Re: restrictions on certain TV programmes
I think its perfectly alright for parents to put some restrictions on what their kids watch on the television (age appropriate stuff), however, its usually expected that both parents (mother and father) are in sync as to what they are doing.
Also, I am kinda curious as to the progression here. As kids grow older, some of the programs that were deemed inappropriate due to their young age, may become permissible. It usually not the other way round, where something was fine last year, but became inappropriate the next. However, this is something parents have to constantly calibrate, because after watching a program for one season they may decide that it is, after all, unsuitable for kids.
blossom, there are many reasons why a parent may deem a program inappropriate for kids. Vulgarity is one, and is usually easier to identify. Violence is another. My kids used to watch Power Rangers and I noticed that all the non-stop fighting sequences in that program was making the kids needlessly physical with frequent punching and boxing etc. So we scrapped that program from their viewing list (they did protest), but we explained our reasons, and after that there was a marked difference in kids' actions. One other reason could be that a program seems like a genuine waste of time. Your kids being 11 and 12, are old enough for you guys to sit down with them and have a discussion why you believe certain programs are inappropriate.
By the way, my kids are 11, 9 and 8; and for the last 3 seasons, American Idol is part of our family time. It gives exposure to the kids on various genres of music, some all time great songs and singers as well as the program is genuinely entertaining, IMO. Plus, its one of those programs which interests all of us, as opposed to many other programs that are either focused only on kids or only on adults.
Hope it helps.