| | 1973 Verdict | | :--- | :--- | | Bike helmet | Unnecessary. A scraped knee builds character. | | R-rated movie | “No” for under 12. For 12-14, “Only if you close your eyes during the sex part.” | | Walking to school alone (1 mile) | Required. Teaches responsibility. | | Smoking cigarettes | “You will stunt your growth.” (They will try it anyway.) | | Smoking marijuana | “That is a crime. You will go to jail with murderers.” | | Listening to Alice Cooper | “Fine, but not at dinner.” | | Reading Go Ask Alice (1971 book) | “It’s fiction, but yes, that is what happens when you take LSD.” | | Using the word “cool” | Acceptable. | | Using the word “groovy” | Not acceptable. It’s 1973, not 1968. | | Camping unsupervised in the backyard | Mandatory. Let them rough it. |
The early 1970s were a transition period between the Hays Code era (strict US censorship) and the modern rating system. European cinema, especially German and Italian, pushed boundaries with "educational" or "comedic" sex films aimed at teens. Parents feared these films would encourage sexual activity among younger adolescents. 14 and under -1973 parents guide-
The narrative chronicles young girls engaging in sexual actions with significantly older men. One segment details an older male "friend" touching a young girl in a bathtub. | | 1973 Verdict | | :--- |