Sneaking into R's - Connecting with Kids

Sneak A Peak

Kids may tell their parents they are going to one movie, but actually see something entirely different. “I snuck into the Matrix and I mean the guy doesn’t really check your ticket. You can just go in and they don’t even notice you,” says 13 year old Samantha.

A flood of R-rated movies that attract kids have raised concerns about the way theaters do business by both parents and lawmakers alike. Once inside the outside movie theater door, kids can and often do roam freely between movies. Theater owners admit more can be done, especially when it comes to checking I.Ds at the entrance, but they say manning guard on all theater doors is not feasible.

“We do believe we have an important responsibility, but we’re not a substitute for a parent,” says George Lefont with the National Association of Theater Owners.

Experts say parents need to make occasional checks on their kids by going unannounced to the movie kids said they were seeing. Still, the best way for parents to know what kids are watching is for parents to buy an adult ticket and tag along.

What Parents Should Know

Movies might be rated R but many are being marketed to the PG-13 audience, and many kids are finding a way to defy the grown ups and give into the hype for the must see showing.

Young kids are planning to find a way to see “South Park”, “American Pie”, and other hot hits like “Matrix”, “Election”, and “Trippin”.

Experts advise parents to avoid dropping kids off at theaters where the new popular movies are playing unless they plan to stay and make sure kids actually watch the PG and G rated movies they paid to see.

Still, if kids actually get in to see the taboo flicks, don’t over react. Most studies show that while R-rated movies, particularly violent ones aren’t healthy for kids, it’s unlikely that limited exposure to bad movies will have any long term adverse effects on a child who is emotionally balanced. Numerous studies show a link between violent movies and aggressive behavior, but fail to show that bad movies actually cause kids to act violently.

“We do believe we have an important responsibility, but we’re not a substitute for a parent.”

--George Lefont, Theater Owner

Crack Down

President Clinton is encouraging theater owners to participate in a voluntary crack down that would require prohibiting underage kids from watching R-rated films in movie houses. Members of the National Association of Theater Owners have committed to enforce the system by requiring kids to show an I.D. before entering R-rated movies. The association represents about 65% of theaters in the United States.

Another Opinion

Some say all the hype about violent, R rated movies causing bad behavior, is just that: hype. President Clinton’s crack down on theater owners prompting I.D. checks for kids and blame on the motion picture industry for violence among children is being criticized by some as political posturing with very little substance. Clinton’s critics say many studies show that normal kids can differentiate between reality and fantasy and are able to tolerate limited exposure to movies with adult themes. Critics say movies are not to blame for kids bad behavior. Their message to those cracking down on theaters and the film industry: “Relax. It’s only a movie.”

Resources
For more information on parenting issues contact us: Connecting with Kids