A COLUMN BY Dick Rolfe Chairman, THE DOVE FOUNDATION
Decisions, Decisions!
by Dick Rolfe, Chairman, The Dove Foundation
"Mom, can I go to the movies with the gang?"
"What are you going to see?"
"American Pie."
"What’s it about?"
"Oh, its a comedy about a bunch of High School students my age who are preparing for their prom."
"Hummm ‘American Pie.’ Sounds innocent enough...like apple pie, motherhood, God and country. OK. But be home by 10 PM."
"No problem. Thanks."
Does this conversation sound familiar? What’s wrong with this story? Important details were left out of the conversation -- like, "What’s it rated?" Answer: R. "Why is it rated R?" Answer: In the words of the MPAA, "for strong sexuality, crude sexual dialogue, language and drinking, all involving teens." This should prompt you to ask, "What else is in the film that the MPAA left out of their brief description?" Answer: Nudity, and several explicit scenes depicting teens masturbating. "What is this movie with the wholesome title all about?" Answer: It’s about a group of High School students who make a pact to lose their virginity by prom night. "And, it’s only rated R?" Answer: It actually received an NC-17 rating (an industry term for X) the first three times it was submitted to the MPAA. After a bit of trimming, it finally got its R-rating.
Quotes from within the industry: The film’s producer bragged, "We push the envelope further than any teen film in recent memory." One film critic raved, "Nudity and countless sex/masturbation jokes...what else could you ask for in a movie?"
By now you get the idea. This American Pie is not suitable for consumption.
President Clinton recently accused Hollywood of "making and marketing R-rated films specifically targeted at adolescents and teenagers." Denials poured out of Tinsel Town, that resembled those of cigarette marketers not long ago. But, I ask you, who on earth would be the least bit interested in seeing a movie about the weird antics of hyper-sexed, make-believe kids except real-life kids? Maybe even your kids. And, what about the possibility of copy cat sex parties at home? Don’t think for a minute that this film will instill high moral values in the young moviegoers who are sucked in by the slick tactics of Hollywood marketers. And, don’t think that most film makers or theater owners care.
What’s a parent to do? One answer is to press in. Get involved. Bone up on today’s youth culture. Be ready with thoughtful answers when your children are looking for guidance. Assist your kids in making intelligent decisions about their entertainment choices, by becoming media-wise yourself. Here are several terrific books that can help you meet that challenge.
Learn to Discern by Bob DeMoss, - "a powerful and persuasive book that should be required reading for any parents who underestimate the potentially destructive impact of popular culture on their children." - Michael Medved. To order, call MDAC at 616-698-6553
Winning your Kids Back from the Media by Quentin Schultze - Solid strategies for making the media your family’s servant rather than its master. Published by InterVarsity Press.
The Media-Wise Family by Dr. Ted Baehr - "For every parent who feels frustrated and powerless to protect their children from an evermore powerful electronic culture saturated with sex, violence and degradation..." - U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman, Connecticut. Published by Chariot Victor Publishing.
What can you do? Read a good book.
Dick Rolfe is Chairman of The Dove Foundation a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage and promote the creation, production and distribution of wholesome family entertainment. For more information about wholesome films and videos, write: 535 E. Fulton, Suite 1A, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, or call (616)454-5021.
Return to our home page | Dick's bio | past columns
to dickrolfe@dove.org
Updated by: Scott RolfeCopyright © 1999, The Dove Foundation. All rights reserved.