MovieChat Forums > Odd Girl Out (2005) Discussion > Should I have my daughter watch this?

Should I have my daughter watch this?

posted 16 years ago by mike72688
11 replies | jump to latest

My daughter is 10 1/2 and going into 5th grade. She is modestly defiant and it's hard to get her to listen to me when I try to explain things about bullying and why she may not be getting along with some of her classmates.

Yesterday a neighbor girl who is about 1 year younger than my daughter told her to pick up a man's sandles at the community pool and throw them in the bushes while he wasn't looking. I was on the other side of the pool but I happened to see my daughter carry it out. Of course I was very disappointed in her. As a parent you start to think "What if someone told her to smoke pot? Would she do it?". I've seen this movie twice and I'd like to have my daughter watch it with me but I'm wondering if she is old enough to follow it. What do you think? Thanks.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] enigma30 16 years ago

While I agree to an extent about it being a movie for adults to learn from, its also for students to learn from as well. The movie is about awareness, really.

As for a parent NOT showing this movie to their child.... I highly disagree.

My opinion.... if this movie says "this is what you're going to expect when you hit middle school", then its best the child be prepared. Could the child worry after watching it? Perhaps. But they are going to see it happen to others and be fearful anyways and chances are they may not know how to deal with issues if they arise. Its best to prepare children by not only telling them what we experienced at their age, but to help them prepare for it BEFORE it happens. Not wait for it to happen and then deal with it.

Odds are most kids will endure some form of bullying at some point in their schooling, but its up to the parents to take the responsibility and prepare their children any way they can and not throw the burden of the unknown and the unexpected on them. If there is something we know they could experience and could help them in some form, its the duty of the parents to do that.

I think this movie could be a great visual aid for any parent who wants to prepare their child but the parent should watch it with their child as well to explain things or to answer any questions.

Plus, I think this movie not only could help prepare children but also may help in preventing some from becoming a bully after seeing what it does to others. This is a tough world and parents should do their best to help guide their children.

And if you feel this is a movie for parents to learn from, well what do you think any responsible parent would do after learning from this? Prepare their child? Talk it over with their child? If the parent can act on what they learned, even by showing them this movie, then thats great.

[–] ImprisonedDaydreamer 16 years ago

I agree with enigma I think it would not be a very good idea to show this to your daughter at this point in her life.
However I DO think it is a good idea for her to see it. But wait until she is at the very LEAST a junior in highschool.
This is an age where your emotions are stronger than your common sense and if bullying takes place, things such as suicide attempts are prevelent.
Your daughter most likely WILL come across some bullying in her highschool years though I pray to God it will not be to the extent the bullying is in this film.
In my opinion, the best thing for you to do is sit down with her, and have a long, simply worded discussion with her about how bullying affects teenagers. Teenage girls especially. Make sure that she knows that she can sit down and talk to YOU anytime there is a problem. and make it clear to her that you will be understanding and hear her part of the story first and foremost.
Then after she has grown up a little bit and is about 15 or 16 and has had some experience in highschool, show her the film.
It is much safer to approach it that way and I do think that the movie can and will have some benefit on her. But only after she has matured a little bit more and has a better understanding of what the outside world is really like.
It is very important for you to be a sounding board in all manners and all times.
If you daughter is upset and wants to talk. Don't just ask her whats wrong. Sit her down and gently, calmy, rationally make her tell you that there is a problem and let her understand that you are there to help, not hinder or hurt.
If in the event that something horrible DOES happen...Just the fact that your daughter knows that you are there to help her in any situation could very strongly save her life one day.

[–] AlexTheGreyWolf 14 years ago

Daydreamer you mean you disagree with enigma, you said the total opposite of what enigma said. I agree with enigma, show it to your daughter, it's important that you prepare your children BEFORE it happens to them because as you can see from this film if you make the mistake of not preparing them they might not want to talk about it once it hits them.

[–] theoceansblue 16 years ago

Simply put, yes. Every person is different, she might learn something from it, she might not. But, it can't hurt to try.

I know when I was 10 I would have understood it. Now, not sure if I would have taken a very big message from it, but at such a young age children absorb what they are taught.

And, if it does have an impact on her, it will affect her in her future whether she realizes it or not. Everything we experiance, and see, helps to mold the person we become.

[–] jmicaallef 15 years ago

I would say yes
Show it to her
She may learn a finger or 2 from it
If not than show it to her when she is like 14/15

[–] whitespirit26 15 years ago

You don't make a kid confide in you, Daydreamer. Get real.

[–] Amry0217 14 years ago

I think maybe she'd obviously learn from it. She might learn how to harrass someone, or she may learn what happens when you are found out to be the harassee. But watch it with her and comment how easy it is to go with the crowd if they are urging you to act out.
==============================
He lifts me clear to the sky, you know he taught me to fly.

[–] MiaTMB 14 years ago

I'd agree with yes too. But if you're wondering if she's able to follow it, maybe every now and then pause it, and ask if she knows what's going on, or if she has any questions or comments. That way she won't get too lost :)

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin33 14 years ago

I think everyone should see this movie.

"SLaughter is the best medicine"

[–] Gypsy_Violins 14 years ago

There is a good amount of age appropriate bullying resources on the internet, much of it is free. I would check for something her age unless, of course, something in this movie struck a note and you feel it would do more. Work on building esteem, too.