From G to R

A Parent's Guide to Movie Ratings

By Jill Eggleton Brett

In years past, the rating system of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) had clear-cut movie viewing guidelines for parents. These ratings were G for general, PG for parental guidance and R for restricted. On July 1, 1984, the PG-13 category was introduced. This rating was for those films that were beyond the PG rating in theme, but did not quite fit into the restricted category. The PG-13 rating means that parents are strongly cautioned and some material may be inappropriate for children younger than age 13. The MPAA created the rating system November 1, 1968 solely as a tool for parents. Is the rating system still reliable for parents?

The MPAA itself was formed in 1922, but was revamped 1966 by incoming and current president Jack Valenti. His efforts to overhaul the Association were in response to the changing values and morals of the country and the "new" kind of American movie that was surfacing. This new kind of movie was described as frank and open – created by filmmakers who held to very few self-imposed restraints. Profanity, nudity and violence started showing up at the box office and the MPAA felt it needed to uphold its duty to parents and keep them informed about motion pictures.

Today, this is still the mission of the Association. But it isn't a lighthouse for all parents. "I personally do not go by the rating system," says Corinne Scotti, mother of 13-year-old twin boys. "It's been my experience that some PG-13 movies I've allowed my boys to see have been worse than R movies I've seen. I'm most concerned with the sexual content of movies. I don't want my boys to think it's OK to go out and have sex, and unfortunately, PG-13 movies have the latitude to be very sexual in nature without actually showing the act."

Since the inception of the ratings in 1968, they have been federally registered certification marks of the MPAA and cannot be self-applied. No filmmaker is forced to submit a movie to the MPAA for rating; it isn't required by law. Motion pictures are allowed to hit the marketplace without a rating, but most producers and film distributors want the approval of the MPAA. The rating of each motion picture submitted is determined by a full-time rating board of eight to 13 members located in Los Angeles, Calif. All are parents, and they use a standard set of criteria to decide ratings.

Want to see more?

• The Dove Foundation
• The Movieguide
• Media Effects on Children: Movies
• Preteenagers Today MomsTalk