We are having a disagreement in our house about whether a television show, “The Family Guy” is appropriate for a 14 year-old. It is rated TV14. I am interested in the opinions of other Mamas out there who have seen the show – what do you think of it and its rating? Would you mind if your 14 year-old watched it?
hi, I know the show, unfortunately. Is it funny? Yes. But should it be funny? NO. I don't think it's appropriate for anyone. The humor is foul. It does not instill "family values" in a child. They think the humor is funny, therefore, the situations are funny. They can't determine between TV humor and real life. They will emulate it, again, because they think it's funny.
Good Luck :0)
J., I think the best advice I could give you is that YOU have to watch the show first (and that goes for whatever the kids are watching). Only you and your spouse can decide if it's appropriate for your family, given your values and tastes. I'd rather my kid watch The Family Guy than some violent shoot-em-up flick, but that reflects my personal value system. No one can make that decision for you.
J.,
I have a 14 year old son and a 45 year old husband. They both watch this show and laugh out loud. With that said, I hate it.
It's a sore subject in our house and at times I ask that they turn the TV off or switch the channel.
We have come to an agreement that my son has to watch it with his dad only without his younger sister in the room. If the subject gets too raunchy they have to turn it off or switch to another show.
Sometimes I know I have to pick my battles, my son is a straight A student, volunteers throughout the year and excels in sports. But if he's grades slip... he's not watching it.
My husband and my son says it's a guy thing...
Good luck!
You really have to decide for yourself whether you think it's appropriate or not. There are different opinions, and mine happens to be I hate that show. I hate that my husband watches it, and I certainly would never allow my son to watch it. For me, it ranks up there with the Simpsons. I leave the room whenever my husband has it on.
okay, so I guess I now have to admit that my husband and I do watch the show! It is sooo bad. I don't even think it's appropriate for us. There is so much racist stuff and thoroughly inappropriate content. I cant believe what he gets away with. I wouldn't let my 14 year old watch it. They make jokes about O.J. and prom night babies. REALLY BAD!! That said, I guess I should probably stop watching it too and pick up a good book. well good luck
I love the show but it would depend on the maturity of the 14 year old. It's important to remember that those ratings are really just guidelines for parents. If you still can't come to a coconscious in your home then have everyone sit down an watch an episode together then discuss the mature topics that were part of the show and base your final decision on that discussion
Hi J.,
My kids grew up watching the Simpsons, which I personally think is smart and hilarious in the way it satirizes all kinds of issues families deal with every day: school, politics, pets, aging, extended family, sibling rivalry, popular culture, corporate greed, divorce, bullying, homophobia...you name it. This was always our family's favorite show to watch together and I think it's because the humor works on so many levels...
My 15 year old son now loves both Family Guy and South Park (I know-yikes!) and my husband and I sometimes watch those shows, too.
My children are smart, funny, respectful and kind. They don't get into trouble at school, and they don't use bad language (at least not around us or any other adult that I'm aware of.)
It really comes down to your family's personal style and taste.
I think before you decide one way or another you need to watch the show with your son, at least that way he knows you're making an educated decision. TV ratings do not replace parental judgement :)
I love the show. I think its so funny and entertaining, but probably not so much for a 14 year old. They may be getting to the age where they actually get the adult humor and its not really appropriate. I would say 16 would be more appropriate. 14 just seems too young to me. Simpsons might be a better choice. If you want to give a little on this, maybe dvr or tivo (if you have it) the episodes, and screen it before you let your child watch it. Some episodes aren't as bad as others. So maybe if you screen it and find it ok, then your child can watch that episode. Just a suggestion to maybe be somewhere in the middle. Anyways, good luck, I remember having this argument with my own parents about simpsons and friends back when I was that age!! Hope things work out!
My 16 and 13 year old sons watch the show. I watch some of them along with them. It does contain a lot of adult humor, but they are mature boys and it often sparks a conversation with me (topics we may not have covered before). I know they've watched it at a friend's house, and I'd rather have them watch it here so we can speak about appropriateness, etc.
I rate Family Guy right up there with Simpsons and neither are allowed to be watched in my home no matter what the age. I see nothing good coming from either program and I do see that children can pick up alot of bad ideas from both programs.
