Categories: uncategorized
Date: 04 May 2011 17:29:15
So the Guardian is debating if Dr. Who is now too scary for children? Um, what about stuff being too scary for the grown ups?
I am a wuss and can just about cope with being in the same room as the i-player repeats of Dr. Who if I am doing something else at the same time. Similarly, I had to send my daughter to see the Harry Potter films with other people because my first encounter with passeltongue (or whatever the snakes speak) coming from the TV set sent me hiding under a quilt and then having to have the DVD stopped until I was no longer in the room.
This being a wuss thing isn't just about sci-fi and tv though. It raises a wider question about appropriate content in things. I have watched 15 films with Third Party for years, aware the language was probably not as bad as what she'd be hearing in the street or on the school bus. As for the sexual content...well most of that was actually quite mild. These chick flick films provided some kind of bonding, and then as she got older they turned to an appreciation for Brat Pack movies. Yet, I know many people think the "language" makes it inappropriate for children. I think at the end of the day it comes down to being aware of ourselves and our own children. We need to take responsibility for knowing the thresholds we and them can take.
It's similar when you're involving yourself in planning events in classrooms and churches and anywhere I guess. You know need to know your class, audience, congregation or whatever and make the thresholds what they will be comfortable with...whilst being ready to challenge their thinking and imagination. At the end of the day I think it comes down to two words, "common sense".