Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that a lot of R horror movies have that rating because of gratuitous sex scenes, not the horror parts. Think--axe murderer walking in on a couple in a rocking car...

See, the sex really wouldn't bother me. The violence does.

Really? Because I can chalk the violence up to fiction, it's made up, there's a real guy behind that mask who doesn't go around slaughtering people. But, the sex. Well, that can be and mostly like is real to a lot of teens. And Halloween-which is my favorite- there is a LOT of sexual references and groping/moaning/under the sheets sex going on in that one.

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that a lot of R horror movies have that rating because of gratuitous sex scenes, not the horror parts. Think--axe murderer walking in on a couple in a rocking car...

Yeah, this is the issue I have. And, I think it depends on your kid. I watched them at that age but I'm not sure that was a good thing. The sex - while not porn explicit- it's pretty clear what's happening and some of it is pretty graphic for a kid that age.

Not sure where I come out on that but leaning no.

I let my 7 and 10 year olds watch Halloween last October for the first time (tv version - sex scene cut out), and they thought it was boring. Couldn't believe it - that movie still scares me to this day!

I weep for todays children.

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that a lot of R horror movies have that rating because of gratuitous sex scenes, not the horror parts. Think--axe murderer walking in on a couple in a rocking car...

See, the sex really wouldn't bother me. The violence does.

The Shining!!!

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that a lot of R horror movies have that rating because of gratuitous sex scenes, not the horror parts. Think--axe murderer walking in on a couple in a rocking car...

When yeah and which part here is more traumatizing to the mind?

If the axe murderer was walking in on someone reading a newspaper it would be PG-13 ?
This is what's wrong with these ratings.

And OP - I am 100% with you!

Anonymous wrote:I watched Pet Semetary with my dad when I was 12 and it scared me so badly I had to sleep with the lights on for months after, and I still wish I could get those images out of my mind. Somehow, the images as memories are more horrifying than they would have been if I'd seen them when I was a little older. I wish I had not been allowed to see that. Admittedly, I cannot handle scary movies, but seeing Pet Semetary was almost a traumatic experience. I can't imagine what my dad was thinking...

Obviously your kid is not this kid and if he is watching with his dad and at home seems like he can walk away or ask to turn it off. Yes, I think you are being too helicopter-y

I watched Pet Semetary with my dad when I was 12 and it scared me so badly I had to sleep with the lights on for months after, and I still wish I could get those images out of my mind. Somehow, the images as memories are more horrifying than they would have been if I'd seen them when I was a little older. I wish I had not been allowed to see that. Admittedly, I cannot handle scary movies, but seeing Pet Semetary was almost a traumatic experience. I can't imagine what my dad was thinking...

My 11 year old loves scary movies. His favorites is the Friday the 13th series. He's also seen several Halloween movies. He loves Freddy vs Jason. I was against it at first but turned out he'd seen some movies without my knowledge. I realized he'd seen some of them on the ScyFy channel. They seem to play those movies often. At that point I kind of gave up and I think by now he's seen most of both series. My husband didn't have a problem with it from the get go.

We never restricted what the kids could watch based on age, except where there was an external requirement not to do so such as not attending R-rated movies in theaters underage, so I would personally be fine with that. I think a bigger issue is that you say DH is "pushing" it, when ideally you would navigate parenting issues in a way that respects both of your comfort levels. That said, is having him watching those movies with his father really a situation you're unwilling to accept? You mention vetting the film yourself, but what about DH's judgment?

It really depends on the "fit" between your child's personality and the specific movie.

I let my son read any book he wants, so from a young age he read adult books, some of which were quite scary. He also watched Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings movies quite young. However there is a genuine plot-line to all these films, and I wouldn't be comfortable letting my kids watch gore for the sake of it.

Which is a long way of saying that I second the more cerebral, classic movies. Give him something a little more intellectual.

Watching with dad? Let them enjoy this fun together.

OP here - thank you for the suggestions and the reality check!

I think it's fine. Honestly at 12 I'm assuming he's in middle school and trust me they've heard and seen a lot in school.

I kind of like the idea of introducing the classic horror flicks first and then moving on to some of the more current movies.

It's what we did with our kids and I think it was somewhat educational for them to see how special effects have developed over the years.