This film depicts a teen-age daughter's jealousy and resentment of her father's interest in other women. Patsy rejected Maria's initial attempts to befriend her and was horrified at her father's affair with Sally. It is common for a daughter to want to be number one with her single father and to reject her rivals for his affection. It is interesting to note that historically, Patsy was her father's official hostess. In one sense, she did win the top female position.
Fathers can help by discouraging such behavior.
Although the film contains no profanity, there are mature sexual themes. Jefferson has a sexual affair with Sally, but not with Maria. He seems to think that sex with a slave is all right, but sex or marriage with a beautiful aristocratic woman is disloyal to his deceased wife. This brings up moral issues related to sex and slavery that a parent might discuss with his adolescent. The sexual encounters are not shown, but there is a funny pornographic puppet show.