I didn’t think I would need to write a post about using kids’ movies to teach your littles about sexual abuse, but here we are (Note: post updated on 5/25/18, details below).
I woke up this morning to a Facebook post from one of my mental health advocate friends about the movie, Show Dogs. Of course, I shared it on the PTSD Parent Facebook page, but my mind (and my stomach) keep churning over it. The more I think about it, the more powerless I feel.
And the angrier I get.
A Warning for a Kids’ Movie?
I have been to my share of kids’ movies – my boys are now 13 and 16 years old. I have sat through endless hours of puns, fart jokes, butt gags, heartwarming endings, and yes, I have even cried (To this day, my kids gently razz me because I refuse to see How to Train Your Dragon 2 again, as I sat in the theater and sobbed through my first viewing of it and I just…can’t do it again).
And I have not once – NEVER – looked up warnings or even reviews before seeing a kids’ movie with my boys. I mean, it’s a movie for kids. I’ve seen different articles here and there about how Harry Potter is of the devil (way back in my church days) and how the minions of Despicable Me are a glorification of evil (more recent in my non-church days), but nothing – NOTHING – like this most current issue with Show Dogs making its way across advocacy and mom websites.
Using a Kids’ Movie to Teach Them About Abuse?
The post Show Dogs, Don’t Let Your Children Be Groomed, Use This to Teach Them has gotten quite a bit of attention thanks to the helpful review about how the movie can be used to teach your kids about abuse.
Let that sink in for a moment. I mean, just sit for a minute and let that message permeate the parts of your brain that turns into Momma Bears and Daddy Bears when someone wants to hurt your kid.
THERE ARE PARTS OF A KIDS MOVIE THAT I CAN USE TO TEACH MY KIDS ABOUT ABUSE? UM, WHAT?
Yes, I know – keep calm. Maybe this part of the movie is about how someone tried to lure the dog away with candy and the dog barked and ran for safety or how the dog used their smarts to stay safe and get help in a different dicey situation. No, friends, this is about ignoring all of your instincts regarding other people touching your private parts.
Trigger Warning: The Review and Grooming
The irony has not escaped me – a comedian by profession – about the “grooming” pun in this situation, and it makes my stomach turn. Oh, I AM SO MAD.
Keep in mind that I offer this with a trigger warning. Here’s part of the review referenced above by Macaroni Kid:
Since the inspection of the private parts will happen in the finals, Frank touches Max’s private parts to get him use to it. Of course, Max doesn’t like it and snaps at Frank for him to stop. Max is then told by the former champion, who has been through the process before, that he needs to go to his “zen place” while it happens so he can get through it. More attempts are made by Frank to touch Max’s private parts, but Max is still having trouble letting it happen and keeps snapping at him.
The day of the finals come and if Max doesn’t let his private parts be touched, he may lose the competition and any hope of finding the kidnapped panda. It all rests on his ability to let someone touch his private parts. The judge’s hands slowly reach behind Max and he goes to his “zen place”. He’s flying through the sky, dancing with his partner, there are fireworks and flowers-everything is great-all while someone is touching his private parts.
In terms of my years of therapy due to prolonged sexual abuse and resulting C-PTSD, this is called grooming and dissociation.
This is a very real way that predators groom their victims. It is disgusting.
So What Now?
All I know is that I got my coffee an hour ago, sat down, read the review, lost my shit, and am writing this post. I have no plan except to share this information as far and wide as I can.
Do not take your kids to see Show Dogs.
And spread the word.
Update
Well, collective outrage was effective, at least enough to reach the levels that produced change. According to a CNN article published on 5/23/18, Show Dogs is “…undergoing edits to remove the objectionable content” by the studio.
One of the statements included:
Global Road Entertainment, which co-produced and co-financed the film with Riverstone Pictures, initially issued a statement explaining that examinations were common practice in dog shows but apologized “to any parent who feels the scene sends a message other than a comedic moment in the film.”
Yeah, pathetic. That’s not an apology. But sucky apologies would be a completely separate blog post. So the movie will be changed for this weekend’s viewing. I still won’t be seeing it.
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Rachel Thompson says
I read that post also, and I also read the comments, which were infuriating. Along the lines of ‘Well, it’s a PG-13 movie, so what does this mom expect? Why is she taking her small children to this movie?” Well, I’m pretty sure all moms would expect even teens to not expect to learn about grooming.
More: “This IS what they do at dog shows. They’re just showing what actually happens. Why is she soooo offended? What’s wrong with her?”
Assholes. It’s not just one mom. There were enough of us who objected and signed petitions and roared on social media about it to make this change.
So much normalization of childhood sexual abuse it gets made into a kids movie and people defend it? Sickening.
Kelly Wilson says
Thank you, Rachel. For a little bit after I calmed down, I was like, “Did I overreact?” NO, I DID NOT. This is such a big deal. Thank you for your support!