Sex on Movies : Impact on America vs. Europe

By: Sebastian Alvarez

Throughout the history of film making the depicting of sex on movies has been seen as none other than a unfaithful act against the masses. In the United States where movies have been made for over a 100 years the depiction of sex has been critically punished and sometimes has been banned from the general audience. This has cause a major controversy between those who think sex depiction is a normal  act that does not affect general audience and the individuals who think of sex as an act that should label as a pornographic material while also not being allowed in theaters. Though many may say that it is harming children in reality they are not able to see how normal sex and how it is a part of everyone's life. The rating system that is used in the United States ranges from General Audience, PG-13, R, to NC-17. A rating system that dictates the appearance of movies in theaters.  An example of such films would be Cashback (2006) a British film depicting nudity, sex, and pole dancing. A movie such as this would have been banned in the United States due to the rating system not allowing such films to be shown in theaters. Another example of the harsh film rating, The Cooler (2003) an American movie which was rated NC-17 due to a glimpse of Maria Bello's pubic hair. The view of the public has dramatically changed from an era such as the 1960's when the depiction of sex and nudity was not shamed, but instead was embrace as part of you human nature. Many individuals at the time had a great broad view of sexuality in America, but as sex starting being marketed the public felt the need of regulation to ensure the "protection" of their youth. Due the rising number of movies depicting nudity and sex in the 1960s the pro-conservative movement took upon the necessity to ban such pieces of art for the interest of their own. Many believe that the reason for such harsh view on sexuality is due to the religion in America. "Much of the American stigma concerning sex, sexuality, and nudity has to do with “traditional Christian values” as defined by fundamentalist Christianity"[1]  All of these changes of trying to censor sexuality has cause many great problems in America such as rise in pregnancy rate and sexually transmitted diseases. This can also be attributed to the failing health care system that does not teach the public about safe sex and contraceptives.  "Of the many industrialized nations, the United States has the highest pregnancy rate"[2]

Unlike the United States, in Europe the depiction of sex and nudity is tolerated and is mostly embraced. Though the use of rating systems is practiced in almost all of Europe it is not followed with that much interested and rates movies with a more liberal view. Sex is a part of life which many Europeans don't find it wrong for their kids to watch such material in movies due to the normality that is  portrayed along with it. Due to all these liberal views Europe has had a declined birth rate and diseases. This can be attributed for the outstanding health care system which provides every citizen the ability to have safe sex.  Another big difference is the banning of many violent films in Europe due their depiction of violence and vulgarity. These difference are described as being more liberal, but in my opinion these differences are just a more humane approach to secure the future of our children while allowing  free expression. This are the many differences that are seen across Europe and that many American don't agree with, but have shown a great deal of change towards the younger audience.

[1] 08-11/14. “Atheism 101: Why Has Christianity Demonized Nudity, Sex and Sexuality? .” Accessed . http://www.examiner.com/article/atheism-101-why-has-christianity-demonized-nudity-sex-and-sexuality.

[2] 2007. “Video: Teens & Sex in Europe: A Story of Rights, Respect & Responsibility.” Accessed . http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/publications-a-z/719-video-teens-and-sex-in-europe-a-story-of-rights-respect-and-responsibility.