Would you allow your children to watch...?

Question

Band of Brothers?

I think it's pretty accurate as far as history goes and an amazing piece of work. Probably the best I've ever seen.

Would you let your children watch it? I let my son (he was 9 when I bought it) watch them with me and he is in awe. I think it's an incredible lesson for kids. Especially those who don't know any better. I've seen so much glorification of war that I feel it was important for my son to see that truth. My son has a good solid head on his shoulders though and can handle things like this. He's learned more then I could ever imagine having learned about war at his age.

What do you guys think?

Photoenhance, my son has already seen it, with me of course. He LOVES it as much as I do and we do talk about it, good part and bad.

We also send care packages overseas to our soldiers and my son has a greater interest (and a greater respect) now that he has seen Band of Brothers.

Actually Momofhaybear, I would allow my son to watch this type of action on a street corner. I am in training to be a police officer. I believe that what kids don't know WILL hurt them. I want my son, who is now 11, to understand the reality of a situation like that.

Maybe your son isn't mentally mature enough, but mine is.

Answer 1

I think this is a fine rope. I would say sure, but my wife (a marriage, family, and development major) would say no. Her reasoning is based off of studies that show that viewing of violence is often reinacted by young adolescents. A child's brain lacks certain skills to process violence, even if it is trying to show the affects of war. They may very well take it differently. The higher reasoning skills required do not start to take effect until the late Jr. High years. Because of these reasons I would just explain war realities to a child instead of having them watch them. Plus, a movie will be just as false/true as a newscast, paper, cartoon, etc. they are still not getting the real picture, the picture that a parent can give them by explanation.

Answer 2

It depends very much on the individual child, I suppose. It is a great series about the realities of war (some kids really do need to learn that war isn't fun and games), what the soldiers of the past did to secure our freedom and an excellent visual take on WWII that nicely compliments what's been learnt in school. That said, there are some sensitive children who might be too immature to watch it until they are at least in their teens.

But if your son was able to watch it at the age of nine without any problems then why shouldn't he? You're the one who knows him best in terms of what he can handle. Equally, you might get another nine-year-old who would be better to watch it when they are slightly older so they can better appreciate the material the show deals with.

Answer 3

As the mother of a 9 year old son, as well as a regular viewer (along with DH) of Band of Brothers-I say absolutely not. The graphic nature of the deaths and the injuries isn't minimized simply because the scenes are viewed in historical context. Think about it this way-would you let him view that live action on a street corner for education regarding personal confrontation as the result of conflict? I don't think so. War is a highly abstract concept that even the most gifted 9 year old will have a difficult time grasping. I think you are totally wrong on this one. Find a buddy your own age to view with.

Answer 4

I just asked my husband this question (he was in the army-in Iraq for over a year, and in the marines now-in Iraq for 7 months and going back again in July) He said absolutely! It teaches leadership and is very historically accurate (he said the producers or whoever sat down a group of vets from WWII and asked them all the details from their tour) and doesn't glorify war-like Pearl Harbor and those type of movies. Even though it's rated R he said it's still a good series. This is all coming from him as I still don't have the guts to watch it until he's finally done with Iraq. If you let your kid watch it I think you should sit down and watch it with him and talk about it afterwards, answer any, yes I mean any, questions he may have. I hope this is a good enough answer :)

Answer 5

On this occasion I think I would concur with you. Eastenders portrays a really vile lowest common denominator model of life. Is this how BBC execs see the lives of Brits? More interestingly, I was brought up in the East End and am a genuine cockney. The real cockney people were not a bunch of Psychopathic depressives like you get on Eastenders, they were a cheerful, resilient people. And another,thing, if you call a programme Eastenders at least make it realistic. For my part of the East End in 2012 that would mean the majority of the cast being of Bengali origin !!

Answer 6

I think a 9 yr old is too young for this. My sons have an uncle overseas and although we talk about what he is doing over there (fighting the bad guys), they don't need to be exposed to seeing it visually at this age. Let them be kids. If you want leadership, join the Boy Scouts or a sports team. Or let them see YOU being the leader and making good judgment calls for them. They don't need extra role models, just good ones.

Answer 7

My husband and I watched it with our 8 year old daughter before he deployed to Iraq. She loved it and it helped her to better understand things. On behalf of the soldiers I know that are over there Thank you for sending care packages it really does mean alot to all of them.

Answer 8

Sure, with parents present to answer questions. I wouldn't allow it for children who are not in school yet, but at 9 years old I would.

Answer 9

yes i think so its a good way to learn history and spend time with your son. way to go

Answer 10

I would talk to him before and then we could watch it together. That ensures that if he has any questions, I'll be there to answer them.