Rich Parker

SLM 521

Web Drop 1

The Limits of Knowledge

For the 10^th grade Knowledge Unit

Tell the truth, now! Have you ever tried to buy a ticket to a “R” rated movie? Have you ever tried to sneak into an “R” rated movie at a giant multiplex theater by buying the “PG-13” ticket and heading for the “R” screen? Yeah? And how many times have you been caught and stopped?

Hey! Those ratings are only meant to protect you from information deemed inappropriate to kids your age!

Who came up with these movie ratings anyway? How long have they been around? What are the ratings meant to do? How well do they work? What kind of trouble can your local movie theater get into if you sneak into a film rated above your age level?

Let’s do a little web searching to find out the answers to these questions.

Visit http://www.mpaa.org/movieratings/about/content.htm and answer the questions listed below.

1. What new kinds of American movies prompted the American interest in a movie ratings system?

2. Who authorized the creation of the current ratings system and who was put in charge of its creation?

3. How are the ratings for each individual movie decided and who makes each decision?

4. How is the ratings system used by theater owners and video retailers? Are there legal punishments if the owners and retailers fail to keep a careful watch in their theaters and stores?

5. What has been the public reaction to the rating system over the years since its inception?