The day that you get to go to a PG-13 movie for the first time is a momentous event.   It’s a coming of age, and the next step towards the hallowed rated R movies.  In this day and age however, the difference between PG-13 and R rated movies is quickly dwindling.

Recently, a study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center and the University of Pennsylvania has been published that has brought up very troubling details regarding violence in movies that are supposedly safer for younger children. Gun violence, defined as the brandishing and firing of a gun at a person with the intent to harm, in PG-13 movies has tripled since 1984 while rated R movies’ violence has held steady and PG/G violence has actually experienced a decline in violence over the same span.  The disturbing fact stems from the fact that PG-13 movies, including blockbusters such as “The Avengers,” “Inception” and “Transformers” rake in 45 percent of all movie revenue annually.

Students, however, disagree with the study’s findings.

“There is a clear difference between R and PG-13 movies,” said senior Junior Ramos.

“When someone gets shot in a PG-13 movie, blood doesn’t go flying everywhere. They just get shot. There should be a better definition of violence, because honestly, a guy getting stabbed and getting his head blown off are completely different scenarios.”

According to the MPAA, the governing body in control of movie ratings, there may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence.    This begs the question about how much affect these violent movies have on the youth today.

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Thirteen is a good time to be exposed to that kind of material, because by then, you begin to understand the consequences of illegal acts,” said senior Blake Bird.

A similar study by CNN reported common findings; they also dove into the negative consequences on today’s youth.  What they found is that there isn’t a definite correlation between rising violence in movies and youth as well.

“As long as there are guns, girls, and fast cars in movies, you got a blockbuster on your hands. Simple as that.” said Sylvia.