Game of Thrones (advice needed)

[lone wolf]

I must confess that I have never watched it. Quite a few guys at work do, and love it. Here is my issue. My partner's son came to visit for spring break, and brought Season 1 Game of Thrones to watch ~ problem is that he only turned 14 last week. I am adamant that there are situations, language and content that are totally unsuitable for someone his age. As far as I am concerned, he is not going to watch it in my house. Mom on the other hand could care less.


From watchers of the show, and who are parents, am I over-reacting ? Any advice or suggestions.

[brownbomber]

14 hard to say but it's violent and sexual
My kids aren't that old yet, but I'm sure he's seen it before.

[Buckhead]

At 14 he's probably seen and heard quite a lot already.

However, really not appropriate viewing for someone that age.

If his parents want to let him watch it at [B]their house[B] that is fine.

My house, my rules.

[dty]

18 is questionable. Definitely not for a 14 year old.

[BeeGuy]

Better you watch it with him, given the alternative.

Every kid with internet and a smart phone has likely seen far more exotic material by 14.

She's not that hot anyways.

[Mickey]

Pretty sure if they have access to the internet they have seen and heard alot worse.

There is some nudity and some violence.

That is all.

Walking dead is probably alot worse for shock factor.

[BeeGuy]

14 is highschool age.

Highschool kids have sex, do drugs etc etc

Making the show taboo is not going to work in your favour.

18 questionable??????

Bahahahahaha:sHa_sarcasticlol:

[Sundancefisher]

cinematography is great. Acting exceptional. Storyline from the books is superb albiet with some holes they are correcting as they go in the movie.

There is violence although not near as graphic as Walking Dead.

There is nudity and suggestive sexuality...for the most part fleeting. Definitely would feel awkward with a 14 year old in the room so my gut tells me that is too young. Mentally mature 16 year old ok. 18 of course.

IMHO

[brownbomber]

14 is highschool age.

Highschool kids have sex, do drugs etc etc

Making the show taboo is not going to work in your favour.

18 questionable??????

Bahahahahaha:sHa_sarcasticlol:

Yeah by 18 nearly 20 years ago for me I wasn't very innocent at all by then. Drink drugs sex around 16 I guess, certainly knew all about it at 14 and I was a rural religious family

[Redfrog]

14 is highschool age.

Highschool kids have sex, do drugs etc etc

Making the show taboo is not going to work in your favour.

18 questionable??????

Bahahahahaha:sHa_sarcasticlol:

I'm with Beeguy on this . All kids do drugs, have sex etc.etc. so why bother having any rules or boundaries. I mean it's not like they have to follow any structure in the real world. The younger they get started, the better. Soon they won't need parents at all.

[Mekanik]

Honestly, it's up to you. It's an adult show and nothing that, by 14, he likely hasn't seen already. Still doesn't mean he should get carte Blanche to watch, however, if you feel it's inappropriate for his age.

Excellent show otherwise and be very warned, if you choose to watch it with him, I suspect season two will come very quickly to your house.

[rugatika]

I'm with Beeguy on this . All kids do drugs, have sex etc.etc. so why bother having any rules or boundaries. I mean it's not like they have to follow any structure in the real world. The younger they get started, the better. Soon they won't need parents at all.

Bingo. Better to be a kids friend than act like a parent. Look at it as a good chance to do some bonding. Grab a couple cases of beer and some tequila. Every time something R rated comes on, you each have to do a couple shots of tequila chased by a beer. First person to puke has to buy season two. I'm sure mommy will be OK with that.

It's been pretty well established as scientific fact by leading climatologists the world over that children without boundaries excel in all endeavours they undertake. Boundaries and discipline stifle a child and they tend to be forced into top ranked universities, high paying jobs, etc rather than an enjoyable life of leisure on welfare.

[CheeseBurger]

I'm with BeeGuy on this one. Kids have access to the internet and their imagination is the only limit as to what they can find out there.

[brownbomber]

Yeah it's tough in today's world to raise a kid as we were. So much exposure and availability of mature stuff. Not saying it's right, just reality. A 1930's born kid was shocked by what they had to raise their kids born in the 50's or early 60's. The times are always changing. Even in bodo

[Nester]

Watch it with you or without you.......I'm sure he will watch it sooner than later.


Season 1 is rather tame, Season 2 has one episode with lots of nice sex in it :sHa_shakeshout:

[Wild&Free]

sex and the human body are not things to be ashamed or sheltered from. it can lead to some difficult social and relationship issues.

plus would you rather them learn about this sort of stuff from strangers and he internet or from you?

[Lefty-Canuck]

We have a 15yr old boy and he cannot watch it....nor does he want to.

The scene where the prostitute is naked and dead and pinned to the bed with a bunch of xbow bolts while Geoffry smirks....is enough to disallow it from the kids.

LC

[rugatika]

Yeah it's tough in today's world to raise a kid as we were. So much exposure and availability of mature stuff. Not saying it's right, just reality. A 1930's born kid was shocked by what they had to raise their kids born in the 50's or early 60's. The times are always changing. Even in bodo

I agree with you 100%, but I really do believe, (and I'm not a parent so everyone feel free to blast me...lol) that kids do appreciate having boundaries, as much as they complain about them and test them. I look at so many kids that were pretty much allowed to do as they please compared to kids that were raised with boundaries and discipline and I see a world of difference generally speaking, WITH some exceptions to the rule of course.

I seriously doubt that the single act of watching Game of Thrones is going to have any significant impact one way or another on the kid, but the cumulative toll of doing as he pleases might.


Oh, and I've never seen the show, but I might have to start watching it...sounds good.

[BeeGuy]

Obviously some people prefer to keep their heads buried in the sand.

Better to parent, than to say no.

Cause they will anyways, either with your guidance or without it.

They can download the series onto their smart phone or ipod or tablet or other device and watch it with a pair of earphones while you chauffeur them to hockey, dance, whatever.

Saying no is more an admission of your unwillingness to acknowledge and approach the issue than it is somehow meant to save them.

Imo a good father would give their 14 yo son a few talks, a Playboy on the sly, and keep tabs on their internet history.

Watch it with him and give him a beer.

[BeeGuy]

We have a 15yr old boy and he cannot watch it....nor does he want to.

The scene where the prostitute is naked and dead and pinned to the bed with a bunch of xbow bolts while Geoffry smirks....is enough to disallow it from the kids.

LC

I was trying to think of the most graphic scene and that was the one that came to mind.

[jungleboy]

I must confess that I have never watched it. Quite a few guys at work do, and love it. Here is my issue. My partner's son came to visit for spring break, and brought Season 1 Game of Thrones to watch ~ problem is that he only turned 14 last week. I am adamant that there are situations, language and content that are totally unsuitable for someone his age. As far as I am concerned, he is not going to watch it in my house. Mom on the other hand could care less.


From watchers of the show, and who are parents, am I over-reacting ? Any advice or suggestions.


He could probably sit you down and teach you a few things about sex and violence on the screen . His mom is ok with it and from what I gather you're not his dad (hate to tell you this but when push comes to shove you never will be and he and she will make sure you know it) Let him watch it , watch it with him and her and leave it at that . Not a hill to die on

[Wild&Free]

I agree with you 100%, but I really do believe, (and I'm not a parent so everyone feel free to blast me...lol) that kids do appreciate having boundaries, as much as they complain about them and test them. I look at so many kids that were pretty much allowed to do as they please compared to kids that were raised with boundaries and discipline and I see a world of difference generally speaking, WITH some exceptions to the rule of course.

I seriously doubt that the single act of watching Game of Thrones is going to have any significant impact one way or another on the kid, but the cumulative toll of doing as he pleases might.


Oh, and I've never seen the show, but I might have to start watching it...sounds good.

Boundaries work best when they are unseen and the desire to push them is met with controlled extension of them I believe.

if he really wants to see it, I'd suggest keeping him ddistracted for the first two episodes as the nudity falls off after that. the violence isn't harsh or gory for the most part, just don't fall for any character, Martin has a penchant for killing off main characters which both opens and closes the various storylines.

people mature at different rates and holding a child back from maturing serves no one but the parents ego and vanity in my opinion.

[Okotokian]

I'd pick your battles. Your house but you are not his parent. You want to have a positive relationship with him. So sit down and watch it with him. If/when it gets to a part you find inapporopriate, just say "I feel uncomfortable watching this with you. Mind if I fast foward through it?". My wife has done that with our sons plenty of times. You take responsibility for it, but you are still enjoying the show with him. A little bonding instead of a "You aren't my dad!!!!" screaming fight.

[DarkAisling]

I don't censor what my kids watch, read, or listen to. I never have.

While I don't generally watch Game of Thrones when my little guy is up, he has certainly had some exposure to it. He's not really interested in it, though. He's much more interested in the Walking Dead.

[midgetwaiter]

Oh noes, there's boobies!

Before anybody tries to respond with a rebuttal about violence or "adult situations" consider this question; If it were Braveheart or Lord of the Rings would you care?

[Okotokian]

I don't censor what my kids watch, read, or listen to. I never have.


By "never censor" do you mean "never monitor"? So if they are on the internet, you have no idea what sites they go to or who they may communcate with? Never have bothered to check and never will? Just want to make sure I'm not misinterpreting what you mean.

[DarkAisling]

By "never censor" do you mean "never monitor"? So if they are on the internet, you have no idea what sites they go to or who they may communcate with? Never have bothered to check and never will? Just want to make sure I'm not misinterpreting what you mean.

I mean "never censor."

[Okotokian]

I mean "never censor."

Thank you for the lack of clarification.

[DarkAisling]

Thank you for the lack of clarification.

I meant exactly what I wrote. You don't need to go reading anything else into that or letting your imagination run wild.

[Redfrog]

"Imo a good father would give their 14 yo son a few talks, a Playboy on the sly, and keep tabs on their internet history.

Watch it with him and give him a beer."

No surprise there.:thinking-006:

[Big Daddy Badger]

Depends.

Some 14 year olds are challenged sorting reality from fantasy reading Harry Potter others are sofisticated enough to read the classics.
Both of my kids were quite mature and I would have had no problem letting them watch that program at age 14 because they would have seen it as nothing more than a interesting psuedo-period political intrigue.

On the other hand many adults cannot tell the diference between nudity and porn or violence relative to the story and a gore-fest.

[Dr. Phil A]

He could probably sit you down and teach you a few things about sex and violence on the screen . His mom is ok with it and from what I gather you're not his dad (hate to tell you this but when push comes to shove you never will be and he and she will make sure you know it) Let him watch it , watch it with him and her and leave it at that . Not a hill to die on

Totally agree with you. I am in the same situation and have watched the results over the years as the kids got older. Very open communication with them about sex and what is going on in their lives. As Jr. has made to the top end of his teen years our step father/step son conversations are better because I can call a spade a spade.

As for the violence angle of this discussion, I always fall back to this thought. What are these kids counterparts in other areas of the world seeing and doing? Most of the ME teens have seen death and violence up close, being raised to believe that it is the only way to obtain anything, solve situations, and put fear in to those who are somewhat pacifist. So in the end is your kid even aware that this is what is going on and are they prepared to deal with it. This has been the way of the world since its inception and those who think they can soothe the savage will only get so far.

[Skybuster]

Boundaries are a very good thing. How you enforce them is where some people go wrong. I have never watched this show so I don’t know if I would allow a 14 year old to watch it or not. That really is a question each of us will have our own answer to. Some are more liberal than others. I was quite upset at a neighbor that was sitting our two boys, 4 and 6 years old when we went to pick them up and they were watching Beavus and ******** on the TV with the man of the house. We did not ask them to sit for us again.

But a 14 year old has probably seen most of what the Game of Thrones will show him anyway. Heck, some of the commercials are almost there already. Let alone the Xbox games I’m sure he plays. Again I say that not having ever seen the show. I have also laid down boundaries which were only applied at my house. One son was at college and had been sleeping with his girlfriend. They came to visit at Christmas and I told them they would sleep in different rooms in my house. I don’t care what they do elsewhere, but I won’t condone it under my roof. Old fashioned, maybe, but that’s me. Another son, underage, drinks. I know he does and when out at parties I’ve told him to call me if he needs a ride. No judgement. But when he wanted to host a party for his friends I said sure, but no drinking. Not at my house. The liability is way too high.

So we each have to make our own choices in these situations. Would I watch that show with my 14 year old son? Probably not. But as OKO said, pick your battles, set boundaries but stay real.

[Off in the Bushes]

TvMA is the rating on the DVD so not to be view by people under 17.

[Wild&Free]

.TvMA is the rating on the DVD so not recommended to be view by people under 17.

[Redfrog]

It's not about saying no to watching a tv show. It's about trying to instill some values in a young impressionable mind.

In any family it is a constant challenge of boundaries ad extending them. It is much harder in a "Blended" family where " You're not my dad/mom, and you're not the boss of me"

Don't want boundaries? Want to be your kid's buddy. See if you're singing from that song sheet when she comes home pregnant and the dad is nowhere in the picture.

Life is tough when you try to follow the rules. See how tough it is when you think they do not apply to you.

[Stinky Buffalo]

They can download the series onto their smart phone or ipod or tablet or other device and watch it with a pair of earphones while you chauffeur them to hockey, dance, whatever.

Assuming your kids actually have access to those kinds of devices... Surprisingly a lot of kids don't.

Heck, I haven't had a smartphone for very long, but even it can barely cough up a regular web page without spazzing - let alone stream media reliably.

[BeeGuy]

Assuming your kids actually have access to those kinds of devices... Surprisingly a lot of kids don't.

Heck, I haven't had a smartphone for very long, but even it can barely cough up a regular web page without spazzing - let alone stream media reliably.

Well, I guess some people don't have electricity either...

...but I'll stand by my point that most any media is extremely, easily, and freely available to the avg 14yo.

HBO is a 14yo dream come true.

I mean, a naked dragon queen, how can you deny that?

[Tundra Monkey]

Kinda surprised by the responses here. I watch Game of Thrones.

It ain't for a 14 year old imo.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Kinda surprised by the responses here. I watch Game of Thrones.

It ain't for a 14 year old imo.

Agreed....they have their whole lives to watch "adult" content, protect the childhood innocence a little bit....

LC

[Okotokian]

.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Well, I guess some people don't have electricity either...

...but I'll stand by my point that most any media is extremely, easily, and freely available to the avg 14yo.

HBO is a 14yo dream come true.

I mean, a naked dragon queen, how can you deny that?

I sure couldn't.

Now...if she would just return my calls....:sHa_shakeshout:

[midgetwaiter]

Agreed....they have their whole lives to watch "adult" content, protect the childhood innocence a little bit....

LC

I think maybe you're not being very realistic. At 14 I was teaching my buddies how to create encrypted directories on the family computer to hide their porn stashes.

That was more than 20 years ago.

[Lefty-Canuck]

I think maybe you're not being very realistic. At 14 I was teaching my buddies how to create encrypted directories on the family computer to hide their porn stashes.

That was more than 20 years ago.

I don't think the young lad needs to watch a show that depicts a child his same age that murders a prostitute by pinning her naked body to the bed using a xbow, and seems to enjoy it.

Is that unrealistic? That's something I have control over....

I was no angel as a child either but not giving the kids a free for all on material that really isn't suited to their age is part of my parenting strategy, which I am not worried if someone disagrees they can raise their kids however they want.

LC

[brownbomber]

I don't think the young lad needs to watch a show that depicts a child his same age that murders a prostitute by pinning her naked body to the bed using a xbow, and seems to enjoy it.

Is that unrealistic? That's something I have control over....

I was no angel as a child either but not giving the kids a free for all on material that really isn't suited to their age is part of my parenting strategy, which I am not worried if someone disagrees they can raise their kids however they want.

LC

Solid idea, I don't want my kids to end up like I was. I just know it be a struggle in this age of exposure to so much. Limit what you can, do your best to deal with the rest.

[midgetwaiter]

Is that unrealistic? That's something I have control over....


What I'm trying to say is that I doubt you actually have the control you think you do.

[Lefty-Canuck]

What I'm trying to say is that I doubt you actually have the control you think you do.

I am not naive but I can control what goes on when I am around, that's all I can control :)

Believe it or not some kids have no reason to do things behind their parents back and some kids even understand when a program or show isn't for them.

I monitor what happens on the computer and such and we are blessed to have two well mannered respectful kids, all we can ask for really.

LC

[roper1]

Our boys were raised with boundaries which we knew & expected them to test. Which they stretched but rarely really disrespected. They are now mid twenties and are thankful for having rules growing up. They were popular in school but we were not their buddies. We are their parents even now. We camp, fish, hunt, rope & enjoy each others company as adults. They have brains, a work ethic, common sense, & respect for their elders & the fairer sex. We were careful what TV content was available in our home & most of their buddies parents we knew well. A little T & A is very natural as long as it is respectful between consenting adults. Most of the sex I have seen on Game of Thrones I would prefer my kids were older than 14 before they saw it. I think the step-parent thing still hinges on some boundaries that you as the adult know more about sex & relationships that they will learn soon enough. They still owe you respect. Your post on this subject appears like you are trying to do the right thing which is commanding of respect itself.

[brslk]

I wouldn't wanna watch it with a 14 year old boy.

Because when I was 14 I'd be masturbating during half the show.
Lots of nudity and pretty explicit sexuality

:medium-smiley-035:

[TreeGuy]

Perhaps I'm strange. I tend to take 'em outdoors and share it with them.

We have about a dozen kids now in their early 20's that still talk about those adventures and how fond their memories are of them. Strangely enough, not one of them could recall what we watched on tv those weekends.....

[sjemac]

:medium-smiley-035:

That all could be taken and twisted into very many unflattering ways for you. A delete is in order.

[brslk]

That all could be taken and twisted into very many unflattering ways for you. A delete is in order.

It could be taken out of context if your mind works that way.

My point was I doubt any adult male or female would have wanted to watch it with a teenage boy when the nude scenes happen...

No delete or edit forthcoming.

[DiabeticKripple]

sounds like once im done walking dead season 4 im starting game of thrones

[Faststeel]

I must confess that I have never watched it. Quite a few guys at work do, and love it. Here is my issue. My partner's son came to visit for spring break, and brought Season 1 Game of Thrones to watch ~ problem is that he only turned 14 last week. I am adamant that there are situations, language and content that are totally unsuitable for someone his age. As far as I am concerned, he is not going to watch it in my house. Mom on the other hand could care less.


From watchers of the show, and who are parents, am I over-reacting ? Any advice or suggestions.

Sadly you are, now if this were the 60's 70's or 80's perhaps you could be right. If you devoutly religious i could see all that great sex they have getting in the way.
My 13yr old watches plus he has read 4 of the books. FS

[leeaspell]

Assuming your kids actually have access to those kinds of devices... Surprisingly a lot of kids don't.

Heck, I haven't had a smartphone for very long, but even it can barely cough up a regular web page without spazzing - let alone stream media reliably.

I think you need a new phone if it can't even load a webpage. Any decent smart phone can stream video no problem.

[pikergolf]

To the OP, our gut feelings don't steer us wrong to often.

[Faststeel]

cinematography is great. Acting exceptional. Storyline from the books is superb albiet with some holes they are correcting as they go in the movie.

There is violence although not near as graphic as Walking Dead.

There is nudity and suggestive sexuality...for the most part fleeting. Definitely would feel awkward with a 14 year old in the room so my gut tells me that is too young. Mentally mature 16 year old ok. 18 of course.

IMHO

Most every 14 year old boy I know is 14 going on 19 not 9, they are far less child like that when I was 14 , 40 years ago. FS

[Faststeel]

I think you need a new phone if it can't even load a webpage. Any decent smart phone can stream video no problem.

Might be an operator error. Lord knows I'm not that great with my Galaxy

[KCL]

No 14 year old should watch this, violent sex, gay sex, incest, violence period. At fourteen you are pretty impressionable. A kid might watch it with his buddy's, a kid might sneak a beer, a kid might try smoking a joint, a dad should never give it to him or encourage it imo.

[Flanny]

How is a TV show different from reading the books? At 14 I read much more explicit books than Game of Thrones. Besides, He'll just watch it anyway if he really wants to.
Especially if you tell him: "Son, Don't watch this show. It has swords, fighting, war, dragons, and nakedness."

That's like telling YOU not to look at Alberta Outdoorsmen cause you may not like what you see. At least don't look at the fishing section. For your own sake.

In the words of new teen boys, "Ma can't I just do it till I need glasses?"

Flanny

[sns2]

I would never tell parents how to raise their kids unless asked, and indeed I have offered my advice in a pm.

However, to the dads who are in favor of this are you going to be comfortable with watching hard core porn with your son when he is 16? Are you going to be comfortable as his headboard is slapping the wall at two in the morning on a Saturday night as his girlfriend moans like the characters on your fav TV show "Game of Thrones?"

That is a logical continuum is it not? And of course, by law he is old enough for consensual sex.

But fret not, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are a "really cool dad!"

Don't you just love "PROGRESS?"

[nof60]

Tell him he can watch it but first he must read all the books.

[ESOXangler]

Bottom line you're not his dad. He has a mother, and she made a decision. Override her and see where it gets you hahaha! She might not say much this time but it'll come. And the kid will decide your a ***** too! Tough spot bud, I suggest you keep him too busy to watch it! Might end up being a better bonding experience!

I also "think" I would allow my son to watch it as well, but I'm not there yet!

[MadMarty911]

Your house, your rules.

I don't change who I am based on what family is coming over.

It's easy to pass off reasons to let him watch it, ie he plays Grand Theft Auto
But at the end of the day all we have are our convictions. Having met you, I know your a smart gentleman. You'll figure this conundrum out :)

[midgetwaiter]

Tell him he can watch it but first he must read all the books.

If he can get through the last one he's earned it.

[Redfrog]

Perhaps I'm strange. I tend to take 'em outdoors and share it with them.

We have about a dozen kids now in their early 20's that still talk about those adventures and how fond their memories are of them. Strangely enough, not one of them could recall what we watched on tv those weekends.....

You may be on to something here.:) Offer a positive alternative. Sometimes it's about encouraging something better and engaging your kids.
Maybe when you ask your kid to go to the range he'll want to go instead of playing his tech toys.:)

[Stinky Buffalo]

Might be an operator error. Lord knows I'm not that great with my Galaxy

Meh, it's a BlackBerry. What more can I say? :lol:

But yeah, it still stuns me how many people seem to be able to afford data plans and tablets for their kids to play on. But I digress...

Perhaps I'm strange. I tend to take 'em outdoors and share it with them.

Awesome.

[58thecat]

Yep bubble wrap your kids, protect them from that evil t.v. and then when you are not around watch the little bugger turn out to be a hooligan! If your 14,15,18 year old kid sits at the table and says please and thank you, does everything excellent I believe you are being played, how about a little sit down, turn it on, laugh and indirectly put your thoughts out there as this is not the real world and is just a show for entertaining those who choose to watch it. Either way he/she will probably watch it at a buddies house and enjoy a beer or two!

[Faststeel]

I would never tell parents how to raise their kids unless asked, and indeed I have offered my advice in a pm.

However, to the dads who are in favor of this are you going to be comfortable with watching hard core porn with your son when he is 16? Are you going to be comfortable as his headboard is slapping the wall at two in the morning on a Saturday night as his girlfriend moans like the characters on your fav TV show "Game of Thrones?"

That is a logical continuum is it not? And of course, by law he is old enough for consensual sex.

But fret not, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are a "really cool dad!"

Don't you just love "PROGRESS?"

Have you seen the show? I don't see the correlation myself. Didn't you get lucky when you were 16 like the rest of us? FS

[sns2]

Have you seen the show? I don't see the correlation myself. Didn't you get lucky when you were 16 like the rest of us? FS

I want my son to do very little of what I did growing up. Very little.

[FreeLantz]

I want my son to do very little of what I did growing up. Very little.

Isnt that kind of the point? You did stuff that was maybe questionable, and turned out fine I'm guessing. What's to say this boy won't either?

The things I watched and did as a teenager had little result on who I became as an adult. Sure I still drink to much, and carry on a bit but who doesnt? I grew up watching 90210 in the 90s because my mother thought it was the best show on the planet. I have zero inspiration about acting like those buffoons. I think people put to much weight on tv's effect and to little on the brains of kid.

But......honestly Game of Thrones is pretty graphic in parts. And also pretty boring and hard to follow in others. Personally at that age I wouldnt even want to watch it, unless I fast forwarded to the boobies. Id urge him to pursue other interests, gently.

[BeeGuy]

mmmmmm booooooobs

If only there was google when I was 14...

[ESOXangler]

mmmmmm booooooobs

If only there was google when I was 14...

There was altavista and the beginning of webcrawler for me! Nothing like it at 14.4k dial up! Hopefully someone didn't call and bump you off.
Anyone remember what the web was like before they filtered it? Even if you typed in Jesus you'd get porn.

[58thecat]

There was altavista and the beginning of webcrawler for me! Nothing like it at 14.4k dial up! Hopefully someone didn't call and bump you off.
Anyone remember what the web was like before they filtered it? Even if you typed in Jesus you'd get porn.

A stack of stolen magazines out in the back forty was our dial up...:sHa_shakeshout:

[kevinhits]

What age do you guys think is appropiate for kids to watch walking dead?

[Faststeel]

What age do you guys think is appropiate for kids to watch walking dead?

Don't matter what we think, matters what you think. It is a TV show, make believe. FS

[Redfrog]

What age do you guys think is appropiate for kids to watch walking dead?

I think it's more a case of severity of the infraction and how angry I am,rather than age before I'd force a kid ...or anyone else to watch that.:thinking-006:

[Faststeel]

What age do you guys think is appropiate for kids to watch walking dead?

What age is appropriate for kids to play Grand theft Auto all the rest of those EXtreme violent video games.
You can ask this question about any number of subjects but you and your wife are not on the same page it is a complete waste of time. FS

[kevinhits]

All I asked was what age do you think you would allow your kid to watch walking dead? I just want your opinion..... That's all

[roper1]

To the OP, our gut feelings don't steer us wrong to often.

x2

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

It's 'inappropriate', sure, but at 14 I don't know that I'd stop him. The violence is everywhere, and if he's interested in seeing boobs and knows how to work a keyboard...

[Okotokian]

It's 'inappropriate', sure, but at 14 I don't know that I'd stop him. The violence is everywhere, and if he's interested in seeing boobs and knows how to work a keyboard...


It does make some sence on the surface to say, if you let a kid go online without supervision then you might was well let him watch whatever he wants on TV. Why start trying to be a parent now? He's probably seen worse.

But here's the counter... just because a kid is doing something doesn't mean you condone it or allow it in your own house. Your kid may smoke pot or drink under age, but it doesn't mean you allow it in your home. My sons are 23 and 25, and I know neither are virgins, or have been for a long time. But I would never allow them to bring girls home and sleep with them, and they have enough respect to never ask. The girlfriend sleeps in separate bedrooms if she stays here.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

It does make some sence on the surface to say, if you let a kid go online without supervision then you might was well let him watch whatever he wants on TV. Why start trying to be a parent now? He's probably seen worse.

But here's the counter... just because a kid is doing something doesn't mean you condone it or allow it in your own house. Your kid may smoke pot or drink under age, but it doesn't mean you allow it in your home. My sons are 23 and 25, and I know neither are virgins, or have been for a long time. But I would never allow them to bring girls home and sleep with them, and they have enough respect to never ask. The girlfriend sleeps in separate bedrooms if she stays here.

Yup, fair point and I would agree. There is absolutely a difference between realizing that things do go on that are out of your power, and giving consent by giving your permission for those things to happen. But this, to me, isn't an example of 'make the right choice', it's just about exposure and whether the boy is or isn't too young to see that much voilence/nudity/whatever.
That said- there's obviously some common sense there and 'exposed' doesn't equal 'zero barriers'. Probably not reasonable to say that my 2 year old ought to be able to sit and watch Wolf of Wall Street "because surely he has already heard an F-bomb or two dropped by me by accident".

My point was only that at 14, when the boy almost certainly has access to a computer or smart phone- if nudity is the worry, is the OP really sheltering him from anything? Allowing him to watch Game of Thrones doesn't have to be the same as saying "Ok. Bridge crossed. Go ahead and bring some hard core movies into the house now".
Same goes for violence...he can try and limit the kids exposure, but when every video game he plays and every PG-13 action movie of the last decade is full of it, I'm not sure that saying "not in my house" amounts to anything more than burying your head in the sand.

IMO it makes more sense for the OP to ask himself if this (small) battle needs to be fought, being that the kid is already exposed to these things on a daily basis at his own discretion.

[AndersonSkiTeam]

I guess I have different expectations for my kids than many of you have. I think many kids do not want to be drinking, watching porn, and violence at the age of 14. I think that many kids at this age do watch inappropriate things and sometimes by their choice, but most of the 14 year old boys I know are not drinking and not watching porn because more is expected of them. It is not simply thought that all boys do these things so just let them do it. Odds are they will be curious but I hope they choose not to participate regularly in these things. Every parent can make the choice of where to draw the line, and I am sure I am more on the prude end of the spectrum, but don't be scared to expect more from your boys.

[Redfrog]

It sure is easier to not set boundaries....at least at 14. At 22 and up to his ass in gators....mmmm not so much.

[Saltmania]

No it's not appropriate for a 14 year old. Maybe in 2 or 3 years IMO.

The books would be fine. The material might be a bit mature, but at least the act of reading them will improve his mind...the TV series while excellent won't do much for his development I'm afraid.

There is more violence and less sex in the books. Most of the sex scenes in the the HBO series are conjured to bolster subscriptions it seems to me. In the books I don't recall Renly Baratheon ever being directly described as a homosexual let alone getting down with the the Knight of Flowers. Martin only describes that he likes clothes...a lot...

[BeeGuy]

If your boy is old enough to hunt and handle a firearm at 14, they are old enough to see a pair of boobs.

imo

[roper1]

If your boy is old enough to hunt and handle a firearm at 14, they are old enough to see a pair of boobs.

imo

Agree on that one but Game of Thrones is a lot more than a pair of boobs

[Tundra Monkey]

I agree Roper.

All the guys that think this is appropriate for their 14 year old sons.

All good for your 14 your old daughter as well??

[Redfrog]

It's easy to win if you just keep setting the bar lower.:thinking-006:

[TyreeUM]

My decisions on how I raise my own kids are mine and are based on the values I feel are important. Anyone else’s opinions on my moral values or on how I raise my kids are likely irrelevant. I will refuse to go back on what I feel is right just because someone else thinks I am overprotective, not "with the times" or because someone else lets their kids do it. Most importantly, I refuse to back down on what I believe is right because they could just go and do it behind my back anyway, that is absurd.
If you are really on the fence, advice from people you know and respect can be great. Random opinions from strangers on a forum, especially opinions from those on this forum who don’t even have their own kids, are likely a waste of time...

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

I agree Roper.

All the guys that think this is appropriate for their 14 year old sons.

All good for your 14 your old daughter as well??

You betchya.

Every kid is different, and I wouldn't tell a parent how to raise their children- but to any folks here who may have the attitude that practicing leniency towards make believe graphic violence/sexuality means that a person is not doing their job as a parent...give your heads a good, hard shake. Then shake it again.

I have worked in schools and over heard 14-15 year old girls giving each other tips on very, very disturbing sex tactics. Innocent looking, straight-A students- not problem kids with absentee parents. It may or may not be "your" daughter actually involved in the acts, but at the very least you had better believe she's more exposed to those types of conversations than I am as an adult.

Being a hard ass on minor issues is a really fantastic way give yourself a false sense of security and ensure that your kids don't trust you with serious stuff.

Bottom line- there is no blanket right or wrong. Know your kids, where their level of maturity is at, and what they can and can't handle.

[The Fisherman Guy]

We have about a dozen kids now

Looks like you didn't leave the wood with the Trees. Poor Mrs. Tree.

[sns2]

My decisions on how I raise my own kids are mine and are based on the values I feel are important. Anyone else’s opinions on my moral values or on how I raise my kids are likely irrelevant. I will refuse to go back on what I feel is right just because someone else thinks I am overprotective, not "with the times" or because someone else lets their kids do it. Most importantly, I refuse to back down on what I believe is right because they could just go and do it behind my back anyway, that is absurd.
If you are really on the fence, advice from people you know and respect can be great. Random opinions from strangers on a forum, especially opinions from those on this forum who don’t even have their own kids, are likely a waste of time...

Best post on this thread.

[Pixel Shooter]

94 posts later since original op posted, lets leave it on the last note and consider this thread exhausted.......