I have not taken my kids to see this, but my friend posted a warning on his FB page that it refers to homosexuality. Apparently, a girl is looking for someone to go to the movies and a boy comes out of the closet and says something like, "you should go with my boyfriend, he loves girl movies". I confirmed this on commonsensemedia.org.
How do you feel about this subject being directed to kids? (FYI, commonsensemedia.org does say its too scary for younger kids and should be directed to "older tweens and middle schoolers')
I just asked a simple question and some of you are "assuming" my feelings on the subject, which I did not share. My kids are 12 and 9 and we have gay friends, they are not "sheltered" from the real world, trust me on that. Thanks to those of you who replied, I just was asking for opinions, which I got. =)
This is copied from commonsensemedia.org:
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that ParaNorman is, above all else, a monster movie, and it will scare little kids. It's animated (stop-motion), but it's full of ghosts, corpses, zombies, and witches and is aimed toward older kids and teens. There are chases, "jump" scenes, characters in peril, frightful zombies with body parts flapping and falling off, creepy houses with looming shadows (and, in the 3-D version, a swarm of bugs bursting out of a teddy bear straight at you), an angry mob with weapons, and much more. The language (lots of insults directed at Norman) and teen hormones (overt flirting and discussion of how "hot" a couple of teen characters are, as well as flashes of cleavage and a broad shirtless chest) are also more mature than in most animated movies for the younger set. There are also hurtful conflicts between parents and kids, some bullying takes place, and a character is revealed to be gay in a very low-key way. While it has themes about tolerance and teamwork and could be a great pick for brave older tweens and middle-schoolers, this cool frightfest is very likely to be too much for younger moviegoers to handle.
I've discussed homosexuality briefly with my 2 and 4 year old. Some people have girlfriends of the same sex, etc. other's don't.
It is 2012. This should be a non-issue.
pfffft. if there's any romance at all in a horror movie, it's generally incidental. who cares if it's between boys and girls or boys and boys?
the horror should be the issue, not a minor mention of a gay theme.
khairete
S.
To be honest, it would probably make me want to take my kids to this movie. I want my kids to be exposed to different families/ways of living!
Eeeek - there's gay people in the world! They want to take over my mind and turn me gay if they should be recognized as fellow human beings!
Seriously, I think it's fine - they even state it's directed to "older tweens and middle schoolers".
Homosexuality is not trendy! It isn't a new jacket style or hair style. Gays and lesbians are real and part of our everyday life. That is why it is normal to see gay people, who are normal people, in the movies.
Does not bother me in the least :)
It's not a subject being "directed to kids."
Gay people are a part of our society, they are friends, family members, co workers and neighbors. Get used to it, and get over it.
Also, Pixar movies in general are written at an older, more mature level. I don't understand why so many people automatically feel that if it's animated it's meant for young children. Don't people watch the the trailers and use their own common sense?
How do I feel about what? Were you referring to the fact that a fictional character made a slight reference to his relationship status, or the fact that your friend felt the need to put up a warning on facebook to make sure that no one be subjected to the horrors of such things?
Seriously. I doubt most people would even notice, because it's that dumb that this is even an issue.
BTW, it doesn't really sound like the character was "in the closet" to begin with. People don't generally come out of the closet by saying "you should hang out with my boyfriend". Just because you don't know someone is gay, fictional or not, does not mean they are "in the closet"
Yes, yes, hide your kids from anything bad or that you don't agree with - great preparation for real life. And we wonder why kids are so helpless, and clueless. Funny to me, how being gay is right up there with violence & sexual content, as far as "bad" things that you hide from your kids.
Looks like the movie actually has a good message for older kids. My 6 year old isn't interested, as it's geared towards older kids, anyway. Almost EVERY kids movie has some sort of dark, evil, or negative element. And for me, that's okay.
Just because some people don't approve of being gay, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist & doesn't mean that our kids shouldn't learn about it.
ETA - my post was general, not directed at anyone, in particular.
I wouldn't take them because it's scary, not because there are gay characters. Couldn't care less about that. We have friends who are gay. They come to our house, they come to our parties. Meh. Not a big deal. IN FACT...a boy, 19, recently came out to his mama (my friend) and he has been our babysitter the past couple of years. Whatever. He's gay. Not a child molester, rapist, or murderer.
L.
I would take my 6 year old to see it but he's more interested in Seeing Expendables 2...i don't care if there's refers to gays,in movies who cares! If you don't like it don't take your kids. My son knows many gay couples and LOVES them as family. I would never teach my child to grow up hating anyone.
Wouldn't bother me. My child grew up around my gay/lesbian friends and family members.
I think kids need to know about real life (gay people exist), so no, it wouldn't bother me.
I don't see the problem, I guess.
To answer your question........ I feel this subject is no big deal for any age child. You were asking about the reference to homosexuality. For me..... there is nothing to shelter my children from in that. Some couples are the same sex. End of story.
Who cares? We have many gay friends in real life so something like that is nothing to worry about in my opinion. We had the "Why does ____ have 2 mommies?" conversation when my oldest was 4 or 5. Mostly he only cared that his friend had a huge Lego collection. This kind of offhand comment is only a big thing when adults make a big deal about it. Most kids will ignore it or not notice. If it registers and they ask you a question then answer it and consider it a teachable moment. Kids ask the difficult questions sooner or later anyway.
BTW, Ms. gave this a good review but I'm not taking my preschooler since it is for older kids.
For heaven's sakes. My 8 year old son knows that his Uncle has a boyfriend. He's well aware that people love who they love, and it doesn't matter if it's boys having boyfriends, or girls having girl friends.
IF the movie is scary, then obviously you wouldn't want to take the 9 year old to see it. If it is rated pg-13, then you can certainly determine whether your 12 year old should watch it.
However, to answer you question on the " subject" of homosexuality being directed to kids. The above statement of " you should go with my boyfriend, he loves girl movies" is an innocent statement. I don't see it as inappropriate. To having a " warning" label on that is just plain ridiculous!
I usually don't take or let my kids see the "trash" movies anyway...so it won't be a prob LOL!!!
This is just a moral issue in my opinion. On mamapedia, about half the moms on here have no problem with our children seeing, being open to, and accepting homosexuality. The other half will not allow their children to see the movie just because of the homosexuality. I prefer to agree to disagree with about half the people on this site on the subject. Ha!
As for TV - Greys Anatomy, Modern Family, and two new shows Partners and The New Normal all feature gay couples. So beware, or enjoy - whichever side you are on!
I've never heard of ParaNorman, but don't plan on seeing it. My 4 yr old enjoys superhero movies here at home just fine.
I would see a problem with it and all the shows mentioned below. I wouldn't allow my kids to see it.
Doesn't bother me at all.
This wouldn't bother m for my 11 and 12 year olds. If my kids were younger I would have a problem with the sight of cleavage and such a lot more than the idea of homosexuality.
Animated doesn't mean it's a kids movie anymore. This is a PG movie so it's really not directed at younger kids. PG is 9+ (tweens and middleschoolers as you say) We probably won't see it, not because of the one line in the movie you refer to but because of the violence and I read that the main characters belittle each other, calling each other names. I'm just not into that and fortunately my daughter isn't either.
if you didn't think twice and don't care about the reference, why would you post the question? you knew going in what the answers would be like. that's what they call trolling - asking obviously inflammatory questions just to get a big reaction. i know you're not a troll but this is a very "trollish" question you've asked. then to act all innocently shocked that people would lash out...tsk tsk.
it's not a movie for small kids, as you noted. no way would i take my 5 year old to it. but even my 5 year old knows that some men marry men, etc. it's truly no big deal. surely the older kids this movie is geared towards have figured out that gay people exist in this world. keeping it out of movies and media won't make it go away. so i guess i'm missing the point of the question. which brings me back to the "T" word......
actually i'm a little embarrassed that i even took the time to answer this question. ugh. bad me!
My daughter's preschool teacher was gay so I wouldn't think twice. Scary, not seeing it.
Not a problem for me. My kids know gay people, we belong to a church that supports gay rights, and I hope my kids have learned to accept gay people as normal, just different. As for the "out of the closet" joke, they probably just wouldn't get it. My kids are seven and ten, and they both love scary movies.
Doesn't bother me... it instantly reminded me of the movie "Clueless", with Alicia Silverstone. The guy she wanted to date because the other guy wasn't interested ended up being one of her best "girlfriends".
I don't know anything about this movie and won't be going to see it (my kids are older and I don't have to go see movies I'm not interested anymore LOL!) But what you are talking about doesn't bother me.
Dawn
I think the subjest is fine for all kids. I would be worred it might be to scary for younger ones. When mine were little they would scare very easy. Good luck!
"Commonsense" says younger children, but then refers to middle schools seeing this movie. I think as a 4th grader, probably even a 3rd grader,. our daughter would have been fine.
She is the one at the age of 4 told me that "it is just TV, it is not real".. And also Mom, the TV cannot hear you, it is just TV.".
So I think children can have way more common sense and understand what is going on.. way before their parents think they can handle it.
It is up to the parent to decide if they have a problem with their own children seeing it.
You have to ask yourself how you would feel if you were at lunch and a girl is looking for someone to go to the movies and a boy comes out of the closet and says something like, "You should go with my boyfriend, he loves girl movies".
In my view, this is not the brow raiser for little kids, but the corpses and zombies are.
Asking someone to the movies is not such a big deal. I don't care for my young one to see movies that are too sexual no matter the sexual preference.
I'm confused lol
I'm not seeing how that references homosexuality? Maybe in the context of the movie I would.
I thinks it's about knowing your child and what they, and you, would be comfortable. I know that my younger two, 2 and 5, would be fine with it. So would my older, so I personally wouldn't have a problem.
EDIT.....I thought it said girl and not boy comes out of the closet. Never mind, brain fart lol
its not going to scar them.... look at disney movies! the girls are like 15-17 getting married! theres death and violence. i dont think its a big issue for a movie to mention a person being gay. i think its more to look at it as tolerance. not to really start a debate. most kids i think that will watch the movie wont even pay attention to the comment made.
plus i would rather hear that in a movie cartoon then seeing a bully in them. i think movies should take out any bullies out of movies since bulling is more of an issue.
