‘R’ rated films are wrong in school

‘R’ rated films are wrong in school

Once again, the scene: Our high school, a classroom. Today’s text, prepared by professionals. A feature film, classified by a committee desensitized from years of viewing films not suitable for teenagers, as not suitable for teenagers.

A film rated "R," and therefore one many parents have chosen not to see, as a principle to be followed by their family. A child, mature. "Dad, you need to sign my form."

The form. Do you wish to allow your child to view the following films rated "R," containing in two hours apparently indispensable historical truth, graphic violence, with "adult" themes and language? A list of films for future showings, all during class time, including one known to display in the first 30 minutes the most graphic gore ever put on film for commercial purposes.

Dad: "Do you want to watch the film?"

Daughter: "They already showed it today. I didn’t watch. I stayed in the classroom alone. All my friends went to watch. They’ll watch the rest tomorrow. So you need to sign, saying ‘No’."

A look. A tear. Not hers.

Another class. Three friends. Six parents. "Are you going to watch it?" "No, are you?" "No." "I won’t watch either."

Teacher: "I don’t have all the forms. Three missing. Aren’t you going to watch? No forms? It’s okay. You can watch anyway." "No thank you. We choose not to." Three for the alternate assignment.

Not the most difficult decision to be made by young adults. But painful. Courage of convictions in the face of peer, teacher and institutional pressure builds young men and women of integrity and character. At a cost.

Will we continue to expect less of ourselves? Are schools a medium for the mediocre? Can schools license versions of these films more suitable to the audience and the exhibitor? Today’s issue: our children, our children’s children.

Gary Nevers

Oak Park