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Dawson's Creek

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Where to watch: The N, TBS, Syndicated, DVD, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Mature, talky teens ponder life's complexities.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Responsible, conscientious teens strive to have good relationships. Rebellion and teen angst is left to specific characters. Pacey has an affair with his teacher; occasional teen partying is featured. Deals with a gay teen coming out.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The rare fist-fght or car crash is used to teach an overall lesson.

  • Sex:

    Sex is an ongoing, central issue throughout the series, and in its original run, the show had a bit of a racy reputation. Jen has a promiscuous past, and sex is taken seriously by all of the characters. Some episodes deal with teens losing their virginity. Both heterosexual and homosexual relationships are dealt with.

  • Language:

    Relatively mild on the swearing front: "damn," "hell," "bitch," "ass," etc. More significant is the constant dialogue among the characters to work out issues or express feelings in a mature, articulate manner.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Occasional teen drinking, but consequences and/or discipline is usually the result.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Dawson's Creek

Parents need to know that this series is all about teens who have a mature/adult vocabulary and general worldview (and quite the knack for pop culture references). As it follows them through high school and into college, the show deals with "typical" teen issues like sex, first loves, drinking, sexual orientation, depression, cheating in school, and parents' divorce. Of those, sex is probably one of the biggest themes; it's a frequent topic of discussion -- as well as action. Teens will likely find the characters' vocabulary, critical analysis, and maturity either inspiring or alienating.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how teens feel this series relates to more current teen programming. Are the experiences the characters go through still accurate or relatable? Can teens describe how they might handle one of the situations dealt with in the series? Do they feel like the characters on the show are realistic reflections of other teens they know? Do any of their friends talk like Dawson, Pacey, Joey, and Jen?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    gilmored6
    Lives in Vermont
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Great coming of age show!!!

    To be completely honest i started watching this show when i was quite young like ten and i didn't really get all of the sex references however i really wouldn't say 14 and older. i would say 12 and older because it is not that bad and the show itself is really good

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    fr0stedshad0w
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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