Is National Lampoon’s Vacation Suitable for 12 Year Old?

By Robert Palmer

Are you considering showing National Lampoon’s Vacation to your 12-year-old child? As a parent or guardian, it is essential to consider the appropriateness of the content before exposing your child to it. This article will provide you with an in-depth analysis of whether National Lampoon’s Vacation is suitable for a 12-year-old and why.

The Plot

National Lampoon’s Vacation is a comedy film that revolves around the Griswold family, which sets out on a road trip from Chicago to California to visit the fictional theme park Walley World. The father, Clark Griswold, plans this vacation as an opportunity to bond with his family and create unforgettable memories. However, their journey is filled with mishaps and challenges that make it more than just an ordinary family vacation.

The Content

National Lampoon’s Vacation contains several scenes that may not be suitable for younger audiences. Some of these include:

  • Sexual Content: There are multiple scenes in the movie that contain sexual references and innuendos. For example, Clark fantasizes about an attractive woman while driving, and there is also a scene where he watches a suggestive dance performance.
  • Vulgar Language: The movie contains frequent use of profanity and crude language.
  • Violence: Although the violence in the movie is mostly slapstick comedy, there are scenes where characters get hurt or injured.
  • Drug Use: One scene shows Clark smoking marijuana with his brother-in-law while driving.

The Rating

National Lampoon’s Vacation received an R rating when it was released in 1983. The R rating means that individuals under the age of 17 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The film was rated R because of its sexual content, vulgar language, and drug use.

Conclusion

Based on the content analysis and rating, it is safe to say that National Lampoon’s Vacation may not be suitable for a 12-year-old child. While the movie may be entertaining for adults, it is important to consider the age-appropriateness before exposing children to such content. Parents or guardians should use their discretion when deciding if their child is mature enough to watch this movie.