When I was growing up (and that is long ago; four and a half decades worth counts for long ago) the films I went to see with my parents and babysitters included the classics: The Wizard of Oz, King Kong, Godzilla, Mothra, The Sound of Music, Bambi, Cinderella, Snow White and other fairy tales. Innocent? Mostly. Scary? Certainly the monster flicks from Japan were. Violent? No. Not in the way of flashing guns, blood and guts as seen today by most children from the tender ages of 6.

I am at a loss to the meaning of the PG rating. These days I go to the movies with my son who is almost 8, I’d say on average about twice a month. Most children’s movies made in the USA today do not contain the fantasy and moral tones of films I saw growing up. Of course what they do have to their credit are superior graphic illustrations, special effects, digital animation and cinematography compared to those films made in the 50s and 60s. What I am shocked about is the sexual innuendo in most PG films.

Tell me why is it necessary that hippos shake their booty, flirt, shake their titties or seduce one another in a not-so-discreet fashion? Why is the subject even brought up? Is it to assuage the parents who would go bonkers if there weren’t an element of suggestion? Or is Hollywood so desperate for lack of a story line they need to cram this crap down children’s throats so that they’ll grow up to be as sexually obsessed as many adults seem to be here?

What gets me is the fact that there appear to be no morals when it comes to shoving the sex rap into kids’ movies yet breasts and heaven forbid, vaginas and penises are strictly banned on TV. The human body is in America, a no go area. Yet six year olds are exposed to distorted wisecracks and bodily movements that are out and out sexual ploys. Why are children being indoctrinated in this warped way? Why aren’t parents just up in arms about this?

I’m not a prude. I have no shame about my body. As a family we are quite comfortable walking in our skin at home without a shred of embarrassment. We find it peculiar when kids Florian’s age make “fun” of the human body. Our son finds it strange as well. What does this double bind of kids being ashamed of their own body and at the same time inundated with sexual modes of behavior mean? Where will that lead? I cannot imagine anyplace healthy.

There are plenty of foreign films that are age appropriate (PG) and emotionally intelligent without being sexual at all. If I have to expose myself and my son to the come-ons, the pick up one liners and the stupid overtones of sexually deprived animated characters then you know what? I’ll stay at home more often and use Netflix. We won’t mind that at all.