The Pros and Cons

The debate over the effectiveness of the Motion Picture Association of America's rating system has been heavily debated for many year, and both sides have genuine points and concerns that have postponed any real action.

Filmmakers and critics are most frequently the objectors of the MPAA rating system. Their arguments are actually fairly popular in the United States, which begs the question of why no alterations have been made in the face of popular dissent. The reason, however, is the overwhelming amount of differing views and opinions of how the MPAA should be changed. Some radicals argue that the MPAA should be abolished completely for its essentially immoral attempt to censor films from certain Americans. While a ratings system is important for parents, guardians, or even children to be aware of the objectionable material in a film, the rating system should serve as a guideline rather than a decreed law. An R-rating film requires the attendance of the guardian of a child or teenager, which is a hassle but a possibility. NC-17 ratings, however, completely disregard a guardian's approval and forbid any person under the age of 17 to view a certain film. This, some argue, is a total abandonment of the MPAA's goal: to inform the parents, not ignore them. On the other hand, however, some people argue that the MPAA should create a harsher system of ratings, or at least be more open to rating a film NC-17. The MPAA is often criticized for its bias to big-budget, studio films (i.e. Titanic, which received a PG-13 rating, even with the prescence of nudity, language, and violence) and films featuring Christianity (i.e. The Passion of the Christ, which received an R-rating, even though Roger Ebert, who has viewed many NC-17 films, called the most violent film he has ever seen). The MPAA is highly unpopular in the country, and, though motives for such dissent differs greatly, many are insisting upon change.

Many people oppose to alteration or abolition of the MPAA for the very reason provided by the dissentors: the country cannot come to an agreement. The current rating system is already well-known and understood throughout the country. The truth is that the entire country can never be in complete approval of a ratings system, and "mistakes" are inevitable. While some site specific injustices and examples of favoritism, these are essentially isolated events. Most MPAA ratings are hardly ever debated for their accuracy and fairness. The MPAA works as it is, and, until the public is in general accord over a new ratings system, it should be left alone.