toting - nirvana loving - x-files watching teen! Horrors etc didnt bother me one bit but NOW Im soft as hell and can't look - not even a peek!

[Joash]

TBH - if she was staying in my house, then she would have to abide by our normal rules which include not seeing films for which they are deemed too young - unless vetted first.
When our DC's were young, if they wanted to see a particular film, we would watch it without hem to determine whether it was suitable for them to watch.

[pigleto]

I don't mind ds seeing nudity or "normal" sex but I would not like him to see torture or cruelty at this age.

[branflake81]

Don't see why not.

[mumblechum]

My ds is 13 & allowed to watch upto and including 15s, but not 18s. He wanted to get Saw at the weekend with his mate but I didn't get it.

Ended up getting a 15 and they turned it off as were too scared

[Nikki016]

Hey

Im Nicole im 15 Years old ive been watching 18s since i was about 12 tops.
I love scary films its great to have friends over and watch them.

Nicole x x x x

[Starmummy]

DS 12, has watched the Die Hard movies. I wouldnt let him watch horror movies or movies with more serious violence. He realises quite catagorically that violence is not acceptable and that these films are exactly that and not a representation of real life. I wouldnt let him watch pulp fiction or Rambo.

I feel quite embarrassed now by realising I am the only one who has let their DS watch an 18. Albeit these are the only ones and I have no intention of letting him watching any more.

[seeker]

I stick very strictly to age classifications for my two who are 6 and 12. And any visitor to our house sticks to our rules.

As an aside, I'm not sure I'd believe the "allowed to watch anything" unless it was confirmed by a parent!

[evenhope]

No way did I let any of mine watch 18s before then. (bit of a hypocrite since I went to see Saturday Night Fever at14 )

I was a bit annoyed to find that DS3 (16) has been watching some on the computer.

[AbbeyA]

I wouldn't let a 14 year old watch an 18 film. It is your house so set the rules that you are comfortable with.

[Nicola63]

I also have stepchildren (13 and 14) who seem to be allowed when they are with their mother to watch movies for over their age category. I don't allow it, I must say. I've had a bit of moaning but just ignored it, didn't comment on what their mother does but just said no not here. The difficulty I suppose will come when the older is 15 (next month) and wants to watch a 15 movie and I don't want the younger to see it! I foresee a bit of a struggle there!

I know that when they go to friends they also might watch what they like, but I feel I should set the rules in my house.