Regulation: How PG-13 Has Changed

It is an interesting point to look at the topic of regulation and the use of ratings such as G,PG, PG-13, and R and how they affect the consumption of media, if they do at all. In my personal opinion, the use of ratings does not send such a serious message anymore. I recall being 12, and not being allowed under any circumstances to watch a PG-13 movie. I was so excited the day I turned 13 because suddenly a whole new level of movie was open to me. 

Looking back at the PG-13 movies of that time, it seems rather silly. For example, Ever After is rated PG-13 and other than the 2 minutes of sword fighting "violence" that results in the prince becoming friends with the gypsies, the occasional Evil Step Mother drama, and maybe a 'slightly' (but not really) more mature theme of love, there really is no reason for the movie to be rated as such. There are no bad words, no true violence, no explicit language or visuals, and no nudity. Which leads me to my point. I believe the culture of media consumption has changed. 

What was once deemed inappropriate for children under the age of 13 is now common. For example, if you compare the movie Ever After from 1998 and its PG-13 colleague The Hunger Games from 2012 or the final movie of the Twilight series, you realize there is a huge gap between them. Here you have 2 movies that are PG-13, one which is basically about children all killing each other in a game, and the other is a girl who had sex with a vampire and is giving birth while almost dying, and then a war where lots of heads get ripped off. See the difference? Its amazing how the standard has changed. Is it because companies want to make more money, and can appeal to many different audiences this way. Is it because our culture has become a more explicit one where violence and sex is the norm? I think looking at how ratings have changed over time is a very interesting way to view the way society and their opinions have changed over time in terms of what is appropriate and to whom.