Somerville Theatre bans (young) kids from entering after 6 pm. Let's discuss it here

[ron_newman]

This week's Somerville News has an article about the Somerville Theatre's policy of banning children under 12 8* from entering the theatre after 6 pm, even if they are accompanied by adults.

Is the theatre's policy a service to its customers who want a peaceful movie experience, or is it unfair discrimination against families with young children?

I'm posting this because we can have a more civilized discussion here than on the Somerville News blog comments. Ian Judge, the theatre's manager, reads this community, so we may be able to provide useful feedback to him here.

* Edited 11:55 am to add: I have a serious factual issue with this article. It says the policy applies to children under 12, but the theatre's website and exterior signs say it's for children under 8. That's a significant difference -- maybe significant enough to change people's opinions.

Second edit, 3 pm: Ian Judge has clarified that the theatre's policy is to exclude children under 8, not 12, from entering after 6 pm. He had made an erroneous statement to the News reporter which very unfortunately made it into the published article. Also, here is Ian's response to the specific incident detailed in the News article.

Comments

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

Even better. So this is news then because some kids got thrown out for being douchebags, complained to mommy, who complained to the paper?

I have nothing kind to say about this sort of thing.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

I do - look at the reporter.
Same person who says (in effect) that it's all the newcomers' fault that "kill a yuppie" is painted all over.

[ron_newman]

This is not a newcomer vs oldtimer issue. Ian Judge, the theatre's manager, grew up in Somerville and still lives here.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

It's the same old "There's not enough for kids, the yuppies who have no kids are ruining Somerville" shtick.

[ron_newman]

Whether or not you agree with the Somerville Theatre's policy (and I haven't made up my mind one way or the other), that's a legitimate issue. With the Loews Assembly Square theatre and Good Time both closed, there's less for kids in Somerville to do than there used to be. At least we're keeping Sacco's Bowl-Haven (for now, anyway).

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

So, the only things kids can do is go to places that cost money, and either pay for the services they offer, or just hang out there?

When I was a kid, we didn't need money-grubbing places to have fun.

I also think Somerville doesn't have enough places to simply play, but there are others who think what we don't need is another general purpose park.

[koloratur.livejournal.com]

That was the first thing I thought when people started mentioning that kids had nowhere to go. When I was under 15 (the approximate age when I started hanging around at live music shows and coffee shops), we hung out at each others houses, mainly, and played outside in peoples yards. It seems the problem is that there is just no place for the 13 year olds with absentee parents who want to be rowdy little shits and smoke in the park at 10:30. Which is an issue, but a different one, I think.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Who the HELL would send their kids to Good Time? I loved the place, but I wouldn't let a kid run around unsupervised there.

And what happened to the park, or being outdoors, or rotting their minds in front of video game consoles, like I did when I was a kid? ;-)

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Too many yuppies (http://community.livejournal.com/davis_square/1409489.html?thread=15575505#t15575505) bring too many parks (http://community.livejournal.com/davis_square/1409489.html?thread=15582929#t15582929).

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

*shrug* I went to crappier places as a kid.