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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let me kids see the barbie movie

119 replies

KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 10:33

My sons, 6 and 7, are desperate to see the barbie movie. I told them it’s for grown ups and they were gutted.

I saw it last night and actually didn’t think it was very inappropriate. Few references to adult themes but nothing worse than in a lot of family shows like the Simpsons. That said I think maybe the middle section about feminist theory and cultural representation might go over their heads 🙃

Though as young men maybe it would be good exposure?

Anyway I’m still saying no unless mumsnet thinks I’m being mean…

YABU - 6 and 7 year old kids can see the Barbie movie

YANBU - they’re too young

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NewDogOwner · 23/07/2023 11:59

It's definitely best for young people and older who already know about the patriarchy and how difficult life is for women so they can feel seen and understood. It's not a fun storyline. There is a serious and often sad message about hard it is to be a girl/ woman. A mother gives a moving and hard-hitting speech about all the contradictory ways women are expected to be; Barbie is shown being visibly uncomfortable with male attention and says that she feels an undercurrent of violence. Parents may not want to introduce these ideas to their young children who haven't experienced these yet. I can imagine some little girls not wanting to be a woman after seeing this.

Peachy2005 · 23/07/2023 12:01

So interested in this because someone (who is uber-religious) said to me yesterday that it’s basically the devil’s work because it’s promoting to young girls not to have children and it has trans-gender Barbies (shock horror 😉) in it (so they will think it’s promoting that too presumably).

I just ignored all of it and changed the subject because the person won’t have seen it themselves and their sources for any information (and their views on many subjects) are deeply suspect to me.

But interested to hear from people who’ve actually seen it so I can respond if the person brings it up again.

gogomoto · 23/07/2023 12:03

I wouldn't mind seeing it, but I'll go late evening showing to avoid the kids!

Darknightsahead · 23/07/2023 12:07

I seen it last night. I mean it’s not unsuitable for young kids, but it’s just not aimed at them at all.

Even I was getting bored towards the end. Thought the last 20 minutes was dire.

Sherrystrull · 23/07/2023 12:08

fitzwilliamdarcy · 23/07/2023 11:52

I haven’t seen Super Mario to be fair but I can’t imagine many adults who weren’t parents went to see it.

I think there’s a difference between a kids film that throws in some jokes to make it not intolerable for the parents who are there, and a film that is aimed at teenagers/adults rather than parents accompanying young kids. I’m glad this Barbie move is the latter.

I know a few adults who went to see Super Mario without children for the nostalgia aspect.

I think the marketing of the Barbie movie hasn't helped to be honest. It clearly appears to target younger children. My dc aren't into Barbie so it doesn't matter to me but I remember when the Transformers first movie came out and my dc was really into transformers it was pitched way too high for him so we explained it and just didn't go.

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KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 12:14

@listsandbudgets if you are from my neck of the woods then you’ll probably identify with the woke members of the community agonising at what age to educate small boys about patriarchy lol 😂

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Londontown12 · 23/07/2023 12:16

I watched it and whilst I was there younger children were going in and out constantly because they obviously was bored ! They looked a lot younger than 12 ! My opinion it’s a hyped up movie I thought it was rubbish 😂 x

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KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 12:17

@Sherrystrull regarding the marketing very much so. My boys don’t have barbies and though they have female friends their girl mates don’t have them either (less fashionable these days? Dunno) but obviously some marketing on youtube or something has got in as it’s all the kids at school have been talking about.

My youngest who quite likes a doll has asked for a barbie now though!

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KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 12:18

@Hairobsessed123 Greta Gerwig’s movies do tend to be a bit marmite. I loved it like i loved little women and ladybird too but have mates who HATED them all!

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MysteryBelle · 23/07/2023 12:24

Wouldn’t spend money on that movie. I had a Daisy doll when I was a kid, I didn’t like Barbies, they looked like they had giant breast implants. I loved my Daisy doll and she was so chic wearing Mary Quant’s designs 😀

To not let me kids see the barbie movie
Blaggingit123 · 23/07/2023 12:28

I took my 7 and 10 year olds yesterday, I’m not sure about being ‘aimed’ at adults, kind of has something for everyone as there are adult jokes but also a lot of cheesy singing and dancing. Not really the sort of film I’d have thought about seeing if I didn’t have young girls. Some of it went over their heads but my 7yo was on the edge of her seat for most of it and I don’t think she’ll ever forget the hilarity of a film saying the word ‘penis’. I laughed out loud a few times. I’d be fairly horrified by young children who found such a loud, bright film on a cinema screen ‘boring’ tbh, the adult themes are surely presented in a very accessible way?

fitzwilliamdarcy · 23/07/2023 12:29

Peachy2005 · 23/07/2023 12:01

So interested in this because someone (who is uber-religious) said to me yesterday that it’s basically the devil’s work because it’s promoting to young girls not to have children and it has trans-gender Barbies (shock horror 😉) in it (so they will think it’s promoting that too presumably).

I just ignored all of it and changed the subject because the person won’t have seen it themselves and their sources for any information (and their views on many subjects) are deeply suspect to me.

But interested to hear from people who’ve actually seen it so I can respond if the person brings it up again.

I think it promotes the message that being a mother isn’t the only that a girl can do.

It certainly doesn’t suggest that women shouldn’t want to be mothers - the plot is driven by a moving mother/daughter relationship and there’s a great monologue that touches on the difficulties faced by modern mothers.

There’s a transgender actress playing one of the Barbies but it’s never mentioned. I only knew about it because some conservatives in the US were frothing over it.

WandaWonder · 23/07/2023 12:32

My child is older now and has interein this but if younger and they did I would have no issue, my child may have their moments but they were aware from a young age movies are fiction seperate to real life so I don't need to control this for them

OCaptain · 23/07/2023 12:35

Sherrystrull · 23/07/2023 11:38

It's such a shame a film that will clearly appeal to young children has been pitched at an older audience.

Do you understand the themes of the movie? Just replace the name 'Barbie' with 'repressed stereotyped female doll confronts reality and all its norms' and you're starting to get there.

Simply because a film is named 'Barbie' doesn't mean it's a kids' movie. Try the 55-odd other Barbie movies out there.

Sherrystrull · 23/07/2023 12:37

@OCaptain

Why the need for the aggressive post? I'm entitled to my opinion as you are yours. Did you mean to be so rude?

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KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 12:39

MysteryBelle · 23/07/2023 12:24

Wouldn’t spend money on that movie. I had a Daisy doll when I was a kid, I didn’t like Barbies, they looked like they had giant breast implants. I loved my Daisy doll and she was so chic wearing Mary Quant’s designs 😀

Very nice. I wasn’t allowed barbies at all as a child. My mother is from a culture / country where they didn’t have them and when she moved to the uk found the idea of kids playing with a doll that looked like a sexualised adult to be super creepy. I wanted one though!!!

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Peachy2005 · 23/07/2023 12:42

Thanks@fitzwilliamdarcy - as I expected, complete non-issue and the person talking to me will have been reading those frothing Conservative sources.

TinaTotal · 23/07/2023 12:43

I saw it last night and it was deeper than I was expecting and it's not really a film for kids with the irrepressible thoughts of death.

There was a whole row of 8 year olds in front of us playing games on phones because they were bored.

OCaptain · 23/07/2023 12:47

@Sherrystrull

Why the need for the aggressive post? I'm entitled to my opinion as you are yours. Did you mean to be so rude?

Sorry it came across as aggressive, Sherry. It wasn't meant that way. I not long came back from a screening of Oppenheimer and there were so many little girls at the cinema obviously there to see Barbie. While it isn't a violent movie, they won't understand it, and thematically it is far above them. There are so many better, more appropriate movies for children. (Thankfully, no kids at Oppenheimer!)

Destinedforfakeness · 23/07/2023 12:48

I know 12a is for parents discretion but honestly it should be used as an indicator of how appropriate the film is. I'm not sure any trailers or promo I've seen would make me think it's suitable for a 6 and 7 year old. So I'm not sure why you would be even thinking of this

Destinedforfakeness · 23/07/2023 12:58

Jongleterre · 23/07/2023 11:10

Why would you want your children watching utter dross?

Why do you say it's utter dross? What do you know about it? Or have you just seen the pink and decided this?

thatsnotmylifeitstoocrazy · 23/07/2023 12:59

Its shit but yeah let them watch it

redskytwonight · 23/07/2023 13:03

KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 10:48

It’s a 12a which is parent discretion for children under that age. I wouldn’t break the law by taking them to see a film they legally weren’t allowed to 😂

Show quote history

12A means it's suitable for over 12s but accepts that some younger children may also be mature enough to watch it, with adult guidance.

I highly doubt that your 6 and 7 year olds have the maturity of an average 12 year old. Therefore they are too young.

budgiegirl · 23/07/2023 13:14

Anyway I’m still saying no unless mumsnet thinks I’m being mean…

It depends why you are still saying no. If it's because you originally believed it was inappropriate, have changed your mind since seeing it, but are rigidly sticking to what you first said because you don't want to back down then you are wrong.

If you are still saying no because you think they won't enjoy it/will be bored then you are right, and it would probably be a waste of money and time.

Only you know your children, and if you think they would enjoy this film, now that you've seen it you are in a better place to judge.

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KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 14:09

budgiegirl · 23/07/2023 13:14

Anyway I’m still saying no unless mumsnet thinks I’m being mean…

It depends why you are still saying no. If it's because you originally believed it was inappropriate, have changed your mind since seeing it, but are rigidly sticking to what you first said because you don't want to back down then you are wrong.

If you are still saying no because you think they won't enjoy it/will be bored then you are right, and it would probably be a waste of money and time.

Only you know your children, and if you think they would enjoy this film, now that you've seen it you are in a better place to judge.

Fair.

Originally thought would be inappropriate. Saw it and on balance don’t think inappropriate but did think they would likely be bored.

Was wondering if there would be dozens of people saying their 6 and 7 year olds had loved it (after all a lot of what they enjoy i’m surprised by!), which doesn’t seem to be the case x

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