Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Tracy, the main character, lies to her parents and sneaks off to make out with her boyfriend. She breaks the law by participating in a sit-in for civil rights, and ends up in reform school. A peer spreads lies and rumors about Tracy, including that she's a "whore," was naked in a car, and that she has cockroaches in her hair. Set in the early 1960s, the movie also depicts acts of racism and homophobia. People are called "queer" and "faggots," and a white woman calls Motormouth Maybelle a "native woman," even though she's from Baltimore, too. There is some fighting; Tracy's boyfriend has his legs broken, and another character gets a concussion.

Sexual Content

Some heavy petting, and Penny tells Seaweed to "go to second." A beatnick encourages the gang to "take off our clothes and smoke reefer."

Violence

A fistfight leaves Tracy's boyfriend in a wheelchair, but there's nothing graphic and no blood.

Language

Lots of racial and homophobic epithets and general cursing.

Social Behavior

Tracy is a great female role model, especially for larger teens (though she does lie to her mother on occasion); despite a constant barrage of racism and homophobia from other characters, the teens fight for what's right -- desegregation.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

The kids are offered drinks, but they don't take them. Corny Collins drinks from a bottle of liquor.