firefly for childeren - too young

POSTED BY: tcortezz
UPDATED: Saturday, August 12, 2006 12:56
VIEWED: 11698
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INDIGOSTARBLASTER

Wednesday, July 5, 2006 2:38 PM

I remember in junior high we read "young adult novels" in school about slavery in the Old South. There was also one about children left to fend for themselves in Poland during WWII (father taken to a concentration camp, mother already fled to Switzerland). My brother and I were also reading science fiction and fantasy novels on our own around that age (Lord of the Rings, Piers Anthony (lots of sex and nudity in those books, even if it isn't particularly graphic), Star Trek novelizations). And we had watched tons and tons of Hong Kong martial arts TV series on tape.

All of which is to say, depending on how the kids are being raised, the 13-year-old has probably already been exposed to more fictional sex and violence than Firefly contains, and probably with less moral and literary merit, too. And maybe even the 8-year-old -- I understand the exposure to this kind of stuff happens earlier now than it did twenty years ago.

Anyway, I wouldn't write off Firefly for the kids based on age alone. My understanding is that the best way to handle this is to sit and watch with them. That way, you can explain anything puzzling that comes up and turn the TV off if it seems to be upsetting the kids.

Indigo S.

PAGANPAUL

Wednesday, July 5, 2006 3:14 PM

I've got three kids, ages 11, 9 and 6. They all love Firefly and Serenity.

True, there are certain scenes when the 6 year old covers his eyes (Reaver scenes, mostly) and my 9 year old daughter keeps asking questions about why Inara still sees other people when it's clear to her that she's really in love with Mal (yes, my 9 year old can even tell that!), but other than that they are fine with everything in the show and movie.

Kids are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for, or maybe mine are just geniuses, but in any case I'm the one who decides what is appropriate for them to watch, and in my opinion Firefly and Serenity have so many positive qualities to impart that they totally outweigh the very few negatives that the kids might pick up.

Besides, the show is very educational. They are all learning to swear in Mandarin.

Just my $0.02.

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流口水的婊子和猴子的笨儿子。
Liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze duh bun ur-tze.
"Stupid son of a drooling whore and a monkey."

MSG

Wednesday, July 5, 2006 3:18 PM

As a teacher I have to say...Thanks for teaching them to swear in mandarin. That's one less thing for me to have to write tickets for or yell at the kids about. I can easily claim I had no idea they were swearing....hmmmm I think I may start doing that at school. Then the kids could swear and we wouldn't have to waste a surprisingly large amount of time pretending we care and making them stop:)

I choose to rise instead of fall- U2

13

Wednesday, July 5, 2006 9:11 PM

I'm not a great judge of rating systems, as I've seen practically every gory movie made in the last 37 years. Saw the Exorcist when I was 9, Hostel a few days ago, Hills Have Eyes, both versions.

-------------------------------------------------

'It's Braedan. With an A.'

'Shiny moments aren't a destination any of us get to, and stay put forever. They're unknowable, brief flashes in time. That's what makes them shiny.' -GorramReevers

MSG

Wednesday, July 5, 2006 9:17 PM

where precisely are your parents while you have been watching these things????

I choose to rise instead of fall- U2

FLORALBUNNY

Thursday, July 6, 2006 6:56 AM

Parents should watch first --
all of it -- so they know what's
coming, then decide which is too
far ahead of which kid. They'll
be better prepared by that than by
getting someone else's description.

And it needs to be discussed
afterward. The crew aren't all the
best role models.

Lots of times we have to discuss
things with our kids without any
preparation. Why toss away a chance
to think it through?

JMHO, of course.

/\/\/\/\/\/\bun/\/\/\/\/\/\
~2006~Firefly Summer~2006~
----Hide the rum! 7706----

SHINYYUKARI

Thursday, July 6, 2006 7:32 AM

It's definately depending on their level of maturity. I already understood most things by the time I was 12 and I'm 16 now. We definately know more than we let on.

But it's always good to check with the parents first. Every set is different. My mom watched Dead Like Me with me back wehn it was on and I know that if I had a different mom, I probably would have been forbidden from watching it.

"Well next time you be the bait!"~Andy Hurley
"Okay! Everybody not talking about sex, in here. Everybody else, elsewhere."~Wash
Browncoats are the coolest fans I've ever seen.

RAKARR

Thursday, July 6, 2006 8:52 AM

Honestly I think it is OK for kids to watch. Although I don't know if any one less than 16 would be able to really appreciate it for what Firefly is. Atleast for me I love the series cuz of all the meaning in it. I think most people under age 16 probably don't have that open of a mind or are able to understand the meaning behind say the ship Serenity's name and so on. Hell not even full grown adults, like my dad can understand it. Seems like Firefly attracts more female viewers than male lol.

Anyways children 8-12 I highly doubt would be able to enjoy it for what it is.

KAELE

Thursday, July 6, 2006 1:36 PM

My five year old watches Firefly and has seen Serenity. But he hasn't seen all the episodes of Firefly yet. War Stories is one I don't let him see yet, but maybe in another year or so.

We've always discussed with him about the difference between fantasy and reality, and that much of what's on TV is pretend. (Even the news sometimes!)

And I'll agree with just about everyone here, it depends on the child and how you speak to your children. If you engage them in their TV watching and discuss it with them, then yes, Firefly should be fine. There are some interesting themes that will bring up some enlightening discussions: how a government can gain too much control, legalization of prostitution, justifying violence, breaking the law and remaining moral...

Fun and wacky times. :)

~Kaele

Join the fight.
Become a part of the Browncoat Army.
[url] http://forum.serenityday.org

PAGANPAUL

Thursday, July 6, 2006 4:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaele:
My five year old watches Firefly and has seen Serenity.

Oh thank all the Gods and Goddesses above and below! I thought I was the only one to let the "nyen ching-duh"s watch. Glad to see I'm not alone.

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaele:
There are some interesting themes that will bring up some enlightening discussions: how a government can gain too much control, legalization of prostitution, justifying violence, breaking the law and remaining moral...

Same here. I've had a lot of discussions with the kids about governments abusing power, but I try to stay away from the prostitution angle. Hell, my WIFE wants to become a Registered Companion - I don't need my daughters growing up with that as their main goal too!

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流口水的婊子和猴子的笨儿子。
Liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze duh bun ur-tze.
"Stupid son of a drooling whore and a monkey."

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