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

Re: NIMBY

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Whereas now, yuppies have yet another park in the area to sit unused. Because there was a dire need for more parks.

That's so laughable.

Have you been to the neighborhood that new park is in?

It's not yuppies - it's mostly immigrant working class families, with a number of SCC subsidized homes within two blocks.

By giving youths a place to go and something to do, you benefit the entire community.

But you're NOT giving youths a place to go - you're giving skaters a place to go.

A skate park is a purpose/function built place - it's not appropriate for anything but skating.

I know I personally wouldn't have done half the drugs I have if I had something to keep me entertained between 14 and 17, and accordingly, I wouldn't have broken so many windows, waxed so many curbs and benches, and wouldn't have fucked up so much public property in general.

So, you're saying it's the city's fault you committed criminal acts?

Re: NIMBY

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

I notice you ignored the issue of "yuppies".

Re: NIMBY

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

The abandoned lot that was there was an eyesore.

Yes, I ignored your other arguments, because, basically they amount to the same thing - it's all the city's fault.

Re: NIMBY

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Wow, way to say the same thing, over and over again, hoping maybe the repetition will make it all okay.

Re: NIMBY

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

there are four other parks within a 3000 ft radius, so yuppie or not, I don't see the dire need for a new park

The City, and the Mayor, disagree with you:

"because Somerville remains the most densely populated city in New England, and because only three percent of our land area is devoted to open space"

http://www.somervillema.gov/Section.cfm?org=MAYOR&page=1069