DCHP-3

Adult Accompaniment

DCHP-2 (Sep 2016)

Spelling variants:
AA, adult accompaniment

n. — Entertainment

a film rating restricting admission to those 14 years or older and to those younger than 14 years who are accompanied by an adult.

Type: 1. Origin — This term was part of a classification system used by the Ontario Film Review Board introduced in 1981 (see 1981 quotation). This category was renamed 14A in 2003 when the Ontario Film Review Board decided to adopt the same film rating system used in Western Canada (see 2003 quotations).
See also COD-2, s.v. "Adult Accompaniment", which is described as "in Ontario and the Maritimes".
See: 14A,18A

Quotations

1981
Ontario teen-agers from 14 to 17 will be allowed to see more movies starting tomorrow when the province brings in a new film classification system. The four new classifications are: [...] Adult accompaniment [...]. Everyone 14 and over and children under 14 accompanied by someone 18 or over will be allowed to see these movies.
1982
The reasons given for the AA rating, which will allow children to attend if accompanied by their parents, were "mature language" and "mature verbal imagery." The original Restricted rating would have prohibited all potential patrons under the age of 18 from attending under any circumstances.
1998
In that report, Reid said an Adult Accompaniment rating would have been more suitable. "This is more of a political than a sexual film . . . the visuals of the human body -- in whole or in part -- are not intended to titillate but rather to make statements against circumcision, censorship and copyright laws and the power of institutions, including government."
2003
The new movie ratings went into effect this week. Bill Whalen, of Galaxy Cinema in Peterborough, said the changes went into effect March 31 and basically make the rating system across the country the same. Ontario adopted the system used in Western Canada, Whalen said. While the names of the ratings and the guidelines dealing with how a motion picture rated [sic], each province still has its own film review board, he said. Therefore, a film in Western Canada could have a different rating than in Ontario, all depending on how the boards view the film. For example, Whalen said the film Dreamcatcher was rated at 18A in British Columbia but it is rated at 14A in Ontario. In B.C., anyone younger than 18 can see the film only if accompanied by an adult. In Ontario anyone under 14 can see the film as long as they are accompanied by an adult. The 14A replaces the old AA -- adult accompaniment -- rating while the parental guideline rating remains as a reminder to parents to review the film with their children.
2003
Beginning this week, the Ontario Film Review Board is rating motion pictures under a revised classification system that puts it in harmony with other provinces and with Canada's voluntary rating system for home videos. There are now five, not four categories. Where before films had to be rated either AA for adult accompaniment (14 and over) or R for restricted (18 and over), now there is a 14A and an 18A. The change gives the board more flexibility to rate films in terms of their suitability for teenagers and children.
2007
G General -- All ages admitted (formerly called Family)
PG Parental Guidance -- All ages admitted, but parent should exercise discretion allowing children to view what may contain adult content
14A Adult Accompaniment -- No one under 14 admitted unless accompanied by an adult (formerly called AA)
18A Adult Accompaniment -- No one under 18 admitted unless accompanied by an adult
R Restricted -- No one under 18 admitted

References

  • COD-2