When I first had my daughter in early 2007, one of the local movie theaters ran baby-friendly movies. The lights stayed on, the sound stayed down, and all us moms got to see a movie while our newborns slept and ate. It was a great thing, but I never in a million years would have ever considered bringing her (or any other baby) to a movie besides those.
It's simply rude. Other patrons are paying $12.50 and they would like to see their movies in peace. In Chicago, a group of movie theaters are so committed to this that they have banned children under 6 in R-rated movies. Good on them! If people don't police themselves and do what is appropriate, then the ban makes sense.
Because it isn't only bad for the other paying customers. It's also bad for the baby.
The movie in question that caused the ban was The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I saw that movie. It had a graphic rape scene and more violence than any child should ever see. If parents are too crappy to know not to show their child that movie, then I should at least be granted the respect of not having to see it warp their tiny minds.
I will never forget the time my husband and I settled down in the theater to watch the decidedly R-rated Rob Zombie's Halloween when a group of parents wheeled their baby strollers into the aisle and proceeded to watch the movie. Not only did their babies (and toddlers) roam the aisles, they also saw things most adults can't handle.
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It's bad parenting, plain and simple. Babies don't belong at adult movies. For a baby to be at a movie, the movie ought to be a matinee, it ought to be marketed to kids, and it ought to be full of other kids.
Sure, it serves the business bottom line to not serve babies. After all, why would they want a million complaints? But also, it serves humanity. I don't want kids growing up thinking it's normal to see Halloween at 2. I don't want them in class with my children and I don't want to see them in the theater.
If parents can't be parents, then I am glad someone is stepping up to stop them. Hire a babysitter. They cost $15 an hour and will save your kid a lot of future trauma. If you can't do that, rent a movie. Otherwise you are more than just a bad parent. You are a bad citizen.
Do you take your baby to R-rated movies?
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Comments 62
no i have not..
If it's a children's movie, go for it, but if the baby begins to cry, the mom or dad should leave the theatre quietly. They should also sit closest to the exit as possible. I don't think I'd ever go through that hassel, but as long as the parent is respectful, I see no problem.
Nope
I agree with everyone about taking a young child to a movie that is not for childern. When Avatar came out I was sitting next to a mom who brought her 5 year old to the movies. She kept covering the girl's eyes cause of stuff. If you're going to cover eyes than you should have waited for the dvd release where you can fast forward through parts you don't want them seeing.
I'm the first to ammit that I like going to movies that are made for the kid crowad but I still would like to be able to watch the movie in peace with out someone kicking my seat or reaching through the gap between the seats. (Had a kid do that one time and he kept trying to get into my snacks. I finally had to turn around and tell the parents. They stopped him for all of 5 mintues and than the kid was trying to get into my purse.)
Megan I don't have an issue with parents wanting or not wanting to sensor their kids - I could give a damn. I only have a problem if the kid begins to act up and the parents ignore it and ruin the movie for everyone else.
no. i don't take my babies to movie theatre and I do not appreciate it when others do. Obviously if it's a kids movie it is practically expected and fine. Anything not geared towards children you should not take your kids to see. If you can't afford a sitter wait for the rental. When i go to see an adult movie chances are it's for a break and I didn't pay $10 for my seat to hear your baby in the background. It's silly that this has to be of question for some peope. It's called common sense and courtesy.
never crossed my mind