To not let DD watch these programmes for school work.

[Whatswiththesmalltalk]

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?

I taught a course on Game of Thrones once but I just used clips. I have read the books but never fancied seeing it visually depicted. As a PP said you can't unsee horrible stuff. It worked fine with clips - and the point was to pique interest in some relevant history, geography, science etc, not to spend teaching time watching telly! It was year 12 though.

I think The Road is probably even more traumatising than Handmaid’s Tale tbh!

Agree. Not appropriate. And the slants presented should be discussed between parents and their children.

There’s a rape scene but other than that it’s fine

That's not okay.

Omg no way would I let a 13 year old watch handmaids tale, it really messed with my head never mind a 13 year olds! It’s my favourite TV programme but absolutely not appropriate for this age!!!

I agree with this.

I love English and I love reading. I did English Lit at A-level.

But honestly, I don't want to watch films, TV shows etc depicting graphic imagery or desperately tragic plots. It's not my thing and I really have to be in the right frame of mind to cope with it. If I had to sit through this stuff to pass my exams, I'd fail.

Books with hard-hitting plots are difficult enough, and a well-written book can leave me in floods of tears (and often do). I don't see why watching TV shows/films is compulsory or why it's part of studying literature.

I think it's pretty awful that a teacher has told 13 yr olds to watch a 15-rated show. Some might be OK, some might understand the nuances but there will definitely be those that are adversely affected, or just don't get the full gist (so being exposed to such adult content is meaningless anyway!)

Disclaimer: I'm autistic/ADHD so possibly struggle more with film content etc than others may do.

I’m 58 and wouldn’t watch Handmaids Tale. I don’t think it should be a requirement for school.

Hand maids tale is savage and as a 40 year old woman I find it a hard watch at times ! Makes me so angry how woman are treated ! I would not be advocating for my 12 or 14 year olds to watch it .

www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-handmaids-tale-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00odg2mtc

I wouldn't be happy about this being mandated by school - it is not easy viewing and everyone is different. I am surprised this is being asked of 13yo young people.

I think I would be asking the teacher about this.

Surely there are more age appropriate dystopian movies to watch other than the handmaids tale, the hunger games, maze runner, minority report, divergent series...

The Handmaids Tale is very powerful but I'm not sure I'd let a 13yo watch it.

I totally disagree. It is teenagers, they are not going to write a mature analysis of this subject. But all the big themes of literature are ones that most teenagers will not have personally experienced.

I would be okay with my 13 year old reading the Handmaid's tale but less okay with them watching the series... if she's studying dystopian literature surely it makes more sense to read the books rather than watch the films?!

I’m pretty chilled out about what my 14 year old watches but there’s no way I would let her watch The Handmaids Tale. I don’t know the other 2 so can’t comment on them, but I think it’s a bizarre request by the school.

I'd let her watch V for Vendetta, it's political rather than horror. Personally I would give her a copy of the book of Handmaid's Tale rather than watch it. I think the telly version seems quite gratuitous from what I've seen.

I wouldn't. I would question a teacher setting this as homework as they are 15 rated (I'm a teacher). I understand some parents let their kids watch stuff which isn't classed as appropriate for their age but that's your decision to make and you know your daughter best. The teacher is advising them to watch inappropriate material. Email the school to make them aware and if you don't want your daughter to watch them, state why.

None of my 11s have killed a king, but they can still write about it! I think your perception just changes with age. You tend to be a bit more black and white as a kid. I was totally team Hamlet at 18; now I'm more team Gertrude. And always, always on Lady M'S side.

The Handmaid's Tale is not for 13 year olds.

The rape scenes when the maid is held down etc?!!

Nope.

Maybe watch it with her and just fast forward through the really grim bits? She'd get the gist.

I'm pretty liberal about these things and watched programmes featuring violence and sex pretty young (maybe 13/14) but I'm surprised school would push watching Handmaid's Tale at that age, tbh. The others wouldn't bother me but I'd say she's a couple of years too young for that to be on the curriculum.

I thought Handmaid's Tale was A level, not Y9. Anyway my dd did watch this aged about 12 as my ds was older and watching it. It's fiction!

You could say that about any horrific work, surely there's age rating for a reason?

I wouldn’t let her watch the handmaids tale. It would be too upsetting for me as an adult. I can’t watch things with sexual violence in it, which I heard it has.

The age rating is 15. You'd be within your rights to say no.

Seriously, why are we using material with such adult content with children. Because 13 year olds are children.
There's no wonder that so many teenagers and young people feel pressure and anxiety when they're being asked to watch the brutalisation and exploitation of women and compare how sex and sexuality are portrayed in two books that feature rape.

There’s rape scenes in it. I don’t think that’s appropriate for a child