What to Expect When You're Expecting Movie Parents Guide

The movie What to Expect When You’re Expecting is a light-hearted romantic comedy that revolves around the various challenges, surprises, and joys of pregnancy. Released in 2012, the film is based on the best-selling pregnancy guide by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel. With an ensemble cast that includes Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, and Ben Falcone, the movie offers a humorous yet heartwarming portrayal of the ups and downs of becoming parents.

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For families considering watching this film with their older teens or young adults, it’s important to understand what to expect in terms of content. The movie touches on themes of pregnancy, parenthood, relationships, and the struggles that come with them. However, it also includes some mature content that might not be appropriate for all audiences. In this parent’s guide, we’ll break down the film’s content to help you decide whether it’s suitable for your family viewing.

Overview of the Movie

What to Expect When You’re Expecting follows the intertwined stories of five couples at different stages of their parenthood journeys. From first-time parents to couples dealing with adoption, the movie explores their emotional and sometimes funny experiences with pregnancy.

The film’s narrative is organized around several main storylines:

Jules (Cameron Diaz) – A fitness guru who unexpectedly finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand.
Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) – A woman who is struggling with infertility and turns to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Holly (Jennifer Lopez) – A woman who is adopting a child from Ethiopia with her husband.
Gary (Ben Falcone) and Rosie (Anna Kendrick) – A couple experiencing the trials of parenthood.
Evan (Matthew Morrison) – A man who is trying to support his partner in her pregnancy.

These interconnected stories serve as a reflection of how everyone experiences pregnancy and parenthood differently, filled with humor and heartfelt moments.

What to Expect: Content Breakdown

While What to Expect When You’re Expecting is largely a comedy, there are a number of mature themes and content elements that parents should consider before watching the film with younger viewers. Below is a detailed breakdown of what you can expect in terms of language, sexual content, violence, and other important factors.

Language

The language used in What to Expect When You’re Expecting is typical for a romantic comedy with some mature themes. While the film doesn’t rely heavily on profanity, it does include occasional strong language, which may not be suitable for younger audiences. Expect the following types of language:

Moderate swearing: Words like “damn,” “hell,” and “bitch” are used in a few scenes.
Mild expletives: “Ass,” “pissed,” and other similar words are used sparingly.
Sexual references: There are several jokes and references related to sex and body parts. These jokes are often playful but may not be appropriate for all ages.

Sexual Content

As with many romantic comedies, What to Expect When You’re Expecting includes scenes with sexual content and innuendos. These moments are generally presented humorously but can still be a concern for younger viewers or those sensitive to such themes. Here are some of the notable examples of sexual content:

References to pregnancy and conception: The film deals with pregnancy and conception in a frank and sometimes comedic way. There are discussions about the challenges of becoming pregnant, IVF treatments, and the awkwardness of certain pregnancy-related symptoms.
Partial nudity: Some characters are seen in revealing or suggestive outfits. There are no explicit sex scenes, but the film does depict a scene where characters are in bed together.
Jokes about fertility: There are a few jokes about IVF and infertility, including humor that might be awkward for certain audiences.
A few suggestive scenes: In one instance, characters make sexual jokes or allude to their bedroom activities.

Parents should be aware of these moments, especially if they plan to watch the movie with teens or pre-teens.

Violence

There is no explicit violence in What to Expect When You’re Expecting, as it is a romantic comedy. However, there are some mild physical moments that might be jarring for younger audiences:

Mild slapstick: Some physical comedy is involved, such as when characters are accidentally injured during moments of stress or awkwardness. These are not serious injuries but might be concerning to sensitive viewers.
Emotional distress: Some of the characters experience emotional stress, which might be upsetting to more sensitive viewers. For example, Wendy’s infertility struggles and Holly’s emotional challenges with adoption are depicted in a realistic but sensitive manner.

Emotional Themes and Situations

The movie explores several serious emotional themes related to parenthood, which can resonate deeply with adult audiences. However, some of these situations may be overwhelming or confusing for younger viewers. Here are some of the emotional themes depicted in the film:

Infertility and loss: Wendy’s struggles with infertility and the emotional toll it takes on her and her husband are a central plotline. While the movie balances this with humor, it does explore the pain and frustration that come with not being able to conceive naturally.
Adoption: Holly and her husband’s journey to adopt a child from Ethiopia is heartwarming but also includes emotional and bureaucratic challenges.
Pregnancy complications: The characters’ pregnancies are filled with highs and lows. The film doesn’t shy away from the difficulties and surprises that can arise during pregnancy, including physical ailments, mood swings, and unexpected complications.
Relationship strain: Many of the characters experience tension in their relationships as they prepare for parenthood. The film portrays how pregnancy can test couples, with a focus on the balance between humor and reality.

Drug and Alcohol Use

There is limited drug and alcohol use in What to Expect When You’re Expecting, but it is present in some scenes. The following are examples:

Drinking: Characters are seen drinking alcohol socially in several scenes. There is also a scene where a character gets drunk at a party.
Prescription drugs: Wendy’s character is depicted taking medications related to her IVF treatments, but it is not presented in a negative or glorifying manner.

Potential Concern for Young Viewers

While the movie is rated PG-13, it is important for parents to consider the maturity of their children before allowing them to watch the film. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Mature humor: The movie contains humor that revolves around pregnancy, relationships, and parenthood, which may not be appropriate for younger audiences. Some jokes may be too adult or too mature for children, especially regarding fertility, sexual health, and childbirth.
Relationship dynamics: The movie explores adult themes of romance, marriage, and fertility. These are issues that young children or pre-teens might not be ready to fully understand.
Sensitive topics: Topics like infertility, loss, and the struggles of adopting a child may be upsetting or difficult for younger viewers to process.

**Conclusion: Is What to Expect When You’re Expecting Family-Friendly?**

What to Expect When You’re Expecting is a light-hearted movie that blends humor with emotional moments, making it appealing to older teens and adults. The film’s PG-13 rating is appropriate for its content, which includes mature themes, some sexual content, strong language, and alcohol use.

For parents, the decision of whether this movie is suitable for family viewing depends on the age and maturity level of the child or teenager in question. While the movie doesn’t contain explicit violence or overly graphic content, it does explore complex emotional and physical themes associated with pregnancy and parenthood. These elements, along with the occasional use of strong language and sexual references, make it more suitable for teens and older audiences rather than younger children.

Ultimately, What to Expect When You’re Expecting can be an entertaining and enlightening watch for families with older teens who are ready for more mature content. Parents should weigh the emotional depth and mature themes in the film before making a decision on whether it’s appropriate for their children to watch.

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