I don’t believe in strictly following industry ratings for numerous reasons. Among other things, I take into consideration the maturity of my kids and the message of the film. My son, for instance, watched “Stand By Me” (Columbia Pictures, rated R), well before the age of 17. In my opinion, this is a quality film with a great message for teens. However, it might not sit well with parents who don’t want their teens exposed to profanity.
What’s appropriate for one 13 year old might not be appropriate for another. Therefore, parents should interpret rating systems as a set of loose guidelines, rather than an absolute authority on what is appropriate.
Rating details
The following is a list of entertainment industry ratings and advisories.
Motion Picture Association of America:
• PG-13 (May be inappropriate for children under 13): drug use, brief nudity that is not sexually oriented, mild violence, and single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words.
• R (Children under 17 require accompanying parent or guardian): adult themes, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, or drug abuse.
• NC-17 (No one 17 and under admitted): extreme violence, sex, aberrational behavior, drug abuse, and other elements that most parents consider off-limits.
Entertainment Software Rating Board:
• T (Teen: For ages 13 and older): violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, simulated gambling, or infrequent use of strong language.
• M (Mature: For persons ages 17 and older): intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content or strong language.
• A (Adults ONLY, 18 and over): prolonged, intense violence or graphic sexual content and nudity.
Recording Industry Association of America:
In 1990, the Association implemented a uniform Parental Advisory logo. The industry claims that the Parental Advisory Program effectively “allows record companies and their artists to exercise their rights of free expression, while fulfilling their social responsibilities to consumers.” The logo “voluntarily” appears on the cover of music recordings because of sexually explicit or violent material.
Help or hindrance?
Douglas A. Gentile, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University, led a national study (published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, June 2011) of nearly 2,400 parents which found that 76 percent of parents wanted to see more detailed content ratings. The study also found that parents do not agree at what age it is acceptable to view different types of content.
“I believe that our culture has become so skewed in terms of what is acceptable for children and adolescents to be exposed to that the ratings should only serve as a guide for parents. Whenever possible, parents should also preview the material, read watchdog group reviews online, and talk to other parents about their impressions,” asserts Michael Osit, PhD, a licensed psychologist and author of “Generation Text: Raising Well Adjusted Kids in an Age of Instant Everything” (Amacom, 2008).
Tara McNamara, a family film commentator for Fandango and founder of KidsPickFlicks.com, says it’s up to the parents to decide what kids can watch.
“Parents cannot rely on just the [Motion Picture Association] rating. I can think of plenty of examples when I thought a movie was not rated appropriately; but, to be fair, the organization’s guidelines are unreliable, because every parent and child is different when it comes to how they will interpret content,” she says.
One size doesn’t fit all
Parents make decisions based on many factors, including family values, a teen’s maturity level, and religious beliefs. Therefore, there is no substitute for previewing material before a teen is exposed to it.
“It’s a myth that parents can treat each child in a family exactly the same way,” says Osit. He suggests that parents assess each teen’s ability to handle mature material by considering things like maturity, responsibility, character, and coping skills.
Tips and tales
“I have taken my daughter to PG-13 movies and cringed at some of the language and scenes. Sometimes I think today’s PG-13 is like the R rating when I was growing up.”
— Mirta Cesario McLain,
Salt Point, NY
“I check them out first and use my own judgment.”
— Kelly Behorik-Molyneaux, Kingston, NY
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Myrna Beth Haskell is a feature writer and columnist specializing in parenting issues and child and adolescent development. She is the mother of two teenagers.
