My husband and I have watched this show since the pilot episode. It is NOT for kids under 17 -- the messages are too complicated and mature. There's enough smoking to make you get lung cancer through the television! But that's all within the 1960 context -- actually everything is within that time period, including all the sexual behavior, harrassment, treating of women, etc. It is an excellent view of some demographics of the past, and really makes you think about the present and how people treat each other today. The show is mainly a character treatment, so you have to stick with watching episode after episode to fully enjoy the show.
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Mad Men
(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Where to watch: AMC, DVD)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Ads and anxiety in 1960s office drama for adults.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Mad Men
Parents need to know that this complex drama set in the 1960s depicts cultural practices that wouldn't be acceptable today, such as frequent sexual harassment in the office, as well as near-constant smoking and drinking (with characters sometimes appearing intoxicated). Old-fashioned gender dynamics are at play, but these gender dynamics are probed forcefully, and viewers feel the impact of conflicting expectations for young women who are both shamed for their sexuality and expected to provide easy access to sex to their superiors. Women and men frequently have sex, though only before and after scenes are shown.
Read our full review by Sierra Filucci
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the world depicted in the show. How accurately do you think it portrays the '60s? Families can also discuss advertising. How does advertising affect your daily life? Are there any brands you feel loyal to? How do you think the advertisers created your loyalty? Do you have any favorite ads or ad campaigns? Do you notice any differences between the type of advertising depicted in the show and the kind you see today?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
great show for adults only
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
A Gift to intelligent parents
This is not a show for young kids, but it does seem relevant to teens who are adrift in the complexity of todays sexual landscape. The shock of the old gives perspective to girls who need to know how hard fought the battle was for feminism. And it's refreshing, although complex, for young men to understand what is appropriate, what is masculinity etc. I also feel that the show seems to elevate the discussion of sexuality and fidelity. The characters seem to be probing true human emotions and desires and still none of the actual interactions seems glib or shallow or girls gone wild. These people are tortured by their choices. My teens have downloaded it from itunes and I think it's caused a lot of discussion on those topics.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
its called mad men its good for kids in teens
thers no sexx or reletion ships like kissing or joyoj
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