Ratings creep and wakeup calls

Discussion: Comments
By Joe Maurer – 
Updated November 6, 2014

Source: Greenville Journal

A few weeks ago we rented “The Amazing Spider-Man.” It’s PG-13, so how bad could it be? Probably suitable for our 3-, 5-, and 7-year-olds – right? Ten minutes in, an angry villain pummeled one of his enemies. The scene involves graphic, violent face punches with blood spurting from a broken nose.

Anna Jane (my 5-year-old) screamed and bawled, worse than during her 4-year-old immunizations or when our dog chewed off her Cabbage Patch Doll’s head. She hid under a blanket and refused to come out. 

I, of course, felt like a superlative parent.

Good research proves that television (and video game) violence desensitizes children to the pain and suffering of others, worsens fears of the world around them, and increases aggression towards others. It’s difficult to argue for any positive effects (though some claim it is a necessary and natural part of childhood development).

My children watch different cartoons, many with some level of violence. In general, the violence seems more plentiful now than the years of “Smurfs” or “He-Man.”

While there’s certainly room for television viewing refinement in my home, my experience with Anna Jane forced me to consider how television violence specifically affects me and my children.

In the past year, I’ve enjoyed the acclaimed shows “House of Cards,” “Breaking Bad” and “Dexter.” There are multiple parts of each of these series that I’d squirm if watching with my mother (some even with my wife, Kristen).

But clearly I’m smart enough to guarantee that savage, graphic scenes don’t really affect me. I’m well-educated and self-aware, right?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently published a study entitled “Parental Desensitization to Violence and Sex in Movies,” which raised concern that, like children, we are easily numbed to the improprieties we view.

Participants viewed short movie clips containing scenes including sex and violence. With each subsequent viewing, participants exhibited desensitization towards violence and, subsequently, movie rating (meaning that they were willing to classify R-rated movies as PG-13). Additionally, those who frequently watched movies were more readily desensitized.

This study helps validate what researchers describe as “ratings creep,” the growing rate of violence and sex in PG-13-rated movies. Last year, researcher Dan Romer, Ph.D., published a study showing that the amount of gun violence in PG-13 movies has tripled since 1985. PG-13 movies produced in the past five years contain as much violence as R-rated movies.

In the most recent AAP study, after subsequent movie clip exposures, parents also reported an increased willingness to allow their own children to view more explicit movies.

This study suggests I not only rented “The Amazing Spider-Man” out of carelessness, but also because my conscience no longer serves as an appropriate guide.

Sadly, I’ll accept some responsibility. I only briefly contemplated what affect the adult aspects of the movie I would rent would have on my children. I was driven more by my desire to keep my three-year-old son entertained for 139 minutes.

Anna Jane’s epic reaction served as a good wake-up call.

As parents, we need to be more conscious of media, knowing that our viewing decisions subconsciously impact our children. We are not as unimpressionable as we’d hope.

In addition, to help monitor what our children watch, the media advocacy group Common Sense Media rates entertainment content and suggests appropriate usage ages. Earlier this month, the group announced it would give its own seal of approval for “family-friendly” films.

My hope is that we are all more thoughtful with viewing decisions – our children’s and our own. If not careful, you’ll end up with your five-year-old in your bed for a week due to Spider-Man nightmares – which presents a whole other host of concerns.

Dr. Joe Maurer is a pediatrician with The Children’s Clinic, a nine-doctor practice that is part of the Children’s Hospital of the Greenville Health System. He and his wife, Kristen, are blessed with three rowdy kids aged 7, 5 and 3.

Back to In My Own Words home page »

Foodie Fest 2015