Is the status quo of the ratings system satisfactory? Well, your guess is as good as mine. When our movies are being rated, the lines between each rating aren't very clear. We don't really know what determines a movies rating. And who are the movies aimed toward? .
First, who invented the current system? His name is Jack Valenti. At the age of 73 now, he's still head of the Motion Picture Association of America. He was voted into that position in 1966. In 1986 Valenti sketched out our national ratings system. MPAA has a ratings board which is made up of eleven members. Each member is chosen by Valenti, to serve two five year terms. All their personal information is kept secret. Things such as: occupations, age, and other information is all kept confidential. Also all the board members hold other jobs as well as being on the MPAA board.
The purpose of giving a film a rating is to inform the public about the content of a particular movie, and to protect those who are vulnerable to the inappropriate material contained in some films. A rating is decided upon by the board members using the guidelines of each rating, after viewing and passing a two thirds vote. A rating can be changed, and it is not final. To change a rating, the producer must appeal the rating originally given, and then it goes to the ratings appeals board to be reevaluated, then they will decide again on a rating for the film. .
Psychiatrists have said that small children viewing R rated movies can cause real damage. The risks faced by children who watch films meant for adults are similar to the risks faced by children exposed to alcohol, tobacco, or physical abuse. Studies have shown that when kids see violence they begin to feel it's normal to be violet: when they see graphic scenes of adult sexuality, they begin to believe that those are the ways in which they should behave. Parents really need to watch out and be mindful about what their kids are viewing in the movies.
