Gaaah we're tripping up the anti-flame filters, so I apologize for the slow response.
I think I understand what you're objecting to, so let me try to tackle this from a different angle.
Consider how pissed your average neighbor would be if I showed Inception to one of their kids. Now imagine how pissed they would be if I showed them Eyes Wide Shut. Do you see it now?
Right or wrong, for better or worse, Americans are more enraged by things of sexual nature than violent nature. Ounce for ounce, violence is less shocking than sex and nudity. This is why the principle distinguishing factor between PG-13 and R ratings is sex and nudity, not violence!
Yes, obviously conscientious parents try to shield small children from violence, but here's the thing: I moved to France from Delaware and parents here don't give a flying fuck in a handbasket if their children see nudity. Actual sexual intercourse or lewdness is another issue, but newspaper kiosks show topless women in plain view and nobody cares. Statues have penises and nobody cares.
I don't think things have drastically changed since your childhood. Rather, I think this is a very difficult thing to see if you've grown up in the midst of it without spending significant time abroad (though maybe you have and we simply disagree?)