‘The Hunger Games’ Is Deeply Disturbing [Video]

If you don't know about the "Hunger Games" book series and the movies the followed, then you live under a rock.  I first heard about The Hunger Games phenomenon through my  daughter who came home from school at the age of 10, begging for us to get the first "Hunger Games" book for her to read because everyone else her age was reading it and it was cool. 

Well, not being one to give in to peer pressure, just for the sake of ease, my husband and I did some investigation into this story and both of us found the story line to be quite disturbing for a 10 year old to process.  The story follows Katniss Everdeen who volunteers to save her young sister who was randomly picked to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised competition where contestants, who are children ranging in ages, fight to the death. It's theme of oppression was presented in a very violent, disturbing and graphic adult way.  Not exactly my idea of a kids' story but of course it was marketed to young teens and on up, since the story involved children of various ages (mostly teens).  So needless to say, we held off allowing her to read the book, due to its theme of violence.

My daughter is now almost 13 and has read the first Hunger Games book after "all" of her others friends had already read it, but she hasn't seen the movie yet.  Thank goodness!  My husband and I finally watched it for the first time this weekend because I was curious as to why this movie had become so popular. I hated it.  I found it very disturbing and still can't get the graphic images of children killing other children out of my head.  My husband couldn't bring himself to finish it.  I have a hard time not finishing a movie so I stayed to the bitter end.  My advice to parents who haven't yet allowed their kids to see either of the two "Hunger Games" movies that are out, DON'T DO IT!  It's just a movie and it will certainly not change your child's life in any positive way.  Plus, you can save your kids from who knows how many nightmares.  That's just one parent's opinion.