Children and the Living Dead

[MagicMoonMonkey]

There was a time when the issue of children and the living dead never even crossed my mind. That was in my golden days when I fended off the wife's demands for a family quite valiantly. Now 5 years later and 1 kid + another cooking in the preverbial oven for 7 months thus far, I can't indulge in my undead apocalyptic fetish without wondering uneasily about the children during a Romeroesque event as witnessed in his movies. It actually makes me feel unwell when I indulge in a moment, and the anguish sets in because the reality is that I am a father and how would I react if such an unlikely, nay, impossible event was to happen. My little apocalyptic day dreams are forever ruined as a result. Within the novel WWZ, there resides a chapter where a feral girl recalls the moments when the undead overwhelm the defences of the parental refuge and swarm upon the mothers and children harboured within. The images portrayed during the final pages of that particular chapter really did make me put the book down, and for a few hours thought, never look upon it again. I did however carry on and regard that particular piece of Undead Fiction as nothing short of brilliant. As what could only be described as the hardcore fanbase of the Romero Undead Universe, I ask you all this... How does it make you feel during your moments and daydreams when the child element is introduced in to your apocalyptic fantasy?

[sandrock74]

God, I thought you meant that horrible-ass movie from a decade or so back! Ugh! Actually, I haven't thought much of it one way or the other. Kids would suffer the same as adults, plain and simple. It sucks, but what can you do?

[zombieparanoia]

"Son, you have to shoot them in the head. No, thats the crotch, aim higher." Whats the big deal? Its just another thing to add on, Don't talk to strangers, don't do drugs and always aim for the head if you're fighting a zombie. Hell, I'll probably teach my kids that anyways.

[Neil]

There was a time when the issue of children and the living dead never even crossed my mind. That was in my golden days when I fended off the wife's demands for a family quite valiantly. Now 5 years later and 1 kid + another cooking in the preverbial oven for 7 months thus far, I can't indulge in my undead apocalyptic fetish without wondering uneasily about the children during a Romeroesque event as witnessed in his movies. It actually makes me feel unwell when I indulge in a moment, and the anguish sets in because the reality is that I am a father and how would I react if such an unlikely, nay, impossible event was to happen. My little apocalyptic day dreams are forever ruined as a result. Within the novel WWZ, there resides a chapter where a feral girl recalls the moments when the undead overwhelm the defences of the parental refuge and swarm upon the mothers and children harboured within. The images portrayed during the final pages of that particular chapter really did make me put the book down, and for a few hours thought, never look upon it again. I did however carry on and regard that particular piece of Undead Fiction as nothing short of brilliant. As what could only be described as the hardcore fanbase of the Romero Undead Universe, I ask you all this... How does it make you feel during your moments and daydreams when the child element is introduced in to your apocalyptic fantasy? Yes, I've had scenarios swimming around my dreamy head at times involving my kids... Not pleasant... Stuck in a dead end, just you and one of your kids, knowing the end was going to come to both, and what you'd with those final few moments....

[Crappingbear]

I'd kill them all. Thats pretty much it. They get me or I get them. Nobody hurts animals or kids when I am around so its always the Alamo. If the kids or puppys get hurt it means Im already dead and can't help them. But, in the meantime there is a whole lotta retirement of the opposition going on.

[Neil]

I'd kill them all. Thats pretty much it. They get me or I get them. Nobody hurts animals or kids when I am around so its always the Alamo. If the kids or puppys get hurt it means Im already dead and can't help them. But, in the meantime there is a whole lotta retirement of the opposition going on. Fair enough - My mind would always wander though to the best end of the child... Quick before I die, or eaten alone after I die... It's a horrible contemplation!

[Thorn]

It is a very hard thing to imagine. I like the OP never thought about it much until I had a child, kids in the dead movies were more funny to me like the kids in the airport during Dawn. I also read the book WWZ and it was one that strikes a nerve. However I am not one to give up hope easily, I would defend my daughter to the end. I feel you have the added motivation to succeed and that could actually push you to be even better in bad situations. Some without kids might say having a kid around would be a distraction, I do not know. Maybe to an extent but the alternative which is "putting them out of their misery to spare them the horrors of the zombie world" s not REALLY an option. Not for me. So I would make do, and redouble my efforts to protect us as we made our way through the zombie infested world. I like to think I am a good parent, and a natural survivor. I have no doubt I would find a way to make a go of it and my daughter is bright even at age 7 I know I could count on her to listen to me and that is the key part. In our Romero films so many deaths are brought on by stupidity and people not thinking or listening. I think we would have as good a chance as anyone else in our situation. It would be horrible though. As a parent you try to shield your child and protect their innocence for as long as possible, you tell them just enough about the world and it's harsh realities to keep them safe but you want to ensure they remain kids. As adults that is a unique and important job we have and I do not take it lightly.

[Neil]

It is a very hard thing to imagine. I like the OP never thought about it much until I had a child, kids in the dead movies were more funny to me like the kids in the airport during Dawn. I also read the book WWZ and it was one that strikes a nerve. However I am not one to give up hope easily, I would defend my daughter to the end. I feel you have the added motivation to succeed and that could actually push you to be even better in bad situations. Some without kids might say having a kid around would be a distraction, I do not know. Maybe to an extent but the alternative which is "putting them out of their misery to spare them the horrors of the zombie world" s not REALLY an option. Not for me. So I would make do, and redouble my efforts to protect us as we made our way through the zombie infested world. I like to think I am a good parent, and a natural survivor. I have no doubt I would find a way to make a go of it and my daughter is bright even at age 7 I know I could count on her to listen to me and that is the key part. In our Romero films so many deaths are brought on by stupidity and people not thinking or listening. I think we would have as good a chance as anyone else in our situation. It would be horrible though. As a parent you try to shield your child and protect their innocence for as long as possible, you tell them just enough about the world and it's harsh realities to keep them safe but you want to ensure they remain kids. As adults that is a unique and important job we have and I do not take it lightly. I've often thought of children in Romero's universe. You don't see them often.... Infact my fiction contribution 'The Midas Touch' has a couple of kids in it...

[Rancid Carcass]

I don't have any children myself but I do have plenty of nieces and nephews just to complicate matters. Actually my biggest worry would be trying to stop my nephew grabbing a lawnmower and plowing his way through the nearest horde of zombies like he does in Dead Rising - Carjacking and murder is one thing, but games that teach kids that a Megaman costume and a carton of orange juice are going to get you through the zombie apocalyse is just downright irresponsible! I think the time has come to sit him down and have that little chat about the Zeds and the Bees...

[darth los]

It is a very hard thing to imagine. I like the OP never thought about it much until I had a child, kids in the dead movies were more funny to me like the kids in the airport during Dawn. As we all contemplate this issue, it puts in perspective what Peter must have been going through mentally during that scene. True, it was either them or him but he seemed disgusted and heartbroken noe the less. Dawn has a few profound moments such as that one which is one of the reasons, imo, it's the best zombie film ever.

[Neil]

As we all contemplate this issue, it puts in perspective what Peter must have been going through mentally during that scene. True, it was either them or him but he seemed disgusted and heartbroken noe the less. Dawn has a few profound moments such as that one which is one of the reasons, imo, it's the best zombie film ever. It's interesting that we don't see young children being attacked/killed often in zombie films. I suspect it's one of those generally accepted 'we don't really want to go there' rules...

[MagicMoonMonkey]

I'd kill them all. Thats pretty much it. They get me or I get them. Nobody hurts animals or kids when I am around so its always the Alamo. If the kids or puppys get hurt it means Im already dead and can't help them. But, in the meantime there is a whole lotta retirement of the opposition going on. In no way am I questioning your survival abilities, but what I was trying to convey was the despair inside should you fail to defend them during your apocalyptic fantasy. In WWZ, the defenders of the church - and ultimately those unable to defend themselves, the children within - were made up of police, the fathers of the children inside and other assorted civilians. They failed and the walking dead advanced on their children. The true horror of that chapter was the lengths some mothers went to ensure the children died before the undead got them. CB, could you do the unthinkable if you knew you were doomed? How do you feel at that thought? It's interesting that we don't see young children being attacked/killed often in zombie films. I suspect it's one of those generally accepted 'we don't really want to go there' rules... I honestly wouldn't want to see that in a movie, although it is evident that it would happen in the Romeroverse. Do you remember the teaser trailer for - Day of the Dead 2? It had the the baby crying and then, well... The crying stopped and we saw the zombie feed. (sometimes I wonder if there was a totally different script and idea for what ultimately transpired to be a poo masquarading as a movie). I am sure DJ's movie has a scene where the undead are feeding from a pram. All very horrible images and scenarios. Every year, something like 73,000,000 babies are born worldwide (56,500,000 people of all ages die annually to those interested). Imagine if we awaken tomorrow in the undead world created by Romero, that would work out at 750,000,000 children under the age of 10 unable to defend themselves, worldwide. Imagine how many of those dependants would be killed by their own parents. The whole notion of children and the living dead is truelly the most horrific element of our much loved genre, and I wonder if those instances were portrayed on screen would we love this genre as much as we did? I would also ask you the same question as I posed CB. Could you do the unthinkable to prevent your children suffer at the hands of a goul? Bear in mind, we are all not zombie killing machines and we would undoubtebly succumb to their advance.

[Neil]

In no way am I questioning your survival abilities, but what I was trying to convey was the despair inside should you fail to defend them during your apocalyptic fantasy. In WWZ, the defenders of the church - and ultimately those unable to defend themselves, the children within - were made up of police, the fathers of the children inside and other assorted civilians. They failed and the walking dead advanced on their children. The true horror of that chapter was the lengths some mothers went to ensure the children died before the undead got them. CB, could you do the unthinkable if you knew you were doomed? How do you feel at that thought? I honestly wouldn't want to see that in a movie, although it is evident that it would happen in the Romeroverse. Do you remember the teaser trailer for - Day of the Dead 2? It had the the baby crying and then, well... The crying stopped and we saw the zombie feed. (sometimes I wonder if there was a totally different script and idea for what ultimately transpired to be a poo masquarading as a movie). I am sure DJ's movie has a scene where the undead are feeding from a pram. All very horrible images and scenarios. Every year, something like 73,000,000 babies are born worldwide (56,500,000 people of all ages die annually to those interested). Imagine if we awaken tomorrow in the undead world created by Romero, that would work out at 750,000,000 children under the age of 10 unable to defend themselves, worldwide. Imagine how many of those dependants would be killed by their own parents. The whole notion of children and the living dead is truelly the most horrific element of our much loved genre, and I wonder if those instances were portrayed on screen would we love this genre as much as we did? I would also ask you the same question as I posed CB. Could you do the unthinkable to prevent your children suffer at the hands of a goul? Bear in mind, we are all not zombie killing machines and we would undoubtebly succumb to their advance. Imagine an infant unit (newly borns) in a hospital... In the end there'd either be no one there to staff it, or something worse there instead to 'look after' them

[Publius]

Fair enough - My mind would always wander though to the best end of the child... Quick before I die, or eaten alone after I die... It's a horrible contemplation! Reminds me of the ending of the movie version of Stephen King's The Mist. Also (from what I hear) there will be a scene in The Road dealing with similar questions -- the father making sure the son knows how to use the revolver.

[Thorn]

I've often thought of children in Romero's universe. You don't see them often.... Infact my fiction contribution 'The Midas Touch' has a couple of kids in it... Just read it and it is very well done. Do not want to ruin anything so I will reserve comments for another time.. Imagine an infant unit (newly borns) in a hospital... In the end there'd either be no one there to staff it, or something worse there instead to 'look after' them Horrifying thought, and it would make for quite the grisly visual on film.