Children and television

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Simple question what do you consider too much? (Sorry to offend anyone) I started watching the show Flashforward a couple weeks ago and my sister who's 9 caught the last 2 episodes. Well at first I thought it was your basic action show the most I saw (at first) was a man/woman etc. laying in a bed or cuddling nothing sexual but this current episode had two women kissing lovingly (holding each other etc.) What are your thoughts on this? I'm going to bring it up to my parents tonight but wanted WP input.

Well, I'm not familiar with the show but I don't see why two women kissing would be any more offensive than a couple of guys with a gun shooting things.

My kids are allowed to watch Torchwood which has Captain Jack trying to shag everything that moves in it. They generally find it pretty dull though and I encourage the thought of "aw no, not another boring kissy bit".

They prefer Doctor Who and the Sarah Jane Adventures.

If you censor things, then kids will get curious. If you make out that it's boring, I think it's better.

She said eww lesbian (again sorry to offend) and they kissed twice (romantically) not a peck or something simple. I'll ask mom/dad later what there judgement call is thanks for your input.

I caught that episode as well. Personally, I thought it was sick and I really don't think children should be exposed to that kind of stuff. Same thing if it were two males.

If I get flamed for my opinion by anyone, go ahead. I'm not changing it.

Don't flame others, and you will (hopefully) not be flamed either... in any case, you're entitled to your opinion. The world would be a pretty boring place if we all agreed.


I do wonder about the logic here though...

You're saying that exposure to same-gender kissing is the problem?
If there was a male and a female kissing with the same degree of affection, would it be a problem?

What about if a boy was eating an ice cream and a dog came up and licked him on the face?

I'm not trying to be offensive, just feeling my way around some boundaries which seem a little fuzzy.

If it was me, I would just explain to my children in a very matter-of-fact, literal way, that when two adults really love each other they sometimes express their love by kissing each other. I would also tell them that it is ok for two women to love each other and that it is ok for two men to love each other. Of course, this would inevitably lead to about a gazillion questions along the lines of "what is love?" "why do people kiss?" and "but I thought love was all about making babies." These questions would lead to further matter-of-fact, literal answers. I generally give the kids time to ask all their questions, and I answer all of them, until they are questioned-out.

Flash Forward is full of complicated relationships and themes, and includes a decent amount of violence. It isn't intended for an audience of 9 year olds, period. That kiss isn't even the most inappropriate part. There is a woman who sees herself cheating on her husband, a man who is an alcoholic and sees himself lapsing, a young woman who sees her own murder, a ton of blood and violence, black mail, and more. This isn't cartoon violence or a clear fantasy setting. I don't consider any of it appropriate for my nine year old daughter.

In our house, we don't watch programs that are not appropriate for all ages in the family on the living room TV. If I want to see a show like Flash Forward, and I have been watching it, it is after the children are in bed or with earphones on the computer. Think of this show as rated PG-13 or higher and act accordingly.