A new documentary about bullying, appropriated titled “Bully,” is currently
rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). However, the people behind the film, as well as thousands of others around the country, are calling for the rating to be changed to PG-13 in order to make it more accessible to young people.
The MPAA decided to give “Bully” the R mark primarily because of a scene where a bully describes what he will do to a victim using variations of the F-word. Use of the F-word more than once, or only once when used to describe sexual intercourse, almost always results in an automatic R rating.
Last month, The Weinstein Company, which created the film, petitioned to have the rating changed to
PG-13. TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein and Alex Libby, one of the bullied children in the film, argued that the R rating would prevent the film from reaching young audiences. In particular, the R rating prevents the documentary from being shown in schools. (The studio was planning on screening the film at various middle and high schools.) Additionally, many teens prefer to go to the movies with their friends instead of their parents, but you must be at least 17 years old to see an R-rated film without a parent or guardian.
The Weinstein Company lost their appeal. They were one vote short of the two-thirds required to overturn an MPAA rating. However, a ratings change doesn’t seem to be completely off the table. On Thursday, MPAA and Weinstein will be hosting an invitation only screening and panel event for Washington D.C. educators, to discuss “the challenges educators face in dealing with
bullying in the classroom.” However, it seems likely that the rating itself will also be a topic of discussion.
What do you think SodaHeads? “Bully” is currently rated R, but should it be changed to PG-13?
I teach my kids that if EVER someone keeps hitting on them, they need to get a 2x4 or a bat or whatever and fight back. It's really that simple. BTW, I've been on the other end of a "BULLY" Big bad "BULLY" wasn't so bad after the 2x4 hit across his skull. As of today, that person is a friend of mine. It's called gaining respect.
If your kid popped mine, I'd put you in your place.
I just think it's funny that this person seems to be so against swearing, but is okay with his kids fighting.
Keeping it real is not allowing it in the school.
I teach my kids to refrain from violence unless they are hit on, then it's game on.
I could never use foul language around kids that don't understand WHY it is being used.
I believe children over the age of 13 (if this was rated PG-13) are old enough to understand why a bully would use foul language, or at least understand that it's something that's wrong (seeing it paired with the bully).
I do wonder though, do you assume your kids don't regularly hear explicit material in the school yard? You'd be amazed at the things children say... and even the best behaved, most open children, don't repeat what they hear to their parents so the words and topics can be addressed. I've found the children who aren't sheltered tend to handle things much better, whereas those who were sheltered either rebel or struggle with life's small hurdles.
I could care less what they hear in the school yard, it's what is heard and taught IN the classroom that I am concerned with. Kids know about sex as well, should we allow porn in the classroom as well to talk about rape?
BTW, my kids are FAR from sheltered. School is not the time or place for any of this.
"a swear word is a swear word it does NOT HURT ANYOEN BUT MAYBE FLEEINGS ON HOW IT USED. using a fist is going to hurt someone." See now you are just talking in circles. If there is mental and physical bullying, then why can't words also be painful? Hearing an F-Bomb hurts my ears. I can argue physical pain is much easier to get over than emotional.
Brilliant!!!
I'm a bully?
This is comedy.
Brilliant!!!
you said you were not a bully parent
you use words to insult me
thefore you are a bully.
Go finish your bridge game.
Brilliant!!!