Young Woman and the Sea Parents Guide: Plot, Content Warnings and Age Rating

Thinking about taking your kids to see Young Woman and the Sea? Let’s dive into this Young Woman and the Sea Parents Guide to see everything you need to know about this inspiring 2024 drama that’s making waves in theaters.

Young Woman and the Sea tells the incredible true story of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Set in the roaring 1920s, this film captures the spirit of a young athlete who dared to challenge the limits placed on women of her time.

Now, before we plunge deeper, here’s a quick glance at the essentials:

Young Woman and the Sea Plot

Young Woman and the Sea isn’t just Hollywood magic – it’s based on the real-life achievements of Gertrude Ederle. Born in 1905, Trudy was a natural in the water from a young age. She went on to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming before setting her sights on an even bigger challenge: the English Channel.

In 1926, at just 20 years old, Trudy became the first woman to swim across the Channel. Not only did she break the gender barrier, but she also smashed the existing record by almost two hours! Talk about girl power, right?

Young Woman and the Sea Parents Guide: Is It Family-Friendly?

With its PG rating, Young Woman and the Sea is positioned as a family-friendly film. However, let’s break down what that rating means for your viewing experience:

Positive Themes:

• Perseverance and determination
• Breaking gender barriers
• The power of family support
• Chasing your dreams against all odds

Potential Concerns:

• Thematic elements (likely related to historical attitudes and challenges)
• Some language (probably mild, given the PG rating)
• Partial nudity (likely in the context of 1920s swimwear)
• Intense swimming scenes (possible peril)

Young Woman and the Sea Age Recommendation

The PG rating makes this film suitable for most family viewers. It’s an excellent choice for children aged 8 and up. For kids under 8, parents should use their discretion, considering their child’s sensitivity to intense scenes and ability to understand historical context.

What Parents Should Know

1. Historical Context: Set in the 1920s, the movie will showcase some outdated attitudes, especially regarding women’s roles in society. This could be a great conversation starter with your kids about how far we’ve come.
2. Swimming Intensity: Expect some intense scenes in the water, particularly during Trudy’s Channel swim. If your kids are sensitive to depictions of struggle or danger, you might want to preview the film first.
3. Inspirational Factor: This is a story about breaking barriers and achieving the impossible. It’s got “motivational poster” written all over it – in the best way possible.
4. Body Image and Partial Nudity: The movie will show swimming scenes with 1920s-appropriate swimwear. This could be a good opportunity to discuss how athletic bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and how strength is more important than appearance.
5. Family Dynamics: Trudy’s relationship with her family, especially her father, played a big role in her success. The movie will likely explore these relationships, offering a chance to talk about the importance of family support in achieving one’s goals.

Conversation Starters

After the credits roll, why not keep the discussion going? Here are some questions to get you started:

• What challenges did Trudy face that modern athletes might not have to deal with?
• If you could set a world record in something, what would it be?
• How do you think Trudy’s family felt about her swimming the Channel? Would you be supportive if someone in our family wanted to do something that risky?
• What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever accomplished? How did it feel when you succeeded?

FAQs About Young Woman and the Sea

Is Young Woman and the Sea based on a true story?
Absolutely! The film is based on the real-life achievements of Gertrude Ederle, who made history as the first woman to swim across the English Channel in 1926.

What is Young Woman and the Sea based on specifically?
The movie draws inspiration from the book “Young Woman and the Sea: How Trudy Ederle Conquered the English Channel and Inspired the World” by Glenn Stout. It chronicles Trudy’s journey from young swimming prodigy to her record-breaking Channel swim.

Did Gertrude Ederle get married?
Interestingly, Gertrude Ederle never married. She dedicated much of her life to teaching deaf children how to swim, having experienced hearing loss herself due to childhood measles.

Who was the first woman to cross the English Channel?
That would be our movie’s heroine, Gertrude Ederle! She completed the swim on August 6, 1926, in 14 hours and 31 minutes, beating the men’s record by almost two hours.

How did Gertrude Ederle hurt her back?
Ederle suffered a back injury in 1933 when she fell down a flight of stairs. This injury ended her competitive swimming career, but didn’t dampen her spirit – she went on to teach swimming for many years.

What did Gertrude Ederle do for a living?
After her swimming career, Ederle worked as a swimming instructor, focusing on teaching deaf children. She also made appearances related to her Channel swim and briefly worked in vaudeville.

If Young Woman and the Sea sparks an interest in swimming or women’s sports history, here are some ways to keep the learning going:

1. Visit a local pool or beach: Encourage your kids to try swimming themselves. Who knows? You might have a future Olympian on your hands!
2. Read about other pioneering women in sports: From Billie Jean King in tennis to Simone Biles in gymnastics, there are tons of inspiring stories out there.
3. Watch documentaries about the 1920s: Understanding the era can help put Trudy’s achievements into perspective.
4. Try a family fitness challenge: Set a goal and work towards it together, just like Trudy and her family did.

Young Woman and the Sea isn’t just a movie about swimming – it’s a story about breaking barriers, chasing dreams, and the power of determination. In an age where kids are bombarded with filtered Instagram posts and overnight TikTok sensations, this film offers a refreshing look at what real achievement looks like: hard work, setbacks, and the courage to keep going when things get tough.

It’s also a timely reminder of how far we’ve come in terms of gender equality, and how much we owe to pioneers like Trudy Ederle. For young viewers, especially girls, seeing a true story of a woman literally diving into a male-dominated field (or channel, in this case) can be incredibly empowering.

The Verdict

So, should you take your kids to see Young Woman and the Sea? If they’re old enough to handle some tense swimming scenes and appreciate a historical setting, then absolutely! This movie offers a perfect blend of excitement, inspiration, and important life lessons.

It’s the kind of film that might just inspire your kids to dream big, work hard, and maybe even take up swimming. At the very least, it’ll give them a new appreciation for what it means to be a trailblazer – and isn’t that what great movies are all about?

Where to Watch You Woman and the Sea

Young Woman and the Sea is set for theatrical release on May 31, 2024. Check your local cinema listings for showtimes. As it’s distributed by Disney, we can expect it to make a splash on Disney+ a few months after its theatrical run, though the exact streaming date isn’t confirmed yet.

Young Woman and the Sea promises to be more than just another sports movie. It’s a celebration of human spirit, a glimpse into an important moment in history, and a reminder that with enough determination, anything is possible.

So grab your popcorn, settle into those cinema seats, and get ready to be inspired. Who knows? This might just be the movie that turns your kid into the next record-breaking swimmer – or at least gets them excited about their next trip to the pool!

Remember, movies like this are great opportunities to bond with your kids and have meaningful conversations. So after the credits roll, take some time to chat about what you’ve seen. You might be surprised at the insights your young ones come up with!

Now, who’s ready to dive into this cinematic adventure? The water’s fine, and Young Woman and the Sea is calling!