The Hunger Games
Parents have a tough decision on whether or not to allow tweens to view “The Hunger Games.”
From Judy Arnal, a fellow parenting educator from Calgary, Canada.
Tips for parents of children watching The Hunger Games Movie
Ideally, see the movie before your child does! However, if attending a midnight movie is not on your fun list, at least be present for processing this weekend!
Talk to your child about the movie – what did she like, dislike?
Ask your child to draw pictures of what she thought of the movie. Give her plain paper, markers and don’t judge. Accept all responses.
Temperament matters more than age. If your child is sensitive and empathiseswith other children, re-consider if this movie is appropriate.
Realize that reading the books is different from watching the images. Reading allows a child’s imagination to interpret the scenes according to their experiences. Watching a movie forces a child to accept an adult’s interpretation of the scenes which can be much more intense and frightening.
Gauge your child’s ability to handle complex subject matter. The onset of puberty allows children the ability to handle abstract thinking and examine the grey areas of right and wrong. Pre-teens are not able to think critically yet, and see things in absolutes or black and white. This is the reason for the PG14 rating.
–Judy Arnall, the Professional Parent
From Raising Able
Talking about “The Hunger Games” and getting them to write and draw about it will reduce the impact of those powerful images. Read the book, too. The book is always better than the movie. It’s one of those books that tweens, teens and parents can read together and talk about.
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March 23, 2012 at 10:59 am
I know firsthand the controversy The Hunger Games. I am a librarian who has been asked this question by parents. Does it belong in the children’s collection, or teens, or both? As with any book or movie, parents need to be proactive, and yes read or view before the child, because they know their child best. Then they can make the call on whether or not it is appropriate. My 10 year old never heard of The Hunger Games until the marketing campaign started over the movie, and yes, she wants to see it. I’ve decided she needs to wait and told her I’ve read the book and want her to read the book first. Knowing her, I don’t think she is ready. For now I will encourage her to read other books about dystopian societies such as The city of ember by Jeanne DuPrau. I encourage any concerned parents to check with their local librarian for suggestions of other titles for tweens if they do not feel they are ready for Hunger Games, and in the meantime, read the book themselves.
March 24, 2012 at 10:22 am
Reading differs from seeing in two important ways: first, as Arnal states, “reading allows a child’s imagination to interpret the scenes according to their experiences.” Every child is going to have his or her own mental image. Second, children can put down a book if the content is overwhelming. A movie can’t be put down, and kids are unlikely to walk out of a movie if they are overwhelmed. I agree with Beth that we parents should either check out other titles, and/or read the book ourselves.