Family-friendly

A family-friendly product or service is one that is considered to be suitable for all members of an average family.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} Family friendly restaurants are ones that provide service to families that have young children.

In censorship debates, the term means cultural works (including art, literature, films, television and music) that are considered appropriate for children. Frequently, the term "Think of the children" is used during a moral panic to censor new forms of media.^[6] Often, depiction of nudity, sex, violence, horror, profanity, racial slurs, innuendo, drug use, blasphemy and racism are declared to be worthy of censorship. Many parents disagree over the ages at which children should be exposed to certain forms of media. The precise definition of "family friendly" can vary depending upon the perceived acceptability of content for children - one of the most challenged books in United States libraries is Captain Underpants, a book that contains toilet humor that parents read out to children - frequently parents that complain about media that contains profanity attempt to deny other families the ability to choose what is appropriate for their children. The values of the individual family, such as their belief in religion, can also impact whether the family perceives a product as family-friendly.

Frequently, family friendly products avoid marketing solely to children and attempt to make the product palatable to adults as well. Some examples of companies who promote products intended to be family-friendly include INSP, Hallmark, Discovery Family, Me-TV Network, Antenna TV, The Walt Disney Company, Mojang, Nickelodeon, Boomerang, Nintendo, Litton Entertainment, Pixar, Sullivan Bluth Studios, Activision Blizzard Studios, and Sierra Entertainment.^[7][8][9]

Politics

In politics, new workplace legislation may be introduced to strengthen the family unit through giving parents more flexible family-friendly working hours or educational reforms to helping children with special needs and to give parents more choice in how they are schooled.^[10]

Hospitality industry

The concept of family-friendliness within the tourism sector is constantly evolving. Hotels concentrate new services towards family-friendliness in a narrower concept such as child (kids stay and eat free)^[11] and pet-friendliness (pet friendly hotel chains)^[12] within the overall family-friendliness customer orientated concept.

Books

The American Library Association maintains a list of the most challenged books, which are frequently claimed to be inappropriate for children. They stated in a release by the National Coalition Against Censorship that "This year's #1 banned book, Captain Underpants... is the gift that keeps on giving. Why? Because these popular, silly books are read by parents, with their children, all over the country. The potty humor makes parents roll their eyes and kids giggle. The absurdity of banning books in order to attack perceived moral problems is exemplified by this year's winner.^[13]

Television

An overwhelming theme of television in the 1990’s was the trend of the family sitcom. This trend became enormously popular in the 90’s with shows such as Full House, Boy Meets World, Family Matters, Home Improvement, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Step by Step. During their prime, these shows were some of the hottest sitcoms on TV.^[14]

Events

A family-friendly or "all ages" show, event or venue refers to one with no age restrictions for entry, without consideration as to whether or not an age group or demographic would find the proffered entertainment interesting.

In the United States, as applied to the world of concerts, this can refer to a show or venue where minors are permitted to attend a live performance, since those who are not of legal drinking age are generally not permitted in bars that serve alcohol. Following the trends of punk rock and embracing to an extent the opposition to drugs and alcohol inherent in the Straight-edge movement, All Ages shows have either no alcohol sales whatsoever, or sales are restricted through a system of wristbands or for patrons legally prohibited from consuming alcohol, generally as a large, black, "X" on the back of each hand. This symbol has been featured on many punk album covers, and the attendant term, "All Ages," was used as the title of a compilation album by North American punk icons Bad Religion. The term in this context does not denote a restriction on the thematic or lyrical content of the music.

See also

• Children's interests (rhetoric)
• Children's television series
• Content rating
• Family film
• Family values
• Very special episode

References

1. "Museums Put a New Emphasis on "Family-Friendly"". The New York Times. March 17, 2009.
2. "Family-Friendly Hotels". The New York Times. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
3. "Family-Friendly Restaurants". The New York Times. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
4. "Family-Friendly Hotels". Friendly-Hotels.com. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
5. "Family-Friendly Restaurants". Frommers.com. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
6. Ferreday, Debra (2011). "Reading Disorders: Online Suicide and the Death of Hope". In Coleman, Rebecca; Ferreday, Debra. Hope and Feminist Theory. Routledge. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-415-61852-6.
7. "Family-Friendly Walt Disney Co.". Reuters. September 12, 2007.
8. "Family-Friendly Nickelodeon". Courier Post. December 29, 2007.
9. "Family-Friendly Pixar". North Whales Chronicle. July 6, 2011.
10. "Coalition To Unveil Family-Friendly Agenda In Queens Speech". The Guardian. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
11. "Kids Stay And Eat Free". Holiday Inn. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
12. "Pet Friendly Hotel Chains". Friendly-Hotels.com. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
13. "STATE OF CENSORSHIP: UNABRIDGED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS". National Coalition Against Censorship.
14. Hal Boedeker (July 18, 1997). "He's A Goober But CBS Has A Lot Riding On Urkel TV". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 18, 2012.