Bear with me and read this... the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) defines the PG13 rating for a movie as the following:

PG-13 rating is a sterner warning by the Rating Board to parents to determine whether their children under age 13 should view the motion picture, as some material might not be suited for them. A PG-13 motion picture may go beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities or other elements, but does not reach the restricted R category. The theme of the motion picture by itself will not result in a rating greater than PG-13, although depictions of activities related to a mature theme may result in a restricted rating for the motion picture. Any drug use will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. More than brief nudity will require at least a PG-13 rating, but such nudity in a PG-13 rated motion picture generally will not be sexually oriented. There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence. A motion picture's single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, initially requires at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive requires an R rating, as must even one of those words used in a sexual context.

I'm not a super overprotective mom. I try to be pretty rational about what is appropriate. Occasionally I get upset and don't let my child view something she wants to see but I try to at least check into the movie or show to see what is the content. She's seen the PG13 Star Wars movies and a few others but we avoid PG13 movies for the most part - she's ten, she's just not ready for most of that stuff.

I have a friend who has a child in fourth grade who is just now getting to see her first movies not rated G. That's over the top to me.

However I do think there is a legitimate debate to be had over why fast food restaurants include PG13 movies toys in kid's meals. What is the average age group of kids who get the kids meal deal? Maybe 5 to 10 years old? Kids meals are not targeted at kids who are 13 and over, so why are toys for movies that are for a different age range in these meals?

Right now, Burger King has Incredible Hulk toys - PG13. The Hulk ones were preceded by the new Raiders of the Lost Ark movie, again PG13. Wouldn't Kung Fu Panda or Speed Racer be more the Kids Meal set? Sure some of the kids who are under 13 will see the movie but if the MPAA says that rating is one of a "sterner warning" to parents, why even put them in there? PG13 is the step before R ratings. Are there not enough G and PG movies to do the toy placement with for the meals?

(I will say Chick-fil-A does a great job with avoiding most commercialism with the kids meals, so hats off to them.)

I'm nterested in understanding what message these marketers are trying to get across. Are they trying to raise an interest in these movies in kids who are outside of their core market? Are they trying to send a message to parents that these movies are fine for kids to see. Are they trying to get adult collectors to buy these meals for the items? I don't really know.

I'd love to know your thoughts but please don't tell me to avoid fast food all together. It just isn't going to happen. We limit our child's consumption and prefer local quick serve restaurants to fast food chains if we go that route.