What The Common Movie Ratings Suggest
Movies have long had a rating system that is used as a guide to let parents and individuals know if a certain motion picture is suitable for specific viewers. It is often to guard children and let parents know if a movie contains violent or sexual scenes, however it may be rated for something as straightforward as smoking or swearing. Many people differ with many ratings for numerous movies and there have even been copyright cases where a company knowingly removed scenes that they deemed inappropriate although the show may have been rated a PG or PG-13.
Movies are greatly different from each other and it is exceedingly intricate to uphold a set standard that is consistent for every movie. One person may be upset by a semi-nude scene that suggests sexuality while another person watching the same picture may find that the suicide by gun scene is more offensive, different people have diverse reactions and beliefs about what is or is not improper.
The system for rating movies is based upon theme and content. Parents and individuals should take their own accountability and judge for themselves. The rating system is just a guide and it should not be relied upon completely.
The G rating is suitable for General audiences, or generally everyone. There is not sexual or nude scenes, no swearing, drug or alcohol use, no cigarette smoking or violence.
PG means parent guidance is suggested. There may be momentary moments of nudity or suggested sexuality. There may be smoking or swearing but none of these things are disproportionate. Parents are just cautioned that these passing scenes may exist. PG-13 is a stronger PG warning, intended for a movie that is not bad enough to warrant an R rating but still not clean enough for a PG rating. These movies are in general not fitting for children under 13. There is likely some nudity or implied sexuality, or violence.
No one under the age of 17 will be allowed into an R rated movie unless they are accompanied by an adult guardian or parent. There is likely sexual scenes, drug abuse or violence. Parents are encouraged to watch these movies first before deciding to permit a child or young person to watch it.
The newest rating is a NC-17. This does not mean that it is pornographic but rather that the adult content, whether it is sexual, violent or something else, is too strong to be suitable for anyone under age 17.
As with all parenting decisions, a parent must take their own accountability for what movie is suitable for their own child. It is not shrewd to rely on the ratings system but merely to employ it as a common guide.