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Army Wives

(Rated NR, Drama, Starring Kim Delaney, Sally Pressman, Brigid Brannagh, Where to watch: Lifetime Television, DVD, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Soapy drama about being married to the military.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Highlights many of the difficulties associated with living on an active Army post. While the wives (and husbands) of those serving must live by Army codes of conduct in public, within their own circle they're often secretive, catty, gossipy, and competitive. Issues range from adoption and surrogate motherhood to alcoholism, children abusing parents, and post traumatic stress disorder. The cast is primarily Caucasian, though the Burtons are African American. Roxy is from a lower-class background, while Claudia Joy grew up very privileged.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Disturbing images of teen son hitting/abusing his mother. News footage of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is sometimes visible. Children occasionally play with guns, tanks, and other military-type toys. Soldiers are sometimes seen working with or wielding guns. Physical fights between soldiers, some of whom are drunk or traumatized. Some violent incidents, like explosions.

  • Sex:

    Strong sexual innuendo and occasional simulated sex acts (including oral sex). Some skimpy underwear. Some of the wives discuss the various names for their vagina, talk about virginity, etc. Sex and infidelity are frequent topics of discussion.

  • Language:

    On the milder side: "ass," "damn," "hell," etc.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Frequent alcohol consumption. Lt. Colonel Burton is often seen drunk and acting wildly as a result of post traumatic stress. Roxy works at a local bar. Some underage drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Army Wives

Parents need to know that this drama about military spouses has strong sexual innuendo, some upsetting scenes of a teen physically abusing his mother, and lots of drinking (some in response to post traumatic stress), While current events in the Middle East provide a backdrop for the show, at its heart, the series is a fictional drama about life as an Army wife (or husband) -- not the current war.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the media portrays the military. In general, is it positive or negative? How can you tell? Do you think this show reinforces the general public's ideas about life in the Army or dispels them? Families can also discuss the challenges and benefits of living on a military post or base. Also, how do military families cope with having a loved one serving in a war zone? What can communities do to help these families?
Tools and tips that can help

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    watchmen
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    i love army wives so much im a big fan of army wives it really isn't inaprprite but it is a great drama.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Parent Reviewer
    gracieismysunshi ...
    Lives in Arkansas
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens

    I think this is a great show for adults and teenagers. I tivo it and watch it while my daughter takes a nap.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Adult Reviewer
    armyswife
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Sad and good show people how it goes!!!

    i am a army wife... this movie so much show me how wives/husbands feeling and children feeling, my husband is currently in iraq and im takin care of our daugther 1 month old. I learn so much from that movie.. I think it should help wives/husbands who never have been before with army husband. It would 100% help wives/husbands who never been with army who delopyment to iraq. it helpful to watch and see how thing goes on. I hope everything would help new wives/husbands with their delpoyment husband/wives. support our troops and pray our troops safe!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    bookworm123
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Not sure how realistic it is, but it's great TV!

    I'm not sure how realistic it is, but it's great TV! I can't wait till next season! Not only does this show emphasize the hardships of the enlisted and their spouses, but it also brings light to how the Iraq War has rocked the boat we call our country.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  5. Adult Reviewer
    hody272
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    The best summer show on TV

    I was active duty Air Force and married to an active duty Air Force Sergeant. While I do see a lot of creative license being taken (the XO's wife is probably not going to be great buddies with an E-2's wife), I see a lot of reality as well. I had friends from all walks of life and worked on projects with the wives of enlisted and officers alike. Yes, by the way we did buy our husband's deployment clothing supplies (me, just cause it was easier to buy mine and his together). The gossip can run rampant, and whether anyone wants to admit it or not, cheating is an issue not only with the ones left home, but the ones on deployment as well. Appropriate fodder for children? No. It would be a huge bore to them anyway. Yes, it's a soapy guilty pleasure for a Sunday night. :)

    This review...

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