Age to allow child to watch Star Wars for first time

[Tom Hendricks]

My oldest son who is almost four asked today if he could watch Star Wars. He hasnt seen any Star Wars so far, being a big fan we have a lot of the toys. He picked up this R2D2 toy and asked to watch the movie R2D2 is in. It was very late in the day and he would be eating dinner, bath and bedtime. So we said no, but I was taken a back by him asking. I'm not sure what to do here, we are very vigilant about what we allow him to watch and limiting the amount of time he spends in front of the tv. There is nothing I want to do more then share Star Wars with my boys but I'm on the fence if it's to soon. However as I keep thinking about it, I keep flip-flopping on weather to allow it or not. I think, he can watch Episode 1 and maybe 4 & 6. Then I think it's to soon, maybe another year or so. I know for a fact one of his buddies has seen it.

Any advice is welcomed, help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

Heres us playing.

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

I saw them when I was four. Think I turned out OK! I know it's not much in the way of advice, but it's the best I can offer.

 

[Dream]

The Nerd Parent's Guide: When and how to introduce your kids to Star Wars

 

[Admiral James Kirk]

I was two in 1977 when I first saw Star Wars. It was the single most influential cinematic experience of my life. Two is a great age. At least for me. My son is two and I've had the Star Wars flicks on but his favorite thing is the Toy Story Trilogy. Ah well, each generation has it's own legends.

 

[ATimson]

If he's old enough for 4 & 6, I think he's old enough for 5 - Luke's hand is no more gruesome than the burning Lars or the electrocuted Luke.

Obviously it's going to depend on the particular kid, but I don't think 4 is unreasonably young.

 

[TemporalFlux]

My nephew saw it when he was three or four (can't remember which). He's 12 now and acts kind of weird, but I don't *think* that's due to Star Wars.

 

[Guy Gardener]

In 1983 I remember sitting on Santas lap and saying that i wanted one of those big metal doggy things that shoots lasers for Christmas.

At that point in my life I couldn't imagine a universe without Star Wars.

But it had only been 6 years since the 4th one came out.

 

[Orac]

My son is 2 and he's seen Star Wars plenty of times. He can name all the main characters and even does a fair Darth Vader impression.

I only let him watch the 1977 version though, the Special Edition is an abomination.

 

[FreezeC77]

I was 4 when I saw ESB at the threater and my brother was 3... Although he slept through most of it.

 

[rhubarbodendron]

4 is a bit young imo, but I think it'd work with the epis you suggested. I'd start with IV as it was the first one that was shot and therefore explains a lot of things that you need to know for the other episodes.

How about telling your son the story first? You could divide it up in a few bedtime stories. Also, before watching the movie you should make sure he is aware that it's just a fairy tale and not real, so that he knows he needn't be afraid.

At any rate you should watch the movies together with him and not leave him alone with it, so that you can keep an eye on his reactions and immediately explain anything that he might not have understood.


Just let the Force of common sense guide your actions

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I think tv has less emotional impact than in the cinema where it's big and loud and potentially scary.

 

[StalwartUK]

Star Wars was originally made with kids in mind so I don't think there will be any problems.

 

[Relayer1]

About three weeks after we brought him home from the hospital, I left my wife in bed one Sunday morning, sat my son on my lap and we watched Star Wars. He's seen it many times since.

I don't really think there's an issue with children and any of the SW films - I think you should be more concerned about being over-protective, although I agree Revenge of the Sith isn't exactly Disney. Maybe save that one for the next year or two.

 

[Vendikarr]

If he wants to see the show R2D2 was in, why not see if you can get your hands on episode of the "Droids" cartoon that aired in the 80s.

Tell him it's part of a big story that you will share with him when he gets older.

 

[Guy Gardener]

I walked in on my parents watching Caligula when I was 6. Spent years thinking It had been I, Claudius... Much later I realized that Peter O'Toole's penis isn't in I, Claudius.

 

[Orac]

I find many Disney movies scarier than anything in Star Wars. Bambi and Pinocchio for instance still scare the shit out of me.

 

[Gotham Central]

I'm more curious as to what potential objections one might have to letting a 4 year old watch Star Wars? The movies were made with kids in mind anyway. Most of the "heavier" aspects of the tale will go over the heads of most younger kids. They'll just enjoy it for the swashbuckling adventure silly humor and space battles. There is nothing in any of the films that would be traumatic. I think I saw my first Star Wars film when I was 5 in the theater (Return of the Jedi).

 

[Set Harth]

I walked in on my parents watching Caligula when I was 6. Spent years thinking It had been I, Claudius... Much later I realized that Peter O'Toole's penis isn't in I, Claudius.

Only the Special Edition.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

My parents took me to see Star Wars in the theater when I was three years old, and apart from frequent misuse of units of distance as units of time and the occasional desire to hack off someone's arm in a bar brawl, I turned out okay I think.

All he'll care about is shiny robots, cool aliens, and spaceships zooming by. I doubt he'll be troubled by the Alderaanian genocide.

Here's a good example of how a child that age sees Star Wars:

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBM854BTGL0[/yt]

 

[The Dominion]

I remember Empire Strikes Back being my favorite when I was five, and I was always determined to watch the whole thing but the part where Luke loses his hand sometimes disturbed me.

Also, it really is for the best to avoid Episode I like the plague. He'll thank you when he's older.