Why are parents more concerned about sex and nudity in movies?

Question

I manager a movie theatre. When it comes to a movie's content, I am much more likely to see a parent object to sex and nudity than to violence, drug use, foul language, or any other issue. Why do you think this is?

And secondly, do you think this is reasonable?

One example that sticks out in my mind. A woman takes 4-5 14 year-old girls to see Hostel and then after the movie complains about the sex and nudity but has nothing to say about the violence and torture.

Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting that parents should be more or less tolerant of one type of content over another. I'm just curious why sexuality seems to be a bigger issue than other things.

Answer 1

You are absolutely right, I have never noticed this before. It's sad that our society is that way. Each of us eventually will experience sexuality, sooner or later (hopefully), so I don't understand why that is worse than violence. Hopefully none of us will have to witness something horrific like in those movies, Hostel or Saw...violence SHOULD cause more controversy - its definitely more damaging to kids. Sex is just sex, they see worse things in High School then in those rated R movies! Perhaps, that is exactly why sex in movies is such a big deal....because they make it seem so real, whereas we all know that the violence is computer generated and fake....

Answer 2

I suppose parents are more prudish than before. You are right, the violence and the like are just as bad if not worse than the sex and nudity. But I can see why it is more disturbing to a teenager's mind to see wild sex orgies than it is to see somebody's head lopped off.

And a lot of young teenagers don't get squeamish at the sight of graphic violence. It's a sad fact but it's true.

And consider the fact that stupid teen amateur porn is growing, with the use of camera phones and photo uploading on to the Internet. I guess the mother didn't want to add to the 14 year olds' already incorrect concept of sexuality by letting them watch Hostel's sex scenes.

Great question by the way.

Answer 3

This world is just f|ucked up. Really, that's your answer. I saw reviews (and on Kevin Smith's Internet podcast) where people were complaining about the masturbation call being unnecessary in Transformers, but they don't find the violence bad? And you can look in the rating and it says "sexual humor." If the movie has sexual stuff and you don't think your child should have seen it, it's your fault for not being observant.

The MPAA ratings board folks have a lot of flaws but they're right a good percentage of the time. Don't ask on IMDb if your 9-year-old is going to be okay seeing Superbad with you because the ratings guys clearly say, "R - inappropriate for children under 17 - under 17 requires parent/guardian - pervasive crude and sexual content, strong language, drinking and some drug use, and a comic/fantasy violent image - all involving teenagers." does that sound okay for your child, you illiterate anus?

Answer 4

Unfortunately we are desensitized to violence where as sex or nudity is a "shock" thanks to the media and how they react to it. We don't sensor that hard on nudity not that we let them overtly watch it they are young and usually that stuff is very brief as oppossed to violence that can last many scenes. Why is a girl who happens to be famous who took a pic of herself more important than the man who beat an old woman to death? it is media driven

Answer 5

Most people in the western world have a heavy stigma on sexuality while a strong sense of militarism and glorification of violence make violence less of an issue.

Answer 6

i think as a socitey the violence doesnt really captures us anymore. it just seems so normal in this day and age but i thats just me

Answer 7

Because there a LOT of hypocrites out there.

Answer 8

yeah they should be more worried what there doing on the net.