My local movie theatre offers “mom & baby” showtimes, should I go?
Q: There is a movie theatre near my home that has afternoon shows for moms, where they put out a changing table in the theater and don’t lower the lights all the way—but then they show very adult movies. What effect does being exposed to these movies have on infants and toddlers, most of whom are not talking yet? -Skeptical about Screenings, Pacific Palisades, CA A: Dear Skeptical, This accommodation for moms certainly seems like a great convenience, but you are right to question its effects on the babies. Because the babies are not yet ready to talk — a stage called “pre-verbal” — it’s tempting to believe that they are not affected by what’s on screen. And it’s true that they probably can’t figure out the images in any meaningful way. So what’s the problem? The main problem with this kind of arrangement is that babies are exquisitely attuned to their mothers’ feelings. Films geared toward adults often involve fear, violence, and/or sexuality, and if the films are any good, they are
