I just can’t wait until she comes across (hee hee!) the series of episodes where Samantha takes on a lesbian relationship and dicoveres the height of female sexual gratification when her partner ‘gushes’ in her face during cunnilingus.
She informs me that was in Season 3 or 4. As I say, she’s a bit bored by Samantha’s antics.
I have an eight year old daughter, but she’s not seen that show. Neither have I, nor her mother (AFAIK), save about five minutes at the end of one show. I’d have to watch it a little bit more to judge whether or not I’d allow her to watch it. But gauging from the small amount that I saw I’d probably hedge towards “no”. A bit from the very adult situations, but maybe as much because I like to limit how much time my kids spend watching TV, so in those times when they do I’d rather it be something else.
Ask me in 8 years. Although I think some people in this thread are rather prudish 16? 18? Where I come from broadcast TV shows soft-core porn on Saturday nights, freely available for any young lad willing to stay up and watch something other than SNL.
Eight year olds are very literal. Until a viewer can appreciate the comedic undertone of the show, and the fact that the characters are sympathetic *only * because they are fictional, then he/she is too young to watch it.
I think quite a few girls can pick up the undertone, especially with respect to Samantha and her shenanigans. As another poster pointed out, kids who have witnessed their parents in the throes of “mucha lucha” will probably be able to attune to the sex side of the show mopre easily - and without undue trauma. Of course, it should be said that the bulk of the show features the gals doing their girly stuff, such as shopping, eating and hanging out together. I should mention Stanford is a great favourite from the early series and, together with *Queer Eye *, gave my daughter a solid introduction to gay life.
By and large, I suspect it’s less dangerous than letting her watch The Polar Express or Cinderella, which have nastier and more pernicious messages in them.
You should let children watch whatever they’re interested in watching. As with a free press and an uncensored board, that’s the best avenue to enable the best viewpoints and messages and perspectives to rise to the top. Censorship is stupid.
:rolleyes:
::chanting::
YOU ARE CORRECT. NUDITY IS EVIL. SWEAR WORDS COME FROM SATAN. PROTECT THE CHILDREN. PROTECT THE CHILDREN. PROTECT THE CHILDREN.
I don’t know…I’m pretty liberal socially, but I think there is a happy medium somwhere. My gut seems to think 8 years old is a bit young to watch SATC, but each child is different. I think having children comfortable with nudity at that age is good, but I’m not sure about getting exposed to the ins-and-outs, so to speak, of all the variants of sexual activity. Then again, I would say it’s better than sitting your kid in front of some gloriously violent movie at that age.
I still think there should be some innocence to childhood and had I children, I don’t think I’d let them watch such a show until they’re 12 or so. (Whoever suggested 18…you gotta be kidding me?)
Anyhow, that’s my two cents.
I am not, for the most part, a prude. I do not believe nudity is evil and I don’t think swear words come from satan as I don’t believe in satan.
I would not let my eight-year old watch Sex and the City. There is such a concept as age appropriate and I don’t think that show is appropriate for an eight-year old. What you choose to let your children watch is, ultimately, your choice. I think it’s great that the OP watches and discusses the show with his daughter. Actually, I think that’s fantastic. Not in our house, though.
Going back to nudity, I have no problems exposing (heh) my boys to nudity. We frequently go to museums and art galleries and there are naked people depicted in statues, paintings and drawings. We approve of nudity in a non-sexual context for our children.
Am I missing something? Roger knows his daughter watches it, and instead of choosing to ignore this reality or ineffectually prohibit her from watching it, he watches it with her and discusses the episode. Isn’t that what concerned parents are supposed to do?
Good on you, brother. I think that’s one well-adjusted child you are raising.
To be honest, I agree with you. I would hope my kids are not big tv watchers. However, if they somehow saw this show and really liked it, the last thing I would do is forbid them from watching it, thereby assuring they’re going to watch it every chance they get. It’s an adult show and once the shock and curiousity factors wear off, most kids will get bored of it (except, of course, for roger’s daughter :).)
I’d probably be the same. I’m not real big on forbidding things since that may be what it takes them to want to do something (cite: Genesis). So if she did want to watch it then I’d first discuss with her why she did, particulary how she even knew the show existed, and then watch with her to explain what’s going on. The reason I’d ask how she came to know about the show would be that she’s not supposed to be up that late watching TV, so it surely would have come from another child. In the end I’d rather her watch this than say, The Sopranos.
“Ineffectually?”
Are there people lurking on the streets with little handheld DVD players trying to get the kid to watch it?
She’s EIGHT. If Mom and Dad say no, just how is she going to have a chance to see it? Hop in the car and drive to a friend’s house?
Parents can most certainly control what their kids (especially children) see on TV, whether the kids like it or not. It’s called unplug the damn thing and/or get rid of it.
A smart kid will absolutely find a way to do that kind of stuff if you forbid him or her, whether it be at a friend’s house, while you are alseep, or some other way.
I’d rather teach my kids to think for themselves than raise bleating sheep that did exactly what I said when I said it.
Errr, I forgot to add: I would also prefer not to raise liars, which is what will happen when you start forbidding a smart/rebelious kid from doing things.
My parents used to say they’d rather have us drink and smoke pot at the house than be out sneaking around and lying about it and possibly driving. We partied hard and had a lot of fun but guess what? None of us do drugs now (not even pot) and we’re only light social drinkers. We’re also very successful, independent young adults now. My brother is doing quite well at raising a family and I’m maintaining a 4.0gpa in college while supporting myself.
My parents took the taboo away from it thereby letting us approach it maturely and with responsibility. Granted, this was when we were teenagers, not 8, but I think the same thing applies to tv shows, movies, music, etc.
Because we certainly can’t have kids that oh, obey and respect their parents just because it’s the right thing to do. :rolleyes:
Your ideas are intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
For the people who are worried/upset/confused/ and otherwise nonplussed, what do you think is going to happen? Why is it so awful? When does SatC become “age appropriate”? Did you ever watch “naughty” things as a child? Did it mess you up?
I’m asking because I’m genuinely curious. I don’ thave children, or plan to, so I really have no clue at all about the thought that goes into this kind of decision. I don’t see anything wrong with it, but I don’t see anything wrong with a lot of things, which is probably why I have cats instead of kids.