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life as we know it (ABC)

common sense media says

Shallow hormonal show about sex, sex, and sex.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this show is all about how boys want to have sex. In the pilot a teacher flirts with a student and shows him her breasts, a mother has an affair with her son's hockey coach, and all three boys who star obsess about having sex. And this is just the first episode. In addition, kids drink with no consequences and urge a kid to steal his parents' wine.

Positive messages: Despite an attempt to make the kids do the right thing, the aggressive boy sexuality overwhelms.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: All about sex, including teacher/student sex and parental infidelity.
Language: Frank sex talk about getting laid and how to make girls beg for it.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Underage drinking with no consequences.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on life as we know it

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether sex has any meaning other than as achievement or trophy. Also, you might want to discuss marital infidelity and Dino's anger with his mother.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Hormonal show LIFE AS WE KNOW IT centers on three boys -- Dino, the jock, Jonathan, the artist, and Ben the brain -- who have only one thing in common: all they think about is sex. Dino wants to take his girlfriend's virginity because "No matter what else, I will always know I was there first," while Ben sees his literature teacher's breasts, then almost kisses her, then almost swoons as she handles a stick shift in her car. The closest we get to a sympathetic character is Jonathan, who, in spite of hating to be teased, still chooses to go out with the fat girl he really likes (who is beautifully and engagingly acted by Kelly Osbourne).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

life as we know it is rated TV-14, but if your kids aren't having sex, this hardly seems like the kind of peer role modeling messages you want them to absorb. Girls talk about being sluts and buy red sexy underwear, while boys talk about how to get girls to beg them to have sex. Girls also put their feet in boys' crotches in science class, causing erections and immediate departures to the restroom. There's also a running "joke" about who the boys would rather sleep with, their mothers or their fathers.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: ABC
Cast: Chris Lowell, Jon Foster, Sean Faris
Genre: Drama
Where to watch: ABC
This review was written by Liz Perle
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

katara_*
teen, 18 years old
 
come on it's just a show...put more to it!
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (10)
EspumaMarina
teen, 15 years old
2
 
Irritating..
I'm sick of the S-word. And I'm tired of shows constantly talking about it. It can make some teens that are in the 'mood' assume "well everyone's doing it, its so common" -I said SOME teens, not all. This show is gone... right? I'm frankly sick of stars in 'high school' shows (when they probably didn't even GO to public High School) yes, it can get dramatic, but they completely over do it.
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smiling212
adult
 
I love this show
This was a great show.. some people say it's not good for their kids then I say DONT LET THEM WATCH IT THEN.. They shouldnt take a good show off the air just bc some parents dont want their kids to hear about sex.. they watch mtv dont they!!
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erinsmith2003
adult
 
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (10)
kac7
teen, 18 years old
13
 
One of the Best Shows for Teens
This is a very good show! It does have a bit of sexual content but is very realistic. Probably for kids 12 and over. The show really deserved more than just its one season. Teens should be able to relate to it and adults should also enjoy it.
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Forknose
adult
 
Seems like school
This show seems like everbody's circle. I don't have much of a circle, maybe my circle would be like this if I weren't getting A's and if I had a good outlook on this "high" (joke) school thing. Yes I hear lots of sex talk and swearing and other junk at my school overrun by gothics and poseur punks. But anyway this show is reminiscent of the things I hear at high school. Since I highly dislike going there, why on earth would I give a show that completely reminds me of the place a good rating?
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webmaster
adult
 
We MUST take down this show, and its advertisers
It sickens me to see what this society has become. It just doesn't have to be this way. Make a stand, help us all begin to bring back the respect and decency of and to our children and teens. It is NOT going to just happen. It is going to take some serious changes and work on all of our daily activities.
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blondie81883
adult
 
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (8)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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