what do you think about letting a 8yo and a 7yo watch a 15 cert film?

[bunnyhunny]

we were over our family's over the holidays, and their children were allowed to watch a 15 certificate film which had gory violence and sex scenes in.

I was a bit that the parents didnt bat an eyelid, but I am beginning to think I may be a bit prudish about these things! I felt very odd sitting in the same room as a 8yr old and 7yo watching a lady writhing about with her boobs barely concealed, and men being slaughtered...

When did you let your kids watch these sorts of films?

[bunnyhunny]

I thought it was fab too. Love the painted on six packs!

But its not the same watching it with a 8yr old boy sitting on the settee. He kept asking what team they were in

[lilolilmanchester]

Sorry, lost track of this thread.... My 14 year old had 300 on his Christmas list and I wouldn't buy it for him. Bunnyhunny, would say you were being responsible, not prudish. One of the things I've found harder as the children have got older is other parents' varying attitudes to things like film censorship, alcohol, sex etc. Very difficult. Makes me yearn for the teething and weaning problems!

[SpottyHamster]

No way would I let a 7/8 yo watch a 15. The attitude of some parents amazes me on this one. I am not uber-strict, I would let my 14yo watch a 15 if I thort it was suitable, and 11.5 yo is allowed to watch 12s. We went to see Casino Royale and there were loads of 7yos there for a party, it was a 12A but IMO it was in no wasn't suitable for this age group. OTOH ds had a Dr Who DVD for Christmas which was rated 12. So parents havew to use sensible judgement really. The same as TV progs, anything goes after 9pm but my DSs are still up at this time. They want to know if they can watch Torchwood for eg, but the last series was full of sex & violence, OK for 14 yo maybe... With TV progs you can't watch them first yourself of course.

[AMumInScotland]

I've always worked on the principle that I might let DS (now 14) watch the next category up from his current age, but no further than that - eg we did watch the dvd of 300, but he hasn't yet seen an 18.

Equally, back when he was say 8, we might have let him see a 12 but not a 15.

That was on the basis that a 15 has been certificated 15 because its too strong to make a 12 - so it becomes suitable somewhere between 12 and 15 IYSWIM.

We also let him see some earlier 15s which were made before they brought in the 12 rating, with the same reasoning - they were between "suitable for PG" and "not suitable till 18".