
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 22, 1993                   TAG: 9306220360
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

`JURASSIC PARK' PUTS BITE ON PARENTS

AS THE MOTHER of two small children, I'm outraged at toy manufacturers for their release of the new "Jurassic Park" toys. The movie was given a PG-13 rating; however, the toys being sold are targeted to a much younger audience. How many teen-agers actually play with action figures and plastic dinosaurs?

My 3-year-old son has asked to see the movie. I've explained that it would probably frighten him and that the dinosaurs depicted in the movie are not cute and cuddly like "Barney." He generally trusts my judgment, but what about the parents of 5- to 10-year-olds who purchase some of these toys and are then asked by the children to see the movie?

Shame on the movie and marketing industries for putting this pressure on parents. Some people will do anything for a buck, even if it's at the expense of frightening young children. DAWN M. PLYMALE SALEM

by CNB