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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:
Oher · 04/01/2023 19:50

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.

This. I’d be writing to the teacher to ask why the school has set as homework for 13 year olds to watch movies rated for age 15 and above.

Our school gets very angry with parents who let the kids watch movies that are too old for them (mostly because this affects behaviour on the playground).

AutumnIsMyFavouriteSeason · 04/01/2023 19:50

Mine was asked to read the book at 13-14 which I felt was reasonable as you couldn't SEE the violence and it was only the first bit which was in the original book. She's not bothered watching it after having read it even when older.

greybuolding · 04/01/2023 19:51

Why are they watching films/TV instead of reading in ENGLISH LITERATURE anyway, that's what I want to know!

Saucery · 04/01/2023 19:54

The graphic novel V For Vendetta has far more impact than the film. Some of the art packs a punch that has stayed with me for the 25 years since I read it. You’d get a pale, watered down idea of the dystopian themes by watching the film.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 04/01/2023 19:56

I'd have no problem with her reading Handmaids Tale, but watching it would depend. I'd want to be with her, in case she had questions etc.

However I'd advocate literature ahead of tv and film for studies at this age so wouldn't allow it until after she'd finished the book.

There is "safer" distopiyan options for this age group.

Meggymoo777 · 04/01/2023 20:03

My goodness, I'm really surprised at all the PPs saying that the Handmaids Tale is okay for a 13yr old... I thought it was totally horrific, everything about it haunted me for so long afterwards. (I don't think I'm a softy either, True Crime fanatic so a bit of horror / gore etc doesn't bother me.)

LaughingCat · 04/01/2023 20:26

Ha! Try Lord of the Flies! I’ll never forget Piggy getting murdered by a bunch of kids

I was in a class production of a Handmaid’s Tale at the age of 12 and The Crucible about the Salem Witch Trials (also very raw), at 11. I personally think they’re fine but then, I had a telly in my room from the age of 11 so used to watch late night C4 (back when that was the only cool thing that was on until TV stopped at midnight/1am). Used to keep the sound on low and hurriedly switch it off if I heard my parents stir. What I’m trying to say is, she’s probably watched worse online already.

However, you know your daughter best and if she’s really sensitive then speak out. But I think 13 is old enough to be handling those kinds of topics, tbf.

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2023 20:57

I thought you meant me there!

SaintLoy · 04/01/2023 21:00

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.

The sooner she finds out what some men can be like the better.

PurpleFlower1983 · 04/01/2023 21:03

Are you sure she’s not been asked to read them rather than watch?

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 04/01/2023 21:37

SaintLoy · 04/01/2023 21:00

The sooner she finds out what some men can be like the better.

Show quote history

There are other ways to find out than to watch some really brutal and cruel scenes of women being raped and tortured

EncyclopediaOfNought · 04/01/2023 21:48

I haven’t read the thread- but I’d presume the teacher means the film of the Handmaid’s tale. Not the recent tv series

NumberTheory · 04/01/2023 22:09

EncyclopediaOfNought · 04/01/2023 21:48

I haven’t read the thread- but I’d presume the teacher means the film of the Handmaid’s tale. Not the recent tv series

Good point, I’d forgotten there was a movie. It was fairly crap as I recall, but not nearly as disturbing visually.

EncyclopediaOfNought · 05/01/2023 08:35

The movie really isn’t particularly disturbing, in fact offred comes across passive if you haven’t read the book. It’s quite faithful to the book, I really doubt a teacher would send kids to watch the current series! It’s both terrifying and far far from the original book plot.

sashh · 05/01/2023 09:29

greybuolding · 04/01/2023 19:51

Why are they watching films/TV instead of reading in ENGLISH LITERATURE anyway, that's what I want to know!

Back in the 1980s we went to the cinema to see 'Lord of the Flies' and the theatre to watch A midsummer night's dream' - it's not new.

I've shown films in the classroom

Oh and my brother was once given maths homework of 'Watch liverpool beat X' .

OP

I would be contacting the school and asking what the actual homework is.

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