Thank god...
...my parents didn't think like this back in the early 80's. From a letter to the TU today:
I think that Star Wars is so obviously fantasy that even a 5 year old sees it for what it is. Plus, the archetypes of good and evil are so in-your-face clear that it probably does more to morally center children than it does to encourage them to violent behavior. But idunno, maybe i have no idea what I am talking about. Episode III certainly is the darkest of the six films. And the former hero, who many children might admire, becomes the lead villian. I suppose if Luke had joined the dark side at the end of Return of the Jedi, that could have messed with my head in 1983. But i doubt it.
At any rate, my kids will be watching Star Wars before they are 10, that's for sure.
In the May 19 article, "PG-13 rating raises parents' concerns," Estela Rivero was quoted extensively regarding her plans to take her 10-year-old daughter to see the latest "Star Wars" movie, which is rated PG-13.
It amazes me that a psychologist, the director of the University at Albany's counseling program, would be so willing to expose her child needlessly to the violence and disturbing images that are present in the latest movie of this saga.
All parties are in agreement that this is the darkest of the six "Star Wars" movies as it deals with issues such as death, dismemberment and the metamorphosis of a hero into the very embodiment of evil. What is to be gained by exposing a little girl to this barrage of the senses that is clearly not intended for her?
Sometimes I think this "violence on TV and movies" stuff is a little overblown. I saw Return of the Jedi when I was 5. I had a plastic lightsaber. So did all my friends. We're fine.It amazes me that a psychologist, the director of the University at Albany's counseling program, would be so willing to expose her child needlessly to the violence and disturbing images that are present in the latest movie of this saga.
All parties are in agreement that this is the darkest of the six "Star Wars" movies as it deals with issues such as death, dismemberment and the metamorphosis of a hero into the very embodiment of evil. What is to be gained by exposing a little girl to this barrage of the senses that is clearly not intended for her?
I think that Star Wars is so obviously fantasy that even a 5 year old sees it for what it is. Plus, the archetypes of good and evil are so in-your-face clear that it probably does more to morally center children than it does to encourage them to violent behavior. But idunno, maybe i have no idea what I am talking about. Episode III certainly is the darkest of the six films. And the former hero, who many children might admire, becomes the lead villian. I suppose if Luke had joined the dark side at the end of Return of the Jedi, that could have messed with my head in 1983. But i doubt it.
At any rate, my kids will be watching Star Wars before they are 10, that's for sure.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 at 6:02 AM.
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At 9:53 AM ,As a parent who readily allowed her children to watch and reinact
Star Wars, I have to agree with you, Matt. I think the movies are such obvious fantasy that the issue of exposing kids to violence is tempered. I'm not sure I would take a five year old to the latest version, especially if he identified strongly with Anakin, but certainly most ten year olds could handle the movie.
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