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It's Not Easy Being Green

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Brit family works together to live greener life.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The Strawbridge family is committed to going green, and they offer some educational information on the different ways they're accomplishing their goals. They're willing to work hard in order to live green. The family is close knit, and the kids are very supportive of their parents' efforts to live green.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Frustrated moments sometimes lead to some mild disagreements between family members. James talks about using "guerilla tactics" to convince his university to recycle. Discussion of slaughtering farm animals for food -- when it takes place, it's done off-screen, but the carcasses are shown.

  • Sex:

    James Strawbridge occasionally works shirtless, and his underwear occasionally pokes out of his pants.

  • Language:

    Words like "idiot," "hell," and "piss" are occasionally used.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    James talks about being slightly hung over after drinking wine with his friends. Dick offers his friends a "pint" after a hard day's work. Images of empty wine bottles.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About It's Not Easy Being Green

Parents need to know that this British documentary series -- which follows a family that moves from the suburbs to an old farmhouse in an attempt to live a greener, more self-sufficient (but still modern) lifestyle -- promotes some very positive environmental messages and shows the hard work and sacrifices that people sometimes have to make to be more eco-friendly. There's some occasional strong language (mostly of the "piss" and "hell" variety) and some mild disagreements between family members. There are also a few references to drinking, as well as images of empty wine bottles.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the growing trend to "go green" and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. It is realistic to think that families can completely change their lives to be more eco friendly? Do you think TV shows like this will inspire people to make greener choices? How can the media cover issues like environmentalism without being too academic or preachy? Families can also discuss what changes they could make at home to become more environmentally friendly. Are there any projects your family can work on to make your lives greener?
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