Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let DD watch these programmes for school work.

165 replies

Whatswiththesmalltalk · 04/01/2023 16:04

Dd is 13 and is studying dystopian literature in English so I understand the connection but her teacher has asked the class to watch the handmaids tale, children of men and V for vendetta. I have only watched the handmaids tale myself but having looked online I really don't think they're all that appropriate for a 13 year old at all. AIBU would you let your 13 year old watch these?

OP posts:
Roundabout78 · 04/01/2023 16:05

Yes I would. She’s 13 not 3.

lailamaria · 04/01/2023 16:06

it's education of course i would

Nimbostratus100 · 04/01/2023 16:07

YANBU These are very borderline, and you know your child best. I had nightmares for years over a film we ere forced to watch for O level. Children should not be put in this position by the education system

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 04/01/2023 16:07

I would let her but watch them with her so you can discuss them and also let her know it can be turned off if she feels uncomfortable at all

Aquamarine1029 · 04/01/2023 16:09

I would absolutely allow a 13 year old to watch those. She's not a baby.

peachgreen · 04/01/2023 16:10

No I wouldn’t let a 13 y/o watch Handmaid’s Tale tbh. The other two I’d probably be okay with.

Original poster
Whatswiththesmalltalk · 04/01/2023 16:10

Im usually quite laid back about these sorts of things to be honest which is why I asked. Some of the rape scenes and scenes including FGM and other punishments like hanging in the handmaids tale were quite uncomfortable for me to watch as an adult, I'm not sure she would sit through it. Might be best as you say to watch it together and turn it off if it's too much for her.

OP posts:
justmewithmylifetoday · 04/01/2023 16:10

I wouldn't. I think parents should be able to judge their own DC. What rating are they? Surely handmaid's tale is a 15?

lap90 · 04/01/2023 16:11

I too have only watched The Handmaid's Tale. Out of curiosity, looked up the age rating and first season is rated 18 so don't think you are being all that unreasonable and as an adult myself have found some scenes a hard watch.
Maybe watch some clips together?

pointythings · 04/01/2023 16:11

Handmaid's Tale I would say probably not. The other two are fine for age 13.

Original poster
Whatswiththesmalltalk · 04/01/2023 16:12

Thanks peachgreen, I've not seen the others so I'll maybe watch them with her.

OP posts:
latetothefisting · 04/01/2023 16:13

Pretty sure all those 3 are rated 15 so it seems a bit odd for the school to recommend them to pupils who wouldn't legally be able to watch them in the cinema/by them on dvd!

For me it would depend on your child, you know them best and how much things will affect them. Handmaids tale particularly can vary from episode to episode - some are really dark.

Would something like the hunger games be more appropriate?

keepaweatheredeye · 04/01/2023 16:13

There are other versions of the Handmaids tale - film versions, that are perfectly suitable and match the book.

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 04/01/2023 16:14

Has she already read the book?

Woodenheart33 · 04/01/2023 16:14

All those things are totally fine for a 13vyear old. If you are concerned watch with her and discuss them with her after.

Original poster
Whatswiththesmalltalk · 04/01/2023 16:14

Iap90 That's a good idea, there are definitely episodes that would be more suitable than others.

OP posts:
justmewithmylifetoday · 04/01/2023 16:14

@Whatswiththesmalltalk if it's of any help IMDB has a parents guide which is helpful. If you Google it alongside the name of the film you should come across it. All 3 listed above are rated 15.

itsgettingweird · 04/01/2023 16:14

keepaweatheredeye · 04/01/2023 16:13

There are other versions of the Handmaids tale - film versions, that are perfectly suitable and match the book.

This.

I'd email teacher and ask for clarification of what exactly they are asking them to watch.

It's very good from a discussion and education POV but yes - some scenes are too much even to open conversation.

Whatsshecalled · 04/01/2023 16:15

I would NOT be happy about my 13yr old (yr 8) watching the rape scenes in handmaids tale and the general level of violence altogether needs an adult level of maturity to understand and contextualise. In not familiar with the other two, but that one would be a 'no' from me.

ILoveeCakes · 04/01/2023 16:15

We watched Schindlers List in Year 8 at the end of term. In German class, not history class. As the film was in English, there was no language lessons in it, so I guess we were shown it purely for entertainment

LastTrainBeforeChristmas · 04/01/2023 16:15

No I wouldn’t let my 13 year old watch The Handmaid’s Tale. I’d need to rewatch Children of Men to make a judgement on that, and I’d want to watch V for Vendetta as I haven’t seen it. Those are both 15s so I don’t think a teacher asking 13 year olds to watch them is a great idea to be honest. Books with that sort of content are very different to films and tv.

There are more age appropriate things they could suggest they watch. Hunger Games is dystopian fiction and is at least a 12A.

RoseslnTheHospital · 04/01/2023 16:15

I wonder why they aren't being asked to read these rather than watch the TV show or film versions?

Also, there's 50 plus episodes of the Handmaids Tale! Which ones should they be watching?

Both Children of Men and V for Vendetta are 15 rated, not 12A. I think it's not reasonable to ask parents to approve their children watching these films. I don't know what rating each individual episode of The Handmaids Tale is, but I'd think they were likely to also be 15 or higher. The rape themes in particular are disturbing and could be problematic for a 13 year old girl.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 04/01/2023 16:18

My children are adult now but I'd have been a bit put out to be asked to have to take out a Netflix or similar subscription so they could watch Children of Men and V for Vendetta. I assume A Handmaid's Tale is on All4, so free. What about families that can't afford Netflix or similar? Does the school library have any resources they can draw on?

Also, I would have been very unhappy about a teacher directing 13yos to watch things rated 15 and 18. Aren't there any rules about this? What about kids who can get hold of these materials and will watch them alone, with no adult sitting beside them to talk about the adult and distressing content?

FluffyYucca · 04/01/2023 16:19

I would assume that the teacher meant the film version of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is much less graphic than the series?

I think all the films are 15-rated, so guess it depends on your child.

Kfjsjdbd · 04/01/2023 16:21

Was just about to say the same as above, I watched the film version of the Handmaids tale in about year 8/9 at school. There’s a rape scene but other than that it’s fine.