Hinsdale South High School in
Chicago has recently been under fire for teaching an elective literature class
in which R-rated films are shown to juniors and seniors. The class aims to
demonstrate creativity by analyzing several literacy concepts through films as
a way to captivate the attention of the students. Yet, there have been various
complaints of parents, all claiming that such R-rated films are highly
inappropriate for a school classroom since most of the films showcase more
serious and offensive topics such as sex, profanity, and violence.
Superintendent Nicholas Wahl issued a statement in which he curtly reminded all
the outraged parents that a syllabus was given in the beginning of the year
that listed all of the films that would be shown throughout the year, and that
every parent had signed and returned his or her child's syllabus. Despite
admitting to signing the syllabus, the protesting parents still believe the
selected films which include Brokeback Mountain and American Beauty, are
inappropriate for a school environment no matter the lessons or morals that are
trying to be taught through the films. Offended parents believe that the board
of Hinsdale Township High School District 86 should try to reevaluate the
material their schools are teaching to young kids to assure that it is all
really necessary and acceptable.
I thought this article was
significant because it focused on the response certain films may elicit no
matter their powerful stance regarding ideas and morals of society. It proves
that a film deemed a masterpiece may not
always evoke a positive message with everyone despite the film's best
intentions. It is also important because it could start changing the views on
R-rated films and what they are really about; many will now start to question
if such films hold any importance or are simply made to entertain those who
love a good blood-filled film.
As a student, this article
impacted me because I could relate to it because over the years at school, I
have been asked by multiple teachers to view a specific film or program for
educational purposes and sometimes those films and programs have not always
been "age-appropriate." Yet I have not been scarred or traumatized by
these films as most parents fearfully believe, but instead, I have become
educated because these films have delved into more serious topics that my own
parents sometimes refuse to talk about. So even if the film contains profanity
and violence, I am old enough to realize that it is simply a film and since I
know right from wrong, I will not indulge in such actions.
As a future filmmaker, this
piece of news impacts me because I am once again reminded of the consequences
that producing R-rated films can have. Although most R-rated films usually have
a strong moral or lesson that is needed to be demonstrated through violence,
many still indulge in blood and profanity for "fun", which I think
may be crossing the line a bit. As a future filmmaker, if I were ever to be
part of creating a R-rated film, then I would want that film to have a purpose
and lesson that can potentially inspire others rather than just sticking in
blood and curse words randomly.
As a consumer, this article
impacted me because now I will be more careful when I know I am watching a
R-rated film. Many of the concerns of parents with these films is the potential
negative effect R-rated films could have on young teenagers because they think
the films hold too much delicate topics. Yet when I watch another R-rated film,
I will try to view it in way that my parents would to see if the topic of the
film is indeed too inappropriate for someone my age.
As I was reading this article, I
wondered if the protesting parents realized the irony in the whole situation
and if they did, did they ignore it? The parents complain that R-rated films
should not be shown because they portray too much sexual concepts and violence,
yet do these parents realize that their kids probably have video games with the
same theme? Nowadays, video games are becoming very violent mixed in with
implied sex scenes, but the parents still let their kids play these games and
even purchase them as gifts for them. Are parents really outraged about their
underage kids watching R-rated films in general, or are they just mad that they
are shown these films at school rather than at home or at a friend's house?
I agree with you 100%! I feel like many movies are rated R without actually being Rated R. For example, Psycho. This comes to show just how delicate people are.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jose. A lot of movies that are rated R aren't even really that bad. If I recall, Paranormal Activity 3 was rated R but it had the characteristics of a PG-13 movie. As juniors and seniors, I think we should be trusted to watch rated R movies in our own. Most likely than not, we're legal to watch it anyways. I feel like the issue of censorship is what the parents are concerned about. Even though their kids are already technically adults, the parents still feel as though they have to censor their kids from "bad" movies.
ReplyDeleteI feel like those parents are overprotective of their kids 'innocence' and don't necessarily believe that those movies can actually teach the students something. Which is of course sad. However, some parents, no matter how hard you try won't be convinced of this. Likewise, I feel like the rating system has changed over the decades. Some films rated PG are more of a PG 13 and those rated R like what Jachelle and Jose said are not really rated R in today's perspective.
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