Would you let a 6y/o see Barbie?

[44PumpLane]

I'm in two minds about this- kids have been invited to see Barbie the movie but it's rated 12A because of moderate sexual innuendo, brief harassment, catcalling and implied strong language (including bleeped out motherf*er).

Supposedly it has the words bitch, crap, God, hell and damn in.

What would you do? We wouldn't typically let the kids see anything with this sort of language but then it would mean missing out on someone's birthday party.

There is no chance of us seeing it before the girls as we would have to accept or decline the invite today.

I think the swearing would go over the heads of mine, but I definitely know it wouldn't others so they then might chat about it or discuss it afterwards.

Am I being too precious about it all?

YABU- let them go see it

YANBU- yeah I probably wouldn't let a 6 year old see it or I'd want to see it myself first to judge.

I take it back.

@WildUnchartedWaters
wrong
12a means under 12s have to be accompanied

back in the day there was a 12 cert which was strictly no under 12s but that cert doesn’t seem to be used any more

Cross post

I'm considering going to see the movie with friends, would be a bit confused if 6 year olds were in the cinema as from what I've seen the target audience is adults?

It's probably mostly aimed at the adults accompanying the dc tbf although I personally have no issue. It's not like it's particularly unsuitable for that age more that it's a bit long and they won't get a lot of it

Now you can adjust your expectations so as not to be confused as you can see some 6/7 year olds will indeed be going.

Why would you be confused 🤣

I think the film is completely aimed at adults, the humour and set up of it.
I did earlier say it's a shame that kids will see it advertised and it's not for them, but I think small children going to see it is ridiculous.

Because it is not a kids film! Easy concept.

Agreed, but you wouldnt be

My 18 and 20 year old are both going on the day it opens - they are the target audience.

I fail to understand the outrage and horror that it’s not aimed at 6 year olds.

Do you actually have to ask? Come on. It’s 12 for a reason. Totally unsuitable for small kids.

I'd decline the invitation and let the parents know that it's because the film is a 12A. They may have genuinely missed the certification. Elemental would be much more suitable.

Except it’s not a 12, is it?

No, but 12a gives you an idea it's not aimed at someone half that age.

It will be when it's rated for streaming and DVD.

There aren't actually any differences in the criteria for classification as 12A and 12. The only difference is that 12A is for cinema only and 12 is for home media only.

The 12 certificate hasn't existed for years. I think it's quite clear that PP meant 12A. The 12A was introduced because it was agreed that some children might be mature enough to see 12 films at an age earlier than 12. However I think it's fairly clear that 6/7/8 year olds do not have the same maturity of an average 12 year old. A 12A is unsuitable for them. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.

It's legal to give a 6 year old alcohol at home. Doesn't mean you should start giving them glasses of vodka with dinner.

My 5 year old isn't seeing it. She saw a trailer and was told "its for grown ups, shall we watch Barbie mermaid magic later?"

I am however concerned as I will be seeing it with friends and was looking forward to a grown up day out, nit a room full of 6 year olds who are not used to sitting through a 2 hour film! The content may be fine, but the running length wont be! And I am also expecting a large number of female groups who will have probably been for brunches/drinks before hand, so this is going to be an interesting mix!

It still exists, but only for home media like DVDs. 12A and 12 have exactly the same criteria. The A stands for 'advisory'.

I’ve just mentioned this thread to my 18 yr old dd who laughed and then said it’s obvious it’s not aimed at children, why would anyone think of taking a child to it, not everything has to be for children and can’t they just watch the other 89 million Barbie movies made for their age group! Brutal but accurate (she also added that mumsnet was weird and funny and why did I spend time on it - also maybe brutal but accurate).

It may not be aimed at that age, but I do not see anything in the descriptions which would concern me about my nearly 8yo watching. The “A” means it’s up to the discretion of the parent as to if they think their under 12 would cope.

I personally wouldn’t send her with another family; I’d rather be there with her so I could help answer questions relating to the sexual/sexist themes, and so I could leave if she wasn’t coping/enjoying it.

I am more concerned about her watching “darker” films of the same classification, personally. Like the marvel ones.

The only difference between a 12 and a 12A is parental discretion

12 is a hard and fast "no under 12s at all under any circumstances" but doesn't account for the differences in maturity level of preteens and their ability to handle different themes/sexual references/violence etc thatay be present.

12A means "It's aimed at 12+ but if you think your younger than 12 child can handle it then we will trust your assessment as their parent and let them in under your supervision but the consequences are on you if your child can't handle it"

This means that people can take their 6yo to see Barbie if they really want to but they only have themselves to blame if/when their child doesn't enjoy it or it leads to awkward questions about something that didn't go over their head that you thought would.

I went to see the latest Indiana Jones the other week and as I arrived there was a woman with a kid of about 9/10 arguing with one of the staff about wanting a refund because they had had to leave their showing of IJ5 as it was too scary for her child. Fortunately the staff member was not phased by her complaints and was very matter of fact when she told her "The film is a 12A for a reason, if your under 12 can't handle it then that is not our responsibility and you are not entitled to a refund based on the film being unsuitable as you knew the classification before you went in." so clearly this is an issue they have to deal with all too regularly.

And then everyone clapped?

No, this is incorrect.

The only difference between 12A and 12 is the viewing location. There is no difference at all in the criteria.

12 is home media only.

12A is cinema only.

Very interesting to see how many people on this thread don't realise this.

??