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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think 11/12 year olds are too young to see "Ted" ?

197 replies

mrsobriain · 07/08/2012 22:02

My dd has been invited to a party where they are planning to go to see 'Ted' - this is a 15 and I think they are too young.

OP posts:
NoWayNoHow · 08/08/2012 00:39

It means that I am struggling to see how any adult, with or without children, can advocate a film about a drug smoking, parsnip-penis fucking, swearing, oral-sex simulating bear as appropriate material for 11 year old girls

Just because a child of that age knows the mechanics of sex doesn't mean you send them out into Soho on a Saturday night to a bondage club, or sit them down on a weekend in front of a porno with some popcorn.

Krumbum · 08/08/2012 00:47

Oh ok. If its degrading then no I don't think kids should see it but if it's like American pie then it's just a bit of fun.
Watching porn is OBVIOUSLY not the same as few gags nowaynohow!
All the things you've said sound just silly and not something a kid of that age wouldn't know about anyway. Most girls read women's mags like Cosmo or glamour, just as much rudeness in those.

NoWayNoHow · 08/08/2012 00:54

Krum watch the film before you comment. It's not "just a few gags". It's extremely visual sexual content.

Krumbum · 08/08/2012 00:55

Ok fair enough. Just can't imagine it's that explicit if it's only rated a 15.

NoWayNoHow · 08/08/2012 00:59

I'm genuinely absolutely gob-smacked on your views.

Quite honestly, never heard anything like it. You do realise that films have ratings for a reason? And that this film was rated 18 in the States? It's for adults. It's NOT for pre-teen children.

Krumbum · 08/08/2012 01:01

Why is it a 15 here then?
The US rating standards are renound in being prudish about sex but lot violence. It's the wrong way round. So it got an nc-17. That can be the different between one extra swear or a view of some boobs.

RubyFakeNails · 08/08/2012 01:03

It's probably more pushing the boundaries of 13/14 than 11/12.

We don't do ratings, so I'm not exactly prudish but if I was going to show this a a party I'd make sure the kids were around 13/14 rather than 11. Especially as you have 11 just finished year 6 and 11 about to go into year 8. Big difference.

MaryHansack · 08/08/2012 01:22

anyway, it is odd of the parents to think of showing a 15 movie to a party of 11 year olds. With our own kids, we can judge whether it is OK to show according to our own mores and values. In a party situation, the parents should choose a U cert film, not even PG.

RubyFakeNails · 08/08/2012 01:33

A U certificate of a bunch of 11 year olds? Surely you're being sarcastic.

RubyFakeNails · 08/08/2012 01:33

*For not of.

MaryHansack · 08/08/2012 01:34

no ruby, if I had to choose a film for a party of kids where I do not know the parents well, I would go for the safe option rather than risk some irate mummy or daddy taking offence at my choice. Although I know what u mean.

MaryHansack · 08/08/2012 01:35

OK then, PG..Grin

RubyFakeNails · 08/08/2012 02:03

You'd think after bringing up 4 children I would have realised this was an issue. Only on mn Grin

Sunnydelight · 08/08/2012 04:41

19yo DS1 spat his drink when I asked him if it was suitable for his 13yo brother. I took that as a no!

jimswifeinTokyo1964 · 08/08/2012 08:45

Its very scary just how many parents ignore ratings, on films and games Sad

As an aside, I heard there was a child-appropriate version of Paul made. Surely not? Not sure how it would even be possible for that storyline?

Mrsjay · 08/08/2012 09:35

Oh dear god veg sex Shocki dont think i will go with my daughter to see it she can go with her friends

ddubsgirl · 08/08/2012 10:04

the veg sex you dont see anything ted just says it to his boss,very funny film.

turningvioletviolet · 08/08/2012 10:07

We had exactly the same issue only a couple of weeks ago. Dd(11) invited to a friends party and it turns out they were going to see 5 yr engagement which is a 15. Have to say i did put my foot down amidst accusations from dd that i was ruining birthday child's party and all other girls were allowed to go. Eventually spoke to child's mum who was eternally grateful that i was a 'prude' Hmmand thanked me and took them to see Men in Black instead.
Actually I am not a prude but did not want my 11 year old to see a 15 cert (there for a reason imo) and i am failrly sure that all the other girls had probably failed to tell their parents what they were intending to see and what certificate it was.

As it happens DD and i are in the midst of a summer Glee fest (on E4)- which addresses some fairly adult type topics - but we sit together and discuss the issues (whilst having a sing a long) so we're far from shying away from issues but it's a definite no to 15s (does that make me something of a hypocrite? I'm not sure)

NotQuitePerfect · 08/08/2012 10:09

YANBU. We saw it on Saturday with our 17-year old. Absolutely hilarious, totally non-pc, and definitely an adult film - surprised it was passed as a 15, actually.

fuzzpig · 08/08/2012 10:16

Why would a parent actually plan on taking a bunch of 12 year olds to a 15? Confused

Surely regardless of any lax feelings about the movie or its rating they would know they wouldn't get in so it'd be pointless promising them. Different if it were a home party with a rented DVD.

I assume the parents just didn't know the rating of the movie.

Mrsjay · 08/08/2012 10:20

fuzz we are assuming the parents think it is a funny tweeny film about a teddy bear Hmm

MrsKeithRichards · 08/08/2012 10:24

I have no kids that age yet but wouldn't allow this. But I wouldn't want to be the kill joy parent. I wouldn't say anything but phone the cinema and let them know there's a young group going to try and he in and remind them to ask for id!

fuzzpig · 08/08/2012 10:25

Have to admit the bear itself is quite cute in the photos.

I wonder if they would also think Team America: World Police was as innocent as thunderbirds...

Mrsjay · 08/08/2012 10:30

Why wouldnt you want to be a killjoy parent mrs I have no issues about being a killjoy just ask my kids Grin and yes fuzz he does look cute in the trailer

QuanticoVirginia · 08/08/2012 10:43

MrsKeith Shock That's really quite unhand and nasty just to try and make yourself look popular with your children. You would enjoy a group of 12 year olds being publicly embarrassed and humiliated???

I would be much more inclined to speak to the parents and point out the rating as I'm sure they don't realise what it is!! If you just glance at the poster you would just assume it was about a cuddly teddy bear............