Are Buffy & Angel Comics ok for 10 year olds?

[randiann]

I would just like to say that, as a mother and as someone who censors what buffy my 11 year old step son is allowed to watch, i applaud you for trying to be involved with what your kid is reading/viewing. While there is alot of buffy that is ok for older kids/young teens, some issues are rather sensitive, and only you can judge if your kid is ready.

I fully support having an open dialogue with kids, but you also have to address the age appropriate-ness of the content. If you don't feel your child is ready for graphic sex scenes (cause that is what some of buffy is), then bravo for not shoving it in their face. That being said, I wouldn't ignore the issue if it happened to come up. You get a big part on the back from me though for bring involved. It's more than alot of parents do these days.

I'd read them first, or maybe think about some of the buffy novels if someone could suggest some that aren't too graphic. Being as I've nene2 read them, I can't recommend them personally.

 

[Professor Walsh]

Come to think about it, the old "Fray" comics may be more age-appropriate. Don't take my word for it entirely, though, it's half a decade since I read them.

 

[Gum Gnome33]

As others have said, definitely check them out for yourself!

You'll find that there's a lot of sexuality driving the plot, (one of the biggest--and corniest ever IMHO--plot lines involves sex)-- and though the images aren't what I'd call "graphic," I think they would be inappropriate for a 10 year old. That being said, because they have so much to do with the story line, I'm not sure how you'll explain things to him!

Which makes me wonder how you handled season 2? From the perspective of plot--did he understand why Angel lost his soul? Please don't think I'm judging you for showing it to your kid--I actually think it's fantastic that you do and I am genuinely curious as to how you address issues like this because one day in the not too distant future I hope to do the same!

 

[Crazy Flakes]

They're not okay for anyone. Because they SUUUUUUCK.

Disregard this if you're talking about Fray because Fray is awesome and should be fine for a ten-year-old.

 

[BuffyElevated]

I think it's awesome that you want to let your son read them, and that you're checking them out first before he's allowed to do so. I don't think I'd let my kids read them til they're in their teens. They're definitely not meant for children, by any means.
If you want to let him get into the comics without having to worry SO much about what's in them, maybe try the motion comic, which is out on Blu-ray and DVD now.

 

[randiann]

Which makes me wonder how you handled season 2? From the perspective of plot--did he understand why Angel lost his soul? Please don't think I'm judging you for showing it to your kid--I actually think it's fantastic that you do and I am genuinely curious as to how you address issues like this because one day in the not too distant future I hope to do the same!

I know for me (or rather us), season 2 wasn't graphic enough to censor too much. Look at the sex scene with Buffy/Angel in season 2 versus any sex scene between Spike/Buffy in season 6. Night and day. Plus my step son is allowed to watch pretty much everything at his mom's (including things like friday the 13th, dark knight, and law and order svu all of which he would never watch with me) so he's probably a little more "advanced" when it comes to that stuff. Not by my choice though.
Law and order svu has brought up alot more problems than buffy, actually. It's one of his favorite shows he watches at his mom's, and is the reason why we had to end up trying to explain child rape way before I think he was ready developmentally. I rather explain it than ignore it, but I rather that one have never come up at the age of 10. Thats what happens when I didn't worry about previewing something first and just trusted what someone else said was ok (even though it was his mother).

 

[Goby]

I know for me (or rather us), season 2 wasn't graphic enough to censor too much. Look at the sex scene with Buffy/Angel in season 2 versus any sex scene between Spike/Buffy in season 6. Night and day. Plus my step son is allowed to watch pretty much everything at his mom's (including things like friday the 13th, dark knight, and law and order svu all of which he would never watch with me) so he's probably a little more "advanced" when it comes to that stuff. Not by my choice though.
Law and order svu has brought up alot more problems than buffy, actually. It's one of his favorite shows he watches at his mom's, and is the reason why we had to end up trying to explain child rape way before I think he was ready developmentally. I rather explain it than ignore it, but I rather that one have never come up at the age of 10. Thats what happens when I didn't worry about previewing something first and just trusted what someone else said was ok (even though it was his mother).

I totally agree with the Season 2 vs Season 6 sex (and I'm a Spuffy). Regarding Angel losing his soul, he understands that Buffy and Angel shared a perfect moment of happiness. I don't think it was ever mentioned as a sexual act, just a perfect moment of happiness. (Either he didn't watch that episode of Season 2 or I skipped over the sex)

BTW, I was very saddened to read about your stepson watching L&O. I find L&O to be a horrific show on many levels. "L&O Special Victims Unit" is a show about rape and molest and people watch it.... to be entertained.

I want to thank everyone for their responses. If I decide to go forward with the comics, I will do it on my own first.

 

[VisionGirl]

Which makes me wonder how you handled season 2? From the perspective of plot--did he understand why Angel lost his soul? Please don't think I'm judging you for showing it to your kid--I actually think it's fantastic that you do and I am genuinely curious as to how you address issues like this because one day in the not too distant future I hope to do the same!

Hmm, my 10 year old understands that Angel fell in love with Buffy and experienced perfect happiness & lost his soul. I don't think I've ever specifically stated that it was sex, and I can't recall if he has seen Surprise or Innocence, at least sat down & watched the entire thing. Now he's a more reserved child, but he doesn't yet seem "into" the girls (at least he's not telling me anyway). But he & the 7 year old do think the kissing parts are truly gross, they don't have a desire to watch them lol. We were watching OMWF the other day, & my husband walked in near the end & my 7 yr old told him "Daddy, the grossest part is coming up at the end: the kissing part!!".

Law and order svu has brought up alot more problems than buffy, actually. It's one of his favorite shows he watches at his mom's, and is the reason why we had to end up trying to explain child rape way before I think he was ready developmentally. I rather explain it than ignore it, but I rather that one have never come up at the age of 10. Thats what happens when I didn't worry about previewing something first and just trusted what someone else said was ok (even though it was his mother).

Wow, L&O SVU? If I'm watching it, I change the channel when they come in the room. I like Bensen & Stabler, but even I sometimes can't handle the content, & they definitely don't need to be watching it.

---------- Post added at 09:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 AM ----------

I totally agree with the Season 2 vs Season 6 sex (and I'm a Spuffy).

Not even just that, but season 4 Briley sex is a little more graphic than anything in seasons 1-3.

Seriously, come over to our season 8 discussion, it's fun! 🙂

 

[Skanky Vamp]

It's really no wonder I am as screwed up as I am.. I remember being maybe 6 or 7 and watching Dirty Harry movies with my parents. I remember being 8 years old and going to see Indiana Jones at the theater. My parents had seen it previously so instead of staying in the cinema they left me in there while they went and watched something else. So this thread is like, wow, I didn't know that kinda stuff happened. I was in grade school when I got my first Playboy even.

 

[randiann]

BTW, I was very saddened to read about your stepson watching L&O. I find L&O to be a horrific show on many levels. "L&O Special Victims Unit" is a show about rape and molest and people watch it.... to be entertained.

I want to thank everyone for their responses. If I decide to go forward with the comics, I will do it on my own first.

Yeah, I had never watched it to be honest, i'm not a fan of the cookie cutter crime dramas, and we had ask been watching whatever came on before, my hubby and I were talking not paying attention, and first thing in that show: bam! Little molested dead girl. Not fun. Why anyone watches it is beyond me (no offense), why anyone lets their kid watch it is just completely out of my realm of understanding.

And, @sco, indiana jones is way different than svu....as far as I remember at least. You were just doomed to begin with.

I think it depends on the kid and how much the parent is comfortable with them knowing and when. I'll never not explain something to my kids, and encourage them to explore complex subjects. But discussing what sex is and seeing graphic presentation of it is two different things.

 

[kittenpoker]

Which makes me wonder how you handled season 2? From the perspective of plot--did he understand why Angel lost his soul? Please don't think I'm judging you for showing it to your kid--I actually think it's fantastic that you do and I am genuinely curious as to how you address issues like this because one day in the not too distant future I hope to do the same!

This wasn't for me, but I can answer from my perspective... I'm currently watching the series in order (one episode a night) with my 11 (about to be 12 year old -yikes-) twin daughters. when angel lost his soul I just explained to the girls that the curse would break if he had a moment of pure happiness... I defined that as not having even a tiny bit of sadness or regret in his heart but being completely free and happy.

they are still at the age where sex and romance is totally gross. they're reaction to his losing his soul was, "good! now at least they won't be kissing so much!"

---------- Post added at 12:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 PM ----------

As to the original post, awesome parenting, it sounds like you're striking a good balance which can be so tricky.

 

[VisionGirl]

I think it depends on the kid and how much the parent is comfortable with them knowing and when. I'll never not explain something to my kids, and encourage them to explore complex subjects. But discussing what sex is and seeing graphic presentation of it is two different things.

Yeah, and I think this is typical of how we address sex in general with kids- we're obviously not going to dump it all on them at one time! My 10 year old knows the basics, but not a ton of details; I handle the questions as they come. They know a little bit more about childbirth than the average kiddo due to my interest in it & my advocacy work (we were just looking up diagrams of breech presentations online last night LOL) & they've seen me breastfeed the younger ones, but I think I know what they can handle & what they're ready for.

This wasn't for me, but I can answer from my perspective... I'm currently watching the series in order (one episode a night) with my 11 (about to be 12 year old -yikes-) twin daughters. when angel lost his soul I just explained to the girls that the curse would break if he had a moment of pure happiness... I defined that as not having even a tiny bit of sadness or regret in his heart but being completely free and happy.

they are still at the age where sex and romance is totally gross. they're reaction to his losing his soul was, "good! now at least they won't be kissing so much!"

LOL, even at almost 12? Hmm, if my 10 year old really sat & watched Surprise & paid attention, I think he might get it. And if he asked me outright, I would tell him.

 

[kittenpoker]

Yeah, and I think this is typical of how we address sex in general with kids- we're obviously not going to dump it all on them at one time! My 10 year old knows the basics, but not a ton of details; I handle the questions as they come. They know a little bit more about childbirth than the average kiddo due to my interest in it & my advocacy work (we were just looking up diagrams of breech presentations online last night LOL) & they've seen me breastfeed the younger ones, but I think I know what they can handle & what they're ready for.

I think that's awesome. It really can be tricky to find that line between honestly answering their questions and knowing what they're ready, and what they're not ready, for... or so I find.

 

[Gum Gnome33]

I really like what people are saying about handling season 2 by explaining that it's about that "moment of happiness." Makes a lot of sense--can't wait 'till I get to try it out. 🙂

 

[Xanderfan]

Personally I Started watching Buffy when i was 7 years old i witnessed the first Episode on the day it first came on and ive watched every episode of buffy and angel until it was taken off the air. I mean there are certain things i would say if i was a parent pretty much id let them watch and read Buffy and angel but tell him not to act it out or what have you