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[GK86]

Link. Did a search and didn't see a thread.

A new survey commissioned by the ratings board also reveals that the vast majority of parents think even one use of the F-word should warrant an R-rating, not PG-13.

Sexual content and nudity in movies remains the top concern for parents, while violence and language — save for the F-word — have fallen to the lower end of the spectrum of concern.

The findings are part of the 2015 Parents Ratings Advisory Study commissioned by Classification & Rating Administration, home of the voluntary ratings system that's jointly run by the Motion Picture Association of America and the National Association of Theatre Owners.

While 80 percent of parents in the U.S. believe the movie ratings system is accurate overall, a majority think most types of sexual content should automatically warrant an R rating and that even one use of the F-word is inappropriate for movies rated PG-13.

CARA uses the national surveys to see if its decisions are in sync with how a majority of parents feel, even as it comes under criticism for being tougher on sex and language than on violence.

"The members of the rating board are tasked with rating a film the way a majority of American parents from across the country would rate it. We provide information and guidance; we do not censor or give any kind of critical judgment on a film’s artistic quality," wrote CARA chairman Joan Graves on the MPAA's blog in announcing the study, conducted by Nielsen.

She continued: "It is a responsibility that we take very seriously, asking ourselves before every screening: 'What would I want to know before letting my child watch this film?' We are proud of the system that we have created, a system that families everywhere have come to rely upon. Like any good system that is meant to endure, ours is one that evolves to reflect changes in social standards that happen over time. We will continue to seek feedback from America’s parents to ensure that we are meeting our purpose to inform parents and doing the best job that we can on their behalf."

Recently, filmmaker Michael Moore blasted the board when it bestowed his latest documentary Where to Invade Next with an R rating because of language (for more than one use of the F-word), some violent images, drug use and brief graphic nudity (topless women). The film, a travelogue, explores how other countries deal with social and economic issues in comparison to the U.S.

The 2015 ratings study marks the first time that CARA has made a full survey public. Among general findings, 99 percent of parents were familiar with the ratings system, with 93 percent saying that movie ratings and ratings descriptors are helpful tools.

When it comes to the movies their kids see, parents are most concerned with graphic sex scenes (80 percent), followed by full male nudity (72 percent), use of hard drugs (70 percent), full female nudity (70 percent), graphic violence (64 percent), use of the F-word (62 percent), marijuana use (59 percent), horror violence (59 percent), non-graphic sex scenes (57 percent), suggestive sexual innuendo (57 percent), partial nudity (57 percent) and brief nudity (57 percent), according to the study.

Over half of parents (53 percent) think the F-word appears in PG-13 rated movies too much, followed by graphic sex scenes (51 percent), suggestive sexual innuendo (49 percent), full female nudity (47 percent) and partial nudity (47 percent). Only 44 percent think there is too much graphic violence in movies going out with a PG-13 rating.

 

[-COOLIO-]

eh, give it two more generations.

 

[akira28]

well violence didn't get them into their current predicaments, did it?

 

[spazchicken]

Yay religion. Which is actually strange seeing as more violence has been caused by religion than any other reason in history.

But if I had to choose between sex or violence in my entertainment, we're doing alright.

 

[kswiston]

eh, give it two more generations.

Attitudes towards sex in a specific culture don't always relax over time. I wouldn't be all that surprised if the coming generation of kids is more conservative about sex than their parents (our gen) or grandparents (teenagers from the 60-70s).

 

[PeskyToaster]

Violence is cool though

 

[Darksol]

I saw a boob once. I was 12. Now I'm a homeless, sex crazed maniac.

 

[Mimosa97]

Your kid is already faping to lesbian porn at age 12 and you're worried that he could hear the F-word or see two people having fake sex in a movie ?

American parents really need to wake up.

 

[LUFTRAUSER]

well violence didn't get them into their current predicaments, did it?

WOW. That made me laugh out loud, literally.

 

[smokeandmirrors]

god i remember kids like me at 10 years old already dropping "fuck"s anywhere and everywhere they could. i don't see how seeing a movie with "fuck" in it is going to hurt their little ears or psyche.

 

[Hale-XF11]

When I was 11 years old, my father took me to see a Charles Bronson film. It was the most realistically violent thing I'd ever witnessed up until that time and it really left an impression on me. Oh, but no worries, because he made me cover up my eyes during the sex scenes.

 

[Zeyphersan]

Attitudes towards sex in a specific culture don't always relax over time. I wouldn't be all that surprised if the coming generation of kids is more conservative about sex than their parents (our gen) or grandparents (teenagers from the 60-70s).

What? How?

 

[Kangi]

When it comes to the movies their kids see, parents are most concerned with [...] full male nudity (72 percent) [...] full female nudity (70 percent)

Yep, these parents sure are American.

 

[CadetMahoney]

Wasn't there an big thread recently on gaming side about how sex and violence are two different things.

Be a good reference if anyone can find it.

 

[LUFTRAUSER]

Your kid is already faping to lesbian porn at age 12 and you're worried that he could hear the F-word or see two people having fake sex in a movie ?

American parents really need to wake up.

Is this really that common? I didn't even look up anything pornographic until I was like 20. I wanted to make sure that I developed a normative sexuality.

Spoiler

And I still became a furry! So I guess it was a waste!

Attitudes towards sex in a specific culture don't always relax over time. I wouldn't be all that surprised if the coming generation of kids is more conservative about sex than their parents (our gen) or grandparents (teenagers from the 60-70s).

This is actually exactly what happened in the Victorian Era. It's really quite fascinating; the children of the Edwardian Era rebelled against their debauched parents by becoming all stiff and puritanical.

 

[AlexMeloche]

what the f-word

 

[GrizzNKev]

Watched both Daredevil and Jessica Jones with my parents. They loved DD. My mom's reaction to JJ: "This is the kind of thing you watch? This wasn't on tv when I was young." Followed by frowning and visible discomfort.

Lol

 

[To Far Away Times]

Wasn't there an big thread recently on gaming side about how sex and violence are two different things.

Be a good reference if anyone can find it.

Unless you are Konami.

 

[John Kowalski]

what the f-word

frick?

 

[kswiston]

What? How?

First, I am not saying it is a guarantee. But there are lots of ways in which something like that can happen. We are probably in for shaky times economically in the nearish future due to shifts in global markets, climate change, etc. Frustration from things like that can lead to a resurgence in religiousness or other particular codes of morality as "amoral" past generations get blamed form messing things up in the first place.

It happened in the Victorian Age. It's happened more recently in other countries (The Middle East being the most obvious example).

 

[Ms.Galaxy]

When it comes to the movies their kids see, parents are most concerned with [...] full male nudity (72 percent) [...] full female nudity (70 percent)

I wonder how Americans react to classical art like this:

 

[George Oscar Bluth II]

Watched both Daredevil and Jessica Jones with my parents. They loved DD. My mom's reaction to JJ: "This is the kind of thing you watch? This wasn't on tv when I was young." Followed by drowning and visible discomfort.

Lol

This is why I watched JJ when I was alone.

Decapitation by car door? Fine.

Non-graphic sex? Unacceptable.

 

[Gallbaro]

How many parents on GAF take their 8 year olds to watch Marvel movies?

 

[DonasaurusRex]

they regret their kids lol

 

[Savitar]

I wonder how Americans react to classical art like this:

Nintendo would cover her up.

 

[Vibranium]

F-bombs should be allowed in PG-13, it's just a word and kids hear shit in these movies. It annoys me when stuff doesn't use the word. Daredevil and Jessica Jones were hurt by Marvel (Loeb)'s refusal to use it.

 

[Magni]

What PG-13 movies have full female nudity?

 

[……forgetit]

I wonder how Americans react to classical art like this:

No one cares. We have classic art like that in our text books as kids.

 

[LUFTRAUSER]

I wonder how Americans react to classical art like this:

I took an art history class one summer and that picture was literally in my textbook. No one cares about things like this.

...which is actually quite ironic, as historically paintings like these were commissioned to be hung in wealthy patrons' private chambers.

 

[Septimus Prime]

I wonder how Americans react to classical art like this:

What show is that from? Is that Game of Thrones?

 

[Mr.Galahad]

Watched both Daredevil and Jessica Jones with my parents. They loved DD. My mom's reaction to JJ: "This is the kind of thing you watch? This wasn't on tv when I was young." Followed by drowning and visible discomfort.

Lol

For their defense, Daredevil is a much better show. lol

 

[kswiston]

F-bombs should be allowed in PG-13, it's just a word and kids hear shit in these movies. It annoys me when stuff doesn't used the word.

This is why I like the Canadian and similar rating systems better. We have G, PG, 14A, 18A, and R (in Ontario anyhow). Anything above PG requires you to be that age to attend the film without an adult. As such, most comedies that would be R in the US are 14A here unless they feature overly raunchy/prolonged sex (some sex/nudity would still probably be 14A). Pretty much any high school kid can go with their friends, but the elementary school kids need parental permission.

The US doesn't even bother enforcing PG-13 from what I gather, so anything that is objectionable to a majority parents is automatically R. That bars pretty much anyone in High school from attending without sneaking in/fake ID/going to a theatre with laxed carding. Pretty dumb when most of those kids are swearing and having sex themselves.

 

[John Kowalski]

I wonder how Americans react to classical art like this:

"she's fat, that's not healthy"

 

[Kangi]

I wonder how Americans react to classical art like this:

Simpsons episodes aside, I've never actually seen someone over here have issues with classical art. You can see some of that stuff in kids' shows here, which is saying a lot considering how much we censor nudity in our kids' shows (male nipples used to be a no-no on some networks, IIRC).

 

[Cipherr]

Attitudes towards sex in a specific culture don't always relax over time. I wouldn't be all that surprised if the coming generation of kids is more conservative about sex than their parents (our gen) or grandparents (teenagers from the 60-70s).

There is no way that is happening.

 

[Sibersk Esto]

I wonder how Americans react to classical art like this:

I've seen classical art depicting nudity censored quite frequently on the few occasions that it would pop up.

The most hilarious instance was in the show Hannibal, which centers around cannibalism and some of the most hideous looking murders I've ever seen on tv yet a nude painting was still blurred out.

 

[Vibranium]

This is why I like the Canadian and similar rating systems better. We have G, PG, 14A, 18A, and R (in Ontario anyhow). Anything above PG requires you to be that age to attend the film without an adult. As such, most comedies that would be R in the US are 14A here unless they feature overly raunchy/prolonged sex (some sex/nudity would still probably be 14A). Pretty much any high school kid can go with their friends, but the elementary school kids need parental permission.

The US doesn't even bother enforcing PG-13 from what I gather, so anything that is objectionable to a majority parents is automatically R. That bars pretty much anyone in High school from attending without sneaking in/fake ID/going to a theatre with laxed carding. Pretty dumb when most of those kids are swearing and having sex themselves.

I'm Canadian too actually haha. My point is that PG-13's restrictions are hurting action movies because of the lack of F words and more explicit violence. American Hollywood should reform it to 16A or something because it sucks.

I like 14A and 18A, they are pretty good.

 

[kswiston]

There is no way that is happening.

I guess we will have to wait until 2030-2035 to find out.

 

[G-Bus]

My parents were pretty relaxed towards sex and that kind of explicit stuff in movies over violence.

The odd thing about that being I was way more awkward watching a sexually charged scene with them in the room compared to violence.

I find that fascinating

 

[kswiston]

My parents were pretty relaxed towards sex and that kind of explicit stuff in movies over violence.

The odd thing about that being I was way more awkward watching a sexually charged scene with them in the room compared to violence.

I find that fascinating

Sex is largely viewed as private in most societies. Violence has never really been a private thing.

EDIT: My dad used to half-heartedly tell my brother and I to cover our eyes when a sex scene came on in a movie, but considering we'd just cover our faces with an Afgan blanket that was full of holes, I don't think he actually cared that much. It seemed like the most ingenious idea ever when I was 8, but no way that actually fooled him.

 

[HK-47]

well violence didn't get them into their current predicaments, did it?

My god.

 

[Pristine_Condition]

Yay religion. Which is actually strange seeing as more violence has been caused by religion than any other reason in history.

But if I had to choose between sex or violence in my entertainment, we're doing alright.

Yay jumping to conclusions.

Atheists just assume this has to do with religion. But there is plenty of scholarly material out there that suggests the acceptance of violence in entertainment and the rejection of sex in entertainment has NOTHING to do with religion.

The difference is more that violence in public is relatively commonplace, and sex is generally considered a private act, in most civilizations. And that cultural norm was settled long before many of the dominant religions took root. In context, it is more likely that the religions were informed by the extant societal norms rather than these societal norms being shaped by religion.

Acts of violence in a public arena are, historically, relatively normal in most societies. From "real violence" in various martial arts and sports contests (many sports were/are violent around the world) like various folk boxing/folk wrestling styles, and perhaps most famously, gladiatorial combat throughout the Roman Empire. Even things like duels, corporal punishments, and even executions were relatively common to take place in public. Violence, or depictions of violence in theater is historically normal in western civilization. Even in full-on war, many famous battles throughout history were held in front of a public audience.

Sex and sexual themes in public or public entertainment is not nearly as historically commonplace. Early Kabuki in Japan is one of the only examples where sexual themes were anywhere near on the same level as violent themes in a historical popular theater context. And that aberration exists mainly because Kabuki was largely financed through prostitution.

Also, your idea that "more violence has been caused by religion than any other reason in history" isn't really born out of historical study. Wars are actually very seldom caused by religion. Usually, when a war becomes religious, the religion part was tacked on as a recruitment tool.

 

[DXLelouch153]

none of us would exist without sex is what i would say in return

 

[Wowfunhappy]

There should be a movie rating between PG13 and R.

The fact that our culture is more concerned about a natural biological phenomenon than violence is pretty ridiculous. As is concern over the F word—although, it's a terribly overused word anyway IMO, so I can't really get upset about restricting its use in a movie.

 

[Ms.Galaxy]

No one cares. We have classic art like that in our text books as kids.

I took an art history class one summer and that picture was literally in my textbook. No one cares about things like this.

I'm aware, I'm a digital artist, but I find it odd that people react differently to nudity in different art forms. It's okay for kids to see nudity in classical art, but people draw the line at real people being nude in another art form? Why is that an issue for some people?

I've seen "The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife" in my 8th grade history book, uncensored, and that's fine, but any small amount of nudity on photos in the same book are completely censored.

 

[-Horizon-]

I wonder how Americans react to classical art like this:

Haha reminds me of that bit Stephen Colbert did about art, porn, and the media.

 

[RS4-]

It's because they see enough violence on the news every single day.

 

[LUFTRAUSER]

I'm aware, I'm a digital artist, but I find it odd that people react differently to nudity in different art forms. It's okay for kids to see nudity in classical art, but people draw the line at real people being nude in another art form? Why is that an issue for some people?

I've seen "The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife" in my 8th grade history book, uncensored, and that's fine, but any small amount of nudity on photos in the same book are completely censored.

 

[injurai]

Violence is enjoyed upon a perceived enemy, sexual purity is coveted among those perceived one's own cut.

 

[Wilsongt]

Considering I can turn on basic cable and watch blood being spewed everywhere on almost every crime drama or cop show, as well as shows like Bones and Supernatural, but the mere thought of a nipple accidentally showing on live TV sends the country into a tizzy... All I gotta say is, we need to work on the fucking puritan ideas. This is ridiculous.