Dirty Dancing for 12yo girls ? Okay?

[ChillinwiththeVillains]

DD and friends having a sleepover. All Y7, nice articulate girls who seem to have ALOT of conversations about sex and pregnancy etc.. Culturally diverse but sheltered backgroundsAt single sex school but usual themes of gay, bi, pan etc. come up in discussion. And also Roe v Wade.
I am trying to think of a film that will engage them but not perpetuate too many stereotypes or focus too much on bodily perfection.
I thought Dirty Dancing has a lead who achieves something (the jump) through practice and determination, stands up for what she thinks is right and has some nice coverage of class issues too. But is also cracking film. This is sadly not so true of eg Pretty Woman which I rewatched recently and thought was really icky.
I also thought that they may not have seen Speed and that prob isn’t as controversial but doesn’t seem too reductive of the roles of girls etc.
Would you mind as a parent if I showed either of these? Thanks for any opinions.

I loved dirty dancing when I was that age (still do)

I love dirty dancing, but do you not think the older man and very young girl angle is a bit icky to be putting forward to young girls as an inspiration achievement film?

Hmmm, hadn’t thought about the age gap. It’s tricky as I want something they will love rather than them starting to search for stuff on ‘phones (which I will take away at bedtime anyway) or horror or anything.

I also love Dirty Dancing!

Maybe I will hedge it with “back in the day no one was grossed out by massive age gap but obviously nowadays you know better”.

Definitely a good hedging idea!! I still love the film, took me a few years to realise that it wasn't quite appropriate in nowadays thoughts though 😂 although I do love an older man, so keep your eyes open 😂 can't blame only dirty dancing but definitely opened my eyes!

No word of a lie, I got my Mum to hire this from the video shop for my 10th birthday!
We didn't see all the red flags at all, and the abortion went completely over our heads.
We saw dancing and falling in love.

Have you seen any films since the 90s?

I could be wrong and it's a great film, but Dirty Dancing looks boring and cringey.

I think she is 18 and he is 24 so not a huge age gap that would make me uncomfortable.
I loved the film at 12. my ds is 11 and has seen bits of it so it wouldn’t bother me but I would check with parents first though as it is a 15(I think?!).

My dvd says it s a 15 but I think it might have been reclassified. I don’t personally think it’s appropriate for 11/12 year olds and would stick to something less controversial for a sleepover even if you don’t mind your own child watching. There’s plenty of new films which are aimed at tweens, I’m not sure pretty woman, speed and dirty dancing would be my top
picks!

Yes the age gap is the only really bleugh thing.

The Pitch Perfect films are great for lighter but still great girl-focused fun.

I wonder what certificate Made in Dagenham would be if it wasn't for all the swearing.

Btw I don’t think you can really take away other kids phones overnight. If you want to I think you need to check with parents first..

I think they're the wrong age - too old to not notice the abortion theme and some of the dancing is very sexual.

I watched it at ten and loved it but quite a bit went over my head.

Ditto Blue Lagoon!

I really wouldn't be all that pleased if my 12 year old came home saying someone had shown her Dirty Dancing. 12 is a bit young for the abortion scenes, I would want to watch it with her so I could explain and answer any questions about a women's right to choose.

It's a great film and I remember watching it with my mum but I was definitely a couple of years older. We bonded over rewinding the tape to see Patrick Swazye's rear end 😁

if they are already talking about sex, pregnancy and abortion then its not too old for them and actually a good subject about back street abortions

Common Sense Media says 14 from parents and 12 from kids for Dirty Dancing. Clueless is another good fun move, and the fashions from Clueless seem to be coming back these days.

Pitch perfect may be better more modern and still suitable age category

@chipsandpeas I don't disagree but sitting down with my own daughters. Not leaving them to watch it on their own with friends at a sleepover. I'd also want to clear it with the other girls' parent first.

Legally blonde is a big craze amongst Dts and their mates at the moment, safer ground for a sleepover.

Will look up Pitch Perfect thank you.
the other one she will suggest is Wild Child which has nice elements (girl realises true friendship is what matters) but is a bit more focused on skinny prettiness. Hmm, maybe I’ll just watch DD with her.
I was going to check with parents about confiscating ‘phones but it is pretty standard amongst her friendship group that no kids take ‘phones upstairs at nighttime. Not sure how long it will last but I am grateful for it at the moment.

I think its fine age wise but I found it so boring when my mum showed it to me.
In yr7 would they not pick their own film? At that age in a similar sounding group, we watched things like Wild Child, Easy-A, Angus Thongs and perfect snogging and St Trinians, like films you wouldnt watch with your family but would on a sleepover

Legally Blonde and Clueless may also be runners. And both quite nice stories too. Thank you.

I went to see dirty dancing at the cinema for my 12th birthday when it was re-released in the 90s.

the age gap isn’t that much- don’t think Jonny is much older than 25. I like that it shows that smart girls (Baby is the smart one, Her sister is the pretty one) can still be fancied by attractive men. I think not putting yourself in a corner is quite an empowering message.

if they already discuss Roe v Wade, I don’t think the abortion stuff is too much. Be different if they’d never heard of it.

I think 12 is a bit young for Dirty Dancing. There are so many other good films. DD (12) loves all the Legally Blonde, Clueless, Wild Child, Mean Girls, Parent Trap... She also wants to watch Heathers. Not 100% sure about that mind.

Legally Blonde is good!

My DD's loved the original pitch perfect at that age and mamma Mia they would have been 9&11. If you have Netflix, look at the British film section, I've seen some really good ones which of course I can't remember the names of but our DD's (bit older) enjoyed too, with a bit of thought provoking content too