Is it okay for parents to blatantly disregard ratings?

[Hoopybees]

Part of the problem is that while on a case by case basis some kids can handle it, some can't, and some parents are more responsible than others it would be totally impossible to enforce any kind of rules that compensate for all the shades of grey. The only thing that is possible is to pick some blanket law that applies to everyone, whether that be that it's the parent's responsibility or not.

 

[lacktheknack]

A parent should ALWAYS take the rating into consideration, but if they still want to allow their child to see the movie/play the game, they should be able to do so.

 

[squid5580]

Yes it is fine. As long as the parent is informed of the content they will be exposing to their child it is fine.

Why is it ok to tell a child about nailing some guy to some wood? Tell them stories about wolves eating grandmothers? Or about some fat dude who is always watching them or a fairy that sneaks into their bedrooms while they are sleeping, lifts their pillows and takes teeth that this fairy has some use for, and leaves them money? You don't think stuff like this has some sort of impact on their fragile psyches? Jeez movies are probably less scary than some of that. At least it isn't left up to their imagination.

 

[Denamic]

I grew up watching movies like Aliens.
I almost pissed myself at the time.
But it also helped me distinguish between fiction and reality.
After I realized ghosts, monsters, etc., doesn't actually exist, I stopped sleeping with the lights on.
Also helped when the dipshit teacher I had in 3rd and 4th grade held bible reading classes.


Isolation makes you vulnerable.
Exposure breeds immunity.

 

[Corkydog]

Parents have the right to ignore any and all warnings. Their job to be a parent, not the industry's, not the government's.

If a parent deems content appropriate for their child, nothing should be able to stop them from showing it.

 

[Canid117]

No it is not alright to bring your six year old and sit them right behind me at Predators.

 

[Varanfan9]

To be honest yes. All the stuff we say are going to negatively affect our kids are just made taboo by us. Swear words are still just words that we make bad. Same can go for violence and sex. Its stuff we just make bad and convince ourselves will effect our children.

 

[jackknife402]

I think they should definitely pay attention to ratings. When I was a kid, a teen rated game was pixelated james bond shooting pixelated russians that fell down with the same animation, no blood, just unrealistic deaths.

It really pissed me off the other day when I was playing dead space 2, and I heard two(what sounded like 10 year olds because their balls hadn't dropped) kids playing the multiplayer. That game is probably one of the worst, mose grotesque games you can expose to a child, and yet there they were.

Games these days aren't like the ones when I was a kid, when they were barely working past side scrollers. They're full of graphic detail that expose and desensitize children to the most shocking and disgusting of injuries. Letting a 10 year old watch anything...ANYTHING get it's limbs chopped or blown off and it not even phasing them should be taken out back and given a mercy shot to the head.

That is the world we live in today, no morals, no duty to the family, just raise the kid on video games and strippers. That's how it is. And I hate it, I hope something drastic does happen to our civilization soon because it sickens me.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Of course it's okay to disregard them, but you can't complain about it later.

 

[timeadept]

Can i throw this out there that it might be a combination of parents not caring and not being able/ caring to find a baby sitter?

In any case, it's still not ok but theres nothing that can be done about it, not directly anyway.

 

[joshuaayt]

Uncaring/uninformed? Of course not- as guardians, it is their duty to ensure personally that no harmful material reaches their children.

A careful, informed decision, however? That is where we get off the binary answers segment. Some would argue, fairly, that "Harmful" materials are not so at all- and it is their right to do so.

So, I think that, as long as the parent is aware of the content in question, and has thoroughly considered its possible effects on the child, consumption of higher ratings can be acceptable. But I must stress that ignorance is not to be tolerated in these cases.

 

[Godhead]

True, it's the parent's right.

But any parent who actually allows that is either an idiot or they don't care. It doesn't matter how "mature" they think their children are, there's a reason that such movies are restricted - by law - so that kids don't watch 'em.

Plus, I'm sure most of you remember that one kid at school who was all like "My parents let me watch R-rated movies! I'm so much better than you!" And I'm sure you'll remember just how arrogant they were. These are the kind of kids we're talking about here.

Except for the fact that, at least here in America it isn't illegal to be... say 12 and go out and buy Silent Hill 2. The store probably won't let you due to it's policy, but it certainly isn't illegal. Just frowned upon. (Which is why the Supreme Court case about video games got up in humongous flames in these parts due to the whole "free speech" thing.)

OT: Yes it is. But only if the parents are 100% sure that the children will understand it and if the parents go through a talk why they're allowing the child to play it and all that other fun important stuff.

 

[Freethinker101]

Well, after reading most reviews and idea's from everyone, for a parent to blatantly disregard ratings on movies or games, is more of a yes or no opinion. Yes the ESRB ratings are their to show parents the maturity rating for the kid they buy the item for. But this all really depends on the ages, the maturity, and the person in general; personally I've watched a brutal movies of blood and gore, and played halo 2 while I was young, my parents didn't care, and I turned out alright. But those I know who's parents didn't allow them this choice have this hunger for brutal and gory games. But I'm getting ahead of myself, I think parents should watch what they buy for their kids, but also look at how mature they are, and set parameters for the child, so they don't mold their thoughts around the game or movie. Like I said a yes or no opinion.

 

[darkcommanderq]

It depends on the kid.

Indeed.

But I still dont approve of parents bringing youngsters to R movies. At least wait until they WANT to watch the damn movie. I know a 5 year old isnt begging his mom to see the kings speech.

 

[Fuselage]

Depends on if the kid is scared/mature enough.
I watched Nightmare on Elm Street when I was a kid and turned out alright.
(THE BLOOOD, THE BLOOD KILLLLLLLLLLLLLLL)

 

[RogueLament]

No, its that sort of thing thats making everybody hate video games because they think its marketed to children.

 

[mik1]

Me being a small child and all can not buy my own games. My older brother on the other hand can. So when there's a game with question in it my mom asks him. He understands how important these games are to my life style and will usually tell my mom the ratings hyped up, which in many cases it is. Though some games my mom will go buy for me mainly just GTA and that's not to big of concern considering if I really wanted I could just download it.

Movies on the other hand piss me off the system is broken.

Some R rated movies are complete garbage and shouldn't be viewed by anyone. Some are great and sucks not being able to experience them in theaters.

 

[scar_47]

Its dependant on the childs level of maturity I had M rated games 18+ when I was 14 so I don't really see the problem with games, movies however people bring kids that are far to young to sit and be quite for 2 hours thus ruining my experience and making me want to key the parents car, part of being a parent is fucking you kid up for life just don't annoy me while your at it.

 

[eljawa]

It all comes down to the opinion of how mature the kid is and the specific reason that warranted the rating.

 

[wammnebu]

what is it with people parenting other's kids? its insulting to the parents and demeaning to the children.

a parent/sibling has lived with the child long enough to know them, and to know what is safe. so if they buy the game without reading the stupid letter, power to them.

there is no ideal parent, so as kids are their offspring whether they raise them as ned flanders or Mr. and Mrs. Turner is their choice based upon best allocation of time and resources.