How to Deal With Your Kids’ Music and Lyrics

Richard Sutherland suggests that parents:

• be aware of their kids’ music and lyrics
• casually discuss the lyrics with them without
• being confrontational
• decide, together, if the content seems problematic or offensive.
  

“But remember,” Sutherland cautions, “music is part of the way teens rebel – and part of the point is to upset your parents! Kids (especially teenagers) need their space, things that are theirs, and taste is one place this can play out. They may be resistant to talking too much about the music they listen to.”
Dr. Steven Martino isn’t quite as flexible. He suggests that parents set limits on what their children, especially their younger children, can listen to.
Cathy Wing agrees, adding that parents should explain their decision and why they find specific lyrics objectionable. “If a child’s family environment has strong gender role models and healthy relationships, then parental monitoring of inappropriate media can potentially minimize the negative effects.”

ideas for finding harmony…

• Encourage your children to broaden their musical tastes.
• Understand that teens are sure to argue about the censorship of their music, so engage them in a debate in an effort to reach a compromise.
• Share your own views about sexuality so your children have another perspective on sexuality than the ones they getfrom the media.
• Buy music with your children and look for Parental Advisory labels that warn of explicit lyrics. Keep in mind,however, that labelling is voluntary for recording companies,so you can’t assume that music without a label will be appropriate for all ages.

• Baby By Me – 50 Cent
• If You Seek Amy – Britney Spears
• Crank Dat – Soulja Boy
• Tie Me Down – New Boyz featuring Ray J
• Love Game – Lady Gaga
• Tik Tok – Ke$ha
• For Your Entertainment – Adam Lambert
• Hotel Room Service – Pitbull
• Best I Ever Had – Drake
• Sexy Chick – David Guetta
• Don’t Talk to Strangers – Hedley
• 3 – Britney Spears

Published March 2010