AIBU to let my son skip this at school?

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My DS is 10 and has been doing WW2 at school. Tomorrow the class are watching "boy in the striped pyjamas". We had to sign a consent slip last week and were happy to do so. Tonight he has been in tears saying he doesn't want to see it.

My DP has made some good points about how important a film it is but I hate to think of him so upset. AIBU to tell his teacher that he can sit it out?

Why doesn't he want to see it?

I think it's important for everyone to see, to understand, to make sure it never happens again.

But 10 feels really young.

10 is too young for that film surely.

agree that 10 is too young. School is at fault for putting this age inappropriate material on the syllabus

I teach Year 6, and I teach WWII. We never teach about he holocaust... it's not necessary to know about it at such a young age

Quick google confirms it's a 12/PG13. Age inappropriate for the class.

I wouldn't have let my child watch it at 10. Tjey are 12 now and watched it

In year 7. They were still quite bothered by it though

The boy in the striped pyjamas is a shit story, completely implausible and very patronising in its attitudes towards the victims: don't see why it would be an essential part of understanding about the Holocaust at all. Even if your ds were of an age where learning about the Holocaust was appropriate.

If he doesn't want to watch it then I wouldn't make him, I'd leave the decision with him. 10 is still so young for something so emotive.

He won't say why he doesn't want to see it. I suspect he's worried he might cry in class. He has seen some 12 films - Marvel mostly so I'm not rigid in terms of never letting him watch older films but I always check out why it's a 12. Interesting that most people think he is too young.

My daughter watched this at school in year 7 I think. I was really cross. She came out of school in tears. I think history can be taught factually without invoking emotion like this. It's too much at that age

Mine younger ones saw it long before they left primary. They went to imperial war museum Holocaust exhibition at quite a young age too. I think you're being precious not to allow it and agree it's one of those essential films/books that helps quite young children understand. I can't see why you wouldn't let him take part in usual class activities.

I watched it with my 12 year old and we sat in stunned silence at the ending. Recently her class were studying it in drama; she started crying at the mere thought of it and had to be excused. 10 is too young , I fear.

I watched it with my 12 year old and we sat in stunned silence at the ending. Recently her class were studying it in drama; she started crying at the mere thought of it and had to be excused. 10 is too young , I fear.

I'm fine with him watching it bit can't see how respecting his wishes not to watch a film that he clearly has concerns about is precious

I thought the book was brilliant and was all for DD watching the film (having not seen it). DD had never cried at a film before, and this left her in a sodden heap.

There are (considerably) better films than this one about WW2.

Def let him sit this one out!

Crumbs there is nothing essential about a 10 year old knowing about the Holocaust. The curriculum for WWII in primary school has always focused on life of children on the home front. It's totally inappropriate learning

He can learn about it later when he feels ready. I think its important to support him.

The book was on DD's primary school reading list. It said on the cover that it's about a 9 yo but it is not for 9 year olds ... she was in yr 6, I thought she was too young for it. (And having read it myself, I don't think its a good book). Amazon seems to classify it as 'young adults'.

YANBU. Tell the school you've thought about it and think its better left till they're teenagers.

Let him skip it.

One can understand how horrible the holocaust was without seeing emotional films about it.

The boy in the striped pyjamas is a shit story, completely implausible and very patronising in its attitudes towards the victims: don't see why it would be an essential part of understanding about the Holocaust at all. Even if your ds were of an age where learning about the Holocaust was appropriate.

This ^^. Thanks corythatwas I thought I'd be the only one
I absolutely hated that book

No - that is not a good film at that age.

As others have said, it has an emotional impact.

It also gives a very poor picture of the situation, there were very few children living like that. Most were killed.

Finally, there is the presentation of the Nazi family with the mother unhappy with the fathers role and the then death of their son in the gas chamber. It kind of hints at an overall innocence of those involved for only following orders and that undermines much of the moral tale of the film. IMHO.

I've listened to most of the story. I do not want to read the book or watch the film. I see no reason why that particular film is vital for anyone to watch, let alone a 10yo. There are plenty of other real sources of information we can use to educate ourselves and our children without turning to fiction.

I studied the holocaust at school at 10, via the diary of Anne Frank. This was a very long time ago, so possibly outside of the national curriculum (?) It was upsetting, yes - but it's an upsetting horrifying subject. There were children aged ten - and far younger - who were sent to the ghettos, the camps, repatriated, murdered...I know most people won't agree but I think it's important for children to learn about it and to empathise with what happened to children then. And I think TBITSP is a good way in for children.