Parents' Guide to

Sons of Anarchy

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Violent biker drama has blood, sex -- and a twisted heart.

TV FX Drama 2008
Sons of Anarchy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 15+

Based on 19 parent reviews

bonnbonn1989
bonnbonn1989 Parent of 1-year-old
April 5, 2019
age 18+

Not for Minors

My husband and I love this show and still watch it often even though the series has ended, HOWEVER, it is most definitely NOT suitable for young children or immature teenagers. Definitely know your child before allowing them to watch. The show features excessive drinking, drug use, extreme violence, physical and emotional abuse, rape, murder, illegal gun trade, porn, lots and lots of sex, blackmail, racism (the gangs are divided by race and follow stereotypes), kidnapping (the main character's infant son is kidnapped), and corrupt politicians and law enforcement. Even the law enforcement agents that come into the show being the "good guys" end up willingly helping out the SOA by the end of their time on the show. No one is really exempt. I think the show does a great job of portraying the gang world as accurately as it can (obviously there are things we can only speculate about since we're not in a gang). It's not an easy or nice way of life and Sons of Anarchy portrays that well.
9a93863e-bef8-4e91-a8df-c626d7617b3a
9a93863e-bef8-4e91-a8df-c626d7617b3a Adult
May 17, 2024
age 16+

Good but to pervert

Im 14 and watched this Show with my dad.It is very good it is way too pervert.Much nsfw Scenes and pervert Language.

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What's the Story?

At the heart of SONS OF ANARCHY is Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), a father of two who questions his outlaw lifestyle and wants to restore the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club to his late father's vision. But Jax's mother, Gemma (Katey Sagal), and stepfather, Clay (Ron Perlman), are threatened by the idea that Jax might be considering a new direction, which could jeopardize the business they've worked -- and killed -- to build.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (19 ):
Kids say (22 ):

Although the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club is headquartered in the town of Charming, Calif., regular viewers know that the town's name is as ironic as it gets. Although the characters are complex and often compelling, "charming" is one thing they're not. They drink, they swear, they kill. But, beneath the crude-talking, murderous exterior, Sons of Anarchy actually does have a heart -- the only catch is, it's kind of twisted.

So, Sons won't be for everyone. But those who don't mind rooting for bad guys who are actually kind of good guys (yet are still, by very definition, bad guys) will find a potentially addicting show fueled by stunning plot twists, critically acclaimed performances (Sagal nabbed a Golden Globe for her work), and loose ties to William Shakespeare's Hamlet -- which could very well foreshadow these characters' fates.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about biker gangs -- how they are in real life and the way they're typically portrayed in movies and television. Does Sons of Anarchy show these gangs in a new light or maintain the general stereotype that bikers are criminals? Why do bikers tend to be demonized?

  • How is an antihero different from a traditional hero? Is it possible to care about a character who isn't sympathetic or likable in the traditional sense? What, if anything, makes Sons of Anarchy's characters worth your time?

  • How closely does Sons of Anarchy adhere to Shakespeare's Hamlet, the timeless tragedy that loosely inspired it? What are the obvious similarities, particularly in terms of plot and character? How often have the writers strayed from the bard's blueprint?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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