It is a scenario played out time and time again. A new movie preview graces the TV screen during a commercial break. It looks exhilarating and suspenseful. It looks like something worth seeing.

But alas, concluding the dramatic preview is the statement, “rated ‘R’ for strong language and violence.”

Movie ratings are a fact of life for modern generations. They can assist in decisions of which movies should really be seen by helping to determine the content of movies.

However, the rules and regulations surrounding how the ratings are disbursed have changed several times over the years.

The rating system was created in 1968 by the Motion Picture Association of America. The MPAA was concerned that with the rise in political strife due to mounting women’s issues, youth protests, rioting and the overall decay of social traditions, children would be exposed to undesirable content in the movies they viewed.

According to www.filmratings.com, it was with the support of the U.S. Supreme Court that the ultimate decision was made to create a rating system designed to protect children from such exposure that could not be restricted from adults.

“I feel that as the world’s values decrease, the quality of movie ratings decreases as well,” said Emily McKeen, a senior from Milton, Wash.

It is a common misconception that the ratings are required by law. The rating system is strictly voluntary and no movie makers are required to submit their movie for rating, although most movie makers choose to.

However, the ratings have been trademarked in order to prevent movie makers from designating their own misleading or inaccurate ratings.

“Movie ratings are not always consistent,” said Allie Fullmer, a senior from Rexburg.

Just like Fullmer, many other moviegoers question the consistency of the movie rating system, as one PG-13-rated film’s standards and contents seem to differ greatly from the next.

The MPAA has a panel of parents who decide what ratings films should receive. They make up a special committee called the film rating board of the Classification and Rating Administration, according to www.mpaa.com.

A committee watches each film submitted together and then discuss the film and its contents. Then a committee of parents vote on which ratings they assume most American parents would deem appropriate and would be the most helpful.

So remember, the rating may only reflect the standards of the board members who rated it.

G
All ages are admitted. Contains nothing that would be offensive to young children.

PG
Parental Guidance Suggested. Contains material that may be unsuitable. There may be some profanity, violence or brief nudity, but there is no drug use.

PG-13
Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13 years of age. It goes beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language or other contents. The film may contain a single use of one harsher sexually derived words, only as an expletive.

R
Restricted-Under age 17 requires accompanying adult. These films may include strong language, violence, nudity, drug abuse or a combination. Parents are counseled to take this advisory rating very seriously.

NC-17
No one 17 and under admitted.