AIBU not to understand the “ friends “ for kids hype.

[Whattheactual20201]

A lot of people recently saying how much their young kids ( 6-8) love watching friends. Lots of clothes for children appearing. I don’t understand it I mean I don’t allow mine to watch as I don’t think it’s appropriate and if the kids don’t get the inappropriate bits then what is funny about 6 adults lives if they actually have no idea what the funny bits mean 🤣🤷‍♀️

Sorry I am stressed and can’t sleep so a debate is always helpful haha !

I wouldn't let my 9 year old watch Friends, but I'm not bothered by my 14 year old watching it. Although the nine year old would have zero interest in it anyway.

Someone upthread mentioned Star Wars but the original 1977 Star Wars film has a U classification.

My two oldest (10 and 12) have been harassing me for years about watching it. Lots of their friends have for several years.

I think lots of the themes are completely inappropriate. My 12 year old still doesn't watch it.

And even if you're not worried about sex/cheating/condom/stripper references - Joey drops the 'Santa's not real' bomb to Phoebe in one episode. No way I'd want my 6 or 8 year old seeing that one!

@GlummyMcGlummerson

IIRC there's an episode where Chandler and Joey don't leave their chairs for days they just sit watching porn (is that really a group activity?!). So inappropriate for little ones.

It is possible to choose which episodes you let them see

@Oblomov20

It's totally inappropriate viewing for anyone under 16. 18 even?

You think a 17 year old shouldn't watch a comedy in which there is no nudity or swearing?

Will your kids be on CBeebies until they move out?

*You think a 17 year old shouldn't watch a comedy in which there is no nudity or swearing?

Will your kids be on CBeebies until they move out?*

😂 My thoughts exactly ...

You think a 17 year old shouldn't watch a comedy in which there is no nudity or swearing?

I'm pretty sure the pp said the opposite, and I haven't even read the post.

@IncludeWomenInTheSequel. Indeed. You get the impression that some people on here are so Uber controlling that their kids are gonna get a big shock when they leave home. Either that or they’re mums of 6 year olds projecting forward without a clue what teenagers are actually like.

I'm in my mid 40s and when I was at primary school nearly everyone was watching Dallas and Dynasty, and Allo Allo and Bread on TV. None of which would be considered suitable for children. But I think we came out unaffected to be honest.

I thought about starting the same thread. I wanted a little t-shirt for my 8 year old, I was shocked at how much Friends stuff there was. It just seems strange to dress them in clothes that has no significance to them.

I am surprised at just how much merchandise you can buy now as well.

Isn't it just another example of competitive parenting?

You know like the parents who claim their 4 year olds are so mature it's perfectly fine for them to watch 12 films. And that their 7 year old has read the entire Harry Potter series.

Either that or their parents have forgot about the constant sex references and outdated viewpoints and just remember it nostalgically as a comedy show.

While I don't understand the appeal for younger children, Friends first came out when I was about 10 or 11 and I loved it. It was the life I dreamed of living when I grew up, the kind of friendships I wished I had, and the kind of unsophisticated humour that appealed at that age. I was obsessed!

It's nostalgic parents seeing stuff through rose tinted glasses and kids copying their parents.

Like HP... Which was books for older primary/young secondary. Now it's a race to read them with 4/5 year olds, and they don't fully understand them. And think it's babyish by the time they can appreciate them.

Baby clothes are different in a way, becaue babies have no input in their clothes.

Yeah I wondered that .
My dd9 does love Everybody loves Raymond though but then, who doesn’t ?

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

It's nostalgic parents seeing stuff through rose tinted glasses and kids copying their parents.

Like HP... Which was books for older primary/young secondary. Now it's a race to read them with 4/5 year olds, and they don't fully understand them. And think it's babyish by the time they can appreciate them.

Baby clothes are different in a way, becaue babies have no input in their clothes.

Most kids grew up watching the films first though which is why they love it . Dd is now starting to read the books herself.

13 year old DS does love it but I have sat through it and got him to call out all the huge amount of sexism. He really enjoys watching with me

[quote Holyrivolli]@IncludeWomenInTheSequel. Indeed. You get the impression that some people on here are so Uber controlling that their kids are gonna get a big shock when they leave home. Either that or they’re mums of 6 year olds projecting forward without a clue what teenagers are actually like.[/quote]
Yeah you just made all of that up 🤷🏻‍♀️

My 12 (almost 13yo) loves it but I wouldn’t let my 9 year olds watch it. It’s rude with adult themes. I guess a lot would go over their heads so maybe depends on the child but I don’t think they’d get the comedy. For dd 1 it’s been useful as she identifies with quirky Phoebe but recognises me as Monica and gets that I like things ordered. She’s unimpressed with men though

Oh and The Goldbergs is fine for kids , it’s family viewing and not the same as Friends at all , it’s up there with The Middle .

@Oblomov20

It's totally inappropriate viewing for anyone under 16. 18 even?

I just looked it up, friends is rated pg-13, which sounds about right. An 18 would be something with explicit sex or extreme violence, not occasionally crude and a bit dated.

My daughter watched the first Friends episode when she was 11 and she didn’t get lots of the jokes - and realised she didn’t get it. I had forgotten how sexual it is. She didn’t watch any more. But she does have a “Friends” T-shirt she likes. There’s also a lot of “Stranger Things” merch for kids that would be too young to watch it - my dd would be terrified of it

@MargotLovedTom1

I am particularly entertained by youngsters wearing tiny Ramones and AC/DC t-shirts. Obviously they are massive fans at the age of seven, and it's not that their parents think it's somehow edgy to dress them like that .

When DD was little I used to go to a toddler group where there was a little boy whose entire wardrobe seemed to consist of rock T-shirts, things like Nivarna, The Ramones and Sid Vicious. It was a traditional, church toddler group run by older ladies and they used to look a bit at this boy’s attire. It just made me eye roll, yeah look at your kid, he’s sooo cool with his grown up taste in music while the rest of us are stuck with uncool kids in Peppa Pigs T-shirts.

Some people just want their kids to grow up too quickly and have no idea of what's appropriate.

I'm 40 and have never found friends remotely funny, it must be one if the worst shows along with miranda.

But there is hype about it in my sons year, he is yet 7, he wouldnt watch as he isnt interested but the jokes are so old and outdated now, absolute snorefest.

My 11 year old ds said, "look at that cool Ram-on-ees t shirt! I love them"
He meant the Ramones, he doesn't have a clue who they are!!

My nine year old loves friends. So does my 11 year old. I can’t get worked up about it. I adored friends growing up. Yes it’s dated in parts and some of the jokes are not particularly appropriate now but that just sparked discussion in our house about how attitudes, opinions and values change over time.