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

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

Kids should be allowed in, but ushers should be both allowed to and encouraged to remove families that can't control their little snowflakes.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Families don't go quietly. It makes more sense to stop them at the door than to deal with idiot parents after they've purchased a ticket.

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

I believe in innocent until proven guilty. Stopping people at the door is how Congress and state government legislates -- to stop the lowest common denominator, ruining it for the rest of us.

Examples:

Mass fireworks laws. Just because Jim Bob Worcester throws 30 pounds of fireworks in a pile and soaks them in gasoline doesn't mean I shouldn't be allowed to use them responsibly.

Jaywalking laws. You can be cited for crossing an empty street with excellent view both ways if you're not at a crosswalk.

Bars closing at 11/12. Don't even get me started.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Stopping people at the door is how Congress and state government legislates

Good thing this is a private business, then, isn't it? I agree with you about this (although not your examples, necessarily), but it doesn't apply in this case.

Unless you've gotten all endearingly socialist on us.

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

I'm not talking about public or private, I'm talking about a more general approach to policy.

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

That said, ushers should be equipped with Tasers.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

But doesn't a private business have the right to do whatever it wants, within the law?

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

Well... of course. I, however, disagree with this particular policy, for the reasons stated above.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

The model traffic regulations which most Massachusetts cities and towns have adopted say that you can cross if there's no crosswalk within 300 feet, but cars have the right of way in this case.

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

Good to know! Are you an internet lawyer or just civic minded?

[amethystmoon.livejournal.com]

Just because Jim Bob Worcester throws 30 pounds of fireworks
Hey, what are you saying about Worcester?!?! ;)

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

I'd tell you, but I'd probably get another "mod note".