As a parent, I’ve introduced my son to quite a few films that perhaps aren’t entirely suitable for his age. This wasn’t how I envisioned things going. My partner and I agreed from day one that we would carefully manage his screen time and the content he consumed, mindful of the violence often depicted in movies. We’re not overly conservative; we just wanted him to be mature enough to grasp what he was watching before diving into action-packed shootouts.
Initially, I planned to wait a few more years before introducing him to the iconic Star Wars series. I thought I’d hold off until he was around 6—although the galactic violence isn’t particularly gory, there’s still plenty of lightsaber dueling, blaster fire, and even some emotional farewells (poor Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen!). It seemed wise to bide my time.
That was the plan, at least, until he started hearing spoilers from kids at school and on the playground. There was no way I was going to allow some kid to ruin the big reveal about Luke’s lineage before my son even knew who Luke was! So, I caved and introduced him to Episode IV when he was just 4.
When I was a kid, we had a wealth of live-action options for children, with most films rated PG. While not all PG films were perfectly suitable for every child, the standards were more flexible back then. Movies like Gremlins, Ghostbusters, E.T., The Princess Bride, and Beetlejuice were all rated PG (notably, the PG-13 rating didn’t even exist for many of them), leaving it to parents to decide what was appropriate for their families.
Fast forward to today, and PG feels like the new G, while G-rated films just don’t cut it for my 6-year-old. Once we’ve gone through the Disney catalog, Pixar gems, and animal-centric films, we’re left with a stark gap in live-action options for kids under 12. Suddenly, my son, who once knew nothing beyond animated classics, was swiftly watching PG-13 movies simply because we had exhausted his so-called “age-appropriate” choices.
Once he got a taste of A New Hope, the rest of the trilogy quickly followed. Before long, he was watching a few live-action films, and then it wasn’t long before he was ready for some of the lighter superhero movies. After that, cartoons just didn’t hold his interest anymore, leaving us scratching our heads for what to show him next.
In a few years, I’ll be able to share classics like The Karate Kid or Back to the Future—movies that lack objectionable content but might be too complex for him at this age. Themes surrounding relationships, peer pressure, and other adult scenarios are just beyond his grasp right now. Until then, we’re left with limited options, which is why he’s already seen more superhero films than I’d prefer. It’s also why I find it frustrating when movies like Superman v. Batman come along, turning vibrant heroes into brooding figures.
So, we’re left with little choice but to stretch the boundaries further. Last night, we didn’t actually watch Basic Instinct (just kidding!), but the lack of suitable options has become a running joke. In reality, I would never let him watch those movies. I can barely handle explaining the complexities of Superman; I certainly don’t need to introduce him to other adult themes.
Unless Hollywood starts creating fresh material tailored for the younger audience, my son may be stuck watching films that are clearly too mature for him. Otherwise, I might find myself replaying the same movies on repeat, which could lead to our home resembling the Overlook Hotel. Just kidding about that, too!
If you’re interested in exploring more about this topic, don’t forget to check out this other blog post for insights on parenting and media choices. And if you’re considering home insemination options, reputable online retailers like Make a Mom offer at-home insemination kits to help you on your journey. For more information on pregnancy and fertility, Facts About Fertility is an excellent resource to guide you.
In summary, as parents, we need better movie options for our children under 12. The current landscape leaves many of us scrambling for suitable content that can engage our kids without exposing them to material that’s too mature. It’s time for Hollywood to step up and provide a wider variety of choices for families.