R-Ratings Affect Habits

A recent study by Dartmouth Medical School researchers has found that kids who are not allowed to watch R-rated movies are at least three times less likely to ever smoke or drink than those who are not restricted from watching R-rated films. This proved true regardless of the parents' level of strictness in other areas. Concluding that movies can be as influential as peer pressure, the researchers discovered that among the children (grades 5 through 8) who were allowed to watch R-rated movies 46 percent had tried alcohol and 35 percent had tried cigarettes compared to 2 to 4 percent of the no R-movies group (Effective Clinical Practice, Jan/Feb 2002). Parents can become more involved in their children's viewing habits by pre-screening movies. They can also access Screenit.com, an online site that rates movies by analyzing incidences of behaviors such as smoking, drinking and profanity.