The New Intimacy

In your opinion, is it OK or safe to allow children under the age of 13 to watch shows like Adult Swim?

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Contributor: Wildchild Wildchild
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
What are/would your rules on this matter be? Would/do you allow yours to watch these types of programs? I'd love to hear your opinions... I kind of need a little advice
Have you watched any of these cartoons and programs on adult swim?
09/27/2011
Contributor: hjtee hjtee
Under 4 yes. Not 4+. My husband says 10 is an appropriate age, so I guess I'll go with that.
09/27/2011
Contributor: Redboxbaby Redboxbaby
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
It depends on the child. Some children can handle, understand and not be effected by sexual humor as young as 10, others aren't ready until their mid teens.

There are only a few things I won't let my 11 year old watch; Slasher movies, ... more
This exactly!

My son is 16 and just this year we have loosened our reins on the TV shows he watches. At some point, we have to give him the freedom to be able to make good choices. I know he hears and sees much worse at school. There are some shows that even he can't stand though and he will opt to turn it all on his own. I love those moments because it gives us the opportunity to ask why he changed it and hear his reasoning. Those moments are awesome and let us know we raised a smart young man.
09/27/2011
Contributor: hyacinthgirl hyacinthgirl
I watched the anime on Adult Swim in high school... and some stuff that wasn't approved for American TV. I think I'd let my future kids watch a lot of anime over American animated shows for adults, because the Japanese seem to get that a show can be mature and intended for a mature audience without being nothing but foul language, sex jokes, and comedic sociopathy. I don't know what's on Adult Swim right now, though some of the shows that I watched I think would be inappropriate for most young teens.
10/01/2011
Contributor: The Curious Couple The Curious Couple
I think it depends on the situation. I would be okay with with my future kids watching certain shows assuming they're mature enough.
10/01/2011
Contributor: Rhazya Rhazya
Well I'm personally of the mind that parents should actually be parents. Watch the shows first and make the best judgement in mind for your child Or, watch them with your child and if any questions come up, you are right there to answer them.

My parents let me read and watch things after they had perused them first, and eventually it came to the point as I became older where they trusted my judgement, and let me know to come to them if I had any questions I wanted answered. I don't think I turned out too horribly warped.
10/05/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
It depends on the child. Some children can handle, understand and not be effected by sexual humor as young as 10, others aren't ready until their mid teens.

There are only a few things I won't let my 11 year old watch; Slasher movies, ... more
I agree. I don't watch much TV, but some of it I've happened across and been pretty shocked. I don't care for the violence or sex. I don't blame you for turning the tv off when it turned into "sex = love" I would've done the same.



Thanks for everyone's opinions! It's so nice to hear from everybody.
10/07/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
I agree with P'Gell. It really depends on the child and the show in question. I'm leary to write anything off as a whole when it comes to a child's exposure. If they have questions, *I* want to be the one giving the answers. Not their friends.
Me too, I like being the one to give them answers so I know they're properly (or at least close to properly lol) educated on important things. I don't want mine getting the wrong impression about things like sex. I haven't met many people who care where their kids get answers about things including sex, etc. I do care... a lot. I'm glad they come to me with their questions even though some are very tough! Lol. I prefer to be on the safe side and keep as much of the nasties out of the house so they aren't exposed to it. I'm not strict, but there's no rated R allowed for the kids in my house.
10/07/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by Wildchild
Have you watched any of these cartoons and programs on adult swim?
I sure have and that is why I don't allow it for the 11 year old and thankfully the 13 year old doesn't care to see it. For one, it's called "Adult Swim" the name clearly tells you it's not appropriate for kids! I don't know that every episode is bad, but if just one is then that's enough for me to say no. I've heard some vulgar talk on Adult Swim and I've heard particular things that I felt degraded women. The last thing I want is for the kids to think of women as disposable objects.

The good thing is, even the 11 year old is all for female empowerment and is very respectful to women and all people in general. That's my goal and my job.
10/07/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by Redboxbaby
This exactly!

My son is 16 and just this year we have loosened our reins on the TV shows he watches. At some point, we have to give him the freedom to be able to make good choices. I know he hears and sees much worse at school. There are ... more
That sounds awesome! I agree with how you handled the whole thing and it sounds like it was a great way to go. He's now making the right choices. That's rewarding!
10/07/2011
Contributor: carenautilus carenautilus
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
It depends on the child. Some children can handle, understand and not be effected by sexual humor as young as 10, others aren't ready until their mid teens.

There are only a few things I won't let my 11 year old watch; Slasher movies, ... more
I agree, it depends on the child. For some children, in some contexts, these kinds of shows could open up a dialogue. One thing my mother did with me that I think did me a lot of good: We would watch a TV show she thought was problematic, and afterwards we would talk about why it bothered her. She would ask me what I thought about what I saw, and how it made me feel. I think it helped me become a more thoughtful person. That's my two cents.
10/07/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by Owl Identified
No. I don't even think most adults should have to be subjected to the racist jokes (Family Guy, Robot Chicken, etcetc), jokes about disability (Family Guy, Robot Chicken, etcetc), sexist jokes (Family Guy, Robot Chicken, etcetc), rape jokes ... more
I absolutely agree with that. Those reasons you mentioned are exactly why I don't like the types of shows. It's really kind of yucky to hear those things.
10/07/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
Safe? It's not likely to kill them.

I have to ask, you talk about a 13 year old a lot. Do you HAVE a 13 year old? I would imagine that you probably don't since you state your age as 21, but you could be fostering or adopting, so I ... more
Actually I AM the guardian and also of an 11 year old. Being a mother does not only have to do with giving birth. If you have raised a child then you are considered the guardian so I DO HAVE to make the decisions. I'm making my OWN decisions as a guardian, not another parents.

Why must you HAVE to give birth to have the right to raise and care for a child and that includes making decisions for the child.

And actually when you take in a child whether it's one you've given birth to or one you've raised since they were born, safety measures are always made clear and if I recall correctly those safety measures included how we monitor the children's TV, computer, gaming,etc. To allow an underage child to watch certain things is damaging and in some states considered a type of abuse. It's hard as heck to be a young parent and one who's actually looked at as a parent. Most jump to conclusions that you CAN'T POSSIBLY be a parent, you must just babysit, that's all.

So, to clear that up, I was NOT pushing my views of "right" on any parent, but myself. You clearly jumped to conclusions and got very upset about something, what I do not know.
10/07/2011
Contributor: hyacinthgirl hyacinthgirl
I just looked up their schedule and found out that Adult Swim is no longer showing any anime. That's a bit disappointing, because they showed some very good stuff when it first came on, that wasn't quite appropriate for younger kids, but rarely explicit. Like Cowboy Bebop is an adult show, but the violence is very stylized and the small amount of sex is usually implied (sometime there will be a still frame of a couple in bed together, with nothing showing). Or Full Metal Alchemist - which would be a great show for young teens if it didn't get more and more tragic as it went on (attempted genocide, an implication that a particular girl with a baby was raped by soldiers off-screen, a parent murdering his child, and the concepts of human sacrifice and unforgivable sins).
10/07/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by hyacinthgirl
I just looked up their schedule and found out that Adult Swim is no longer showing any anime. That's a bit disappointing, because they showed some very good stuff when it first came on, that wasn't quite appropriate for younger kids, but ... more
Oh my goodness! A baby being raped?! Yikes! Even I don't think I could handle seeing that. Lol. I'm a weenie when it comes to those things. lol
10/08/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
I agree. I don't watch much TV, but some of it I've happened across and been pretty shocked. I don't care for the violence or sex. I don't blame you for turning the tv off when it turned into "sex = love" I would've done ... more
The comedian was just... raw. Like I said, I probably would have watched it if I was only with My Man or alone, but he wasn't presenting sex the way I'd like an 11 year old girl to understand it.

I try to let my children know that in many cases sex and love are interwoven, but that sex and romantic love are for adults. I know I can't control what they do when they get older, I have adult children and of course, they chose when to have sex and whom to have it with.

But, with younger children, in addition to still protecting them from things that may be harmful (and the interpretation of that will vary) one also needs to realize they will be exposed to lots of things one, as a parent would not have chosen for them to be exposed to. That's where "Teachable Moments" and good discussion between child and adult come in.

Good luck with your decisions. I think they should be made on a "one kid at a time" and "one show at a time" basis, myself. But, your mileage may vary.
10/08/2011
Contributor: JGrey JGrey
I watch this channel myself and enjoy it very much, but i would not let children under 18 to watch it.
10/27/2011
Contributor: hyacinthgirl hyacinthgirl
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
Oh my goodness! A baby being raped?! Yikes! Even I don't think I could handle seeing that. Lol. I'm a weenie when it comes to those things. lol
The baby wasn't raped - it was conceived because of rape. The young woman, Rose, was in the first episode without a baby, then shows up near the end of the series, after the military had invaded her country, with a newborn baby and an inability to speak explained as a result of trauma. So they don't come right out and say she was raped by the soldiers, but the implication is very, very strong. It's an excellent series, but despite all the comedy and fun, it has some really, really dark themes at it's core.

If you're interested in anime for an 11-year-old, I'd suggest a comedy like 'Ranma 1/2'. The boxes list Ranma 1/2 as a sex comedy, which it is in that physical sex makes for a lot of the comedy... and there are occasional naked breasts (the plot is that a boy has been cursed to change into a girl when splashed with cold water, then back when splashed with hot. His father, cursed to take the form of a panda, arranged a marriage to an old friend's daughter without Ranma's consent, and there's a lot of commentary on male/female relationships in modern Japan... mixed in with a huge amount of martial arts slapstick.) They probably wouldn't air it on Adult Swim because of the breasts, or because there's one old pervert character who steals women's underwear, but it's funny and does not rely on shock value for gags.
10/27/2011
Contributor: oldman oldman
SpongeBob, a children's cartoon is more violent than many of the Adult Swim cartoons.
10/27/2011
Contributor: emilia emilia
I do not really care what the kids watch on tv
10/28/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by oldman
SpongeBob, a children's cartoon is more violent than many of the Adult Swim cartoons.
Spongebob's violent? I don't watch spongebob and neither do the kids, but I have seen it and Adult Swim is MUCH worse. Spongebob doesn't cuss or talk about dead fetuses falling out in the toilet and such terrible things.
11/05/2011
Contributor: LavenderSkies LavenderSkies
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
What are/would your rules on this matter be? Would/do you allow yours to watch these types of programs? I'd love to hear your opinions... I kind of need a little advice
I would not let them until 16 at the youngest.
11/07/2011
Contributor: Zinzai Zinzai
It depends on the show and the maturity of the child, but for the most part I'd allow it.
12/09/2011
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
What are/would your rules on this matter be? Would/do you allow yours to watch these types of programs? I'd love to hear your opinions... I kind of need a little advice
If they are watching it with a responsible adult (who has questionable taste in viewing...this is an ongoing argument in our home too LOL) who opens the floor for discussion on the things viewed then I don't have a problem with my 13 and 15 year old watching these shows. Given that the only people we allow this freedom to are the three of us (Sigel, Arch and myself) there is a consensus on what we deem appropriate viewing matter. The upshot is we have had many interesting and informative discussion following a questionable or (to my mind) completely horrible episode of this genre show.
12/11/2011
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
Actually I AM the guardian and also of an 11 year old. Being a mother does not only have to do with giving birth. If you have raised a child then you are considered the guardian so I DO HAVE to make the decisions. I'm making my OWN decisions as a ... more
Kudos to you for taking on that enormous responsibility! You're right that people do make assumptions about the age and possible relationship to the child of a caregiver. I, for instance, was 26 when I had my first child but was treated like a teenager even though I was in my middle 30s when people started interacting with me and my then toddlers. Now I am treated like my oldest is my sister because my son is 2 and she is 15...I am constantly having to tell people I am 41 not 20 something. It is irritating when people start forcing their views on me when I am correcting or just TALKING to my daughter as though I am a sitter or her friend! So I know your frustration. Also, you are feeling the frustration of every parent who is told how wrong their ideas of child rearing are...it makes your blood boil to hear yet again that your precious child is going straight to hell because you let them do....whatever is the current subject.

Regardless of your relationship to the child, however, if you are entrusted with their day to day care or if it's just an overnight stay, YOU are the one who is responsible for their health and well being. YOU have to make these decisions, sometimes regardless of the parent's stated wishes. For goodness sake I wasn't allowed to wath the daytime soap General Hospital in my Aunt's home because she objected to my being an impressionable teen and watching clearly silly romanticized situations that could be quite damaging to an impressionable teenage mind. My mother was ok with it but it wasn't HER house, so I was taught that you respect the house rules of the person you are with. My Mom kept aware of what was going on and would object when she felt necessary but for goodness sake we are talking about a television program! If you don't want your young'uns to see them then say no...or watch it with them so that you can take the opportunity to reinforce your beliefs and discuss with them appropriate behavior.
To be honest I really cannot stand those shows, it is a personal choice of mine not to watch them. Sigel and Arch, however, don't mind so they tend to take over the role of supervisor on those nights the girls are interested in watching. Obviously you have good judgement and have proven you have the kid's best interest at heart so trust your instincts and be the adult...they will thank you for caring enough to be a pain in the ass later and who cares what other people's hangups are?
12/11/2011
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by oldman
SpongeBob, a children's cartoon is more violent than many of the Adult Swim cartoons.
I have to respectfully disagree. I watch SpongeBob and have from the beginning and while it may show weird and odd violence it is obviously cartoon violence and even my 2 yr. old knows the difference. They are surprisingly moral shows and while fun do teach the importance of some pretty good ideals as well as showing the folly of being grumpy and money grubbing. I have yet to see a redeeming value in Adult Swim though I admit I haven't watched many episodes and have found a few to be quite amusing. There's a BIG difference in the two show concepts.
12/11/2011
Contributor: kittychilla kittychilla
i dunno. my uncle lets his children (6 and 7) watch adult swim and i sometimes feel he shouldn't. sometimes the shows just have inappropriate moments that children shouldn't be able to watch.

i mean, maybe..some of the more tamer shows? i guess..like king of the hill ain't too bad. nor is squidbillies (okay, maybe the language isn't great..but they don't show too many adult situations like family guy) ...maybe ATHF.

or the anime..the animes aren't bad at all. that's what i first started watching when adult swim was first around.
12/11/2011
Contributor: PersonalAngel PersonalAngel
this is such a debate because half of me is like yeah sure why not but then Im like hmm what if they arent mature enough and take everything serious.
12/12/2011
Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
I don't have kids but if I did, I wouldn't let them watch adult programs until they're at least 16, possibly older. Kids are impressionable and do stupid things they saw on TV, movies, etc. and then the parents blame the shows, movies, etc. instead of themselves, as they should, for letting them watch something not meant for their age.
12/23/2011
Contributor: alistair alistair
I would allow my child to watch adult swim but if there was a specific show I didn't want them to see I would encourage them to not watch it; I was allowed to watch certain horror films as a kid that didn't have sex scenes in them and I don't think it effected me in a negative way. However if my child was thirteen I would allow them to make the decision for themselves but if effected my child negatively then I would put a stop to it.
01/07/2012