This post might will be a bit different than what you've been reading thus far. Unlike the recent series about online societies which was an objective academic paper, this is going to be....what some might call a rant.
I work at an elementary school for an organization that runs afterschool programs for kids. It's a great way to meet kids and to be a friend to those who might have few others. On Friday, the school put on a dance for the kids after the school day. There was dancing, food, games, etc. The music, however, is what really irked me. The first song they played was "Like a G6" by Far East Movement. If you aren't familiar with the song, the basic theme is that going to the club, getting drunk, and finding a hookup is a great way to spend your time.
Remember, this is an elementary school dance.
The songs continued with the following:
Blow Me by P!NK
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
Tik Tok by Ke$ha
...and the list goes on....
Now, I realize that I come from a fairly conservative background and my morality is pretty grounded in my faith, but the question should still stand....HOW IS THIS OKAY?
Every one of these songs has a set of common themes. They all glorify sex, alcohol, partying, and "getting wild". If you're an adult and want to listen to this stuff when you go out, then that's fine. It's your life. But DO NOT allow elementary school kids do the same, especially not at a school function! People talk all the time about the rate of teenage pregnancy and underage drinking and how today's youth have lost any kind of moral center. Why are we surprised that these things happen after we expose them to music and the parts of culture that say that those kid of things are what makes you socially acceptable?!
In essence, don't blame your daughter for having regular sex with her boyfriend at age 13 if you let her listen to songs that constantly bring up sex and alcohol. You may not think kids understand, but I work with them; believe me, they no exactly what those songs are about. If your daughter gets pregnant because of living a promiscuous lifestyle, don't wonder where she got the idea, and don't blame it on anyone but yourself.
Yes, the music is out there.
No, you shouldn't let your kid listen to it.
Yes, it is your fault.
I work at an elementary school for an organization that runs afterschool programs for kids. It's a great way to meet kids and to be a friend to those who might have few others. On Friday, the school put on a dance for the kids after the school day. There was dancing, food, games, etc. The music, however, is what really irked me. The first song they played was "Like a G6" by Far East Movement. If you aren't familiar with the song, the basic theme is that going to the club, getting drunk, and finding a hookup is a great way to spend your time.
Remember, this is an elementary school dance.
The songs continued with the following:
Blow Me by P!NK
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
Tik Tok by Ke$ha
...and the list goes on....
Now, I realize that I come from a fairly conservative background and my morality is pretty grounded in my faith, but the question should still stand....HOW IS THIS OKAY?
Every one of these songs has a set of common themes. They all glorify sex, alcohol, partying, and "getting wild". If you're an adult and want to listen to this stuff when you go out, then that's fine. It's your life. But DO NOT allow elementary school kids do the same, especially not at a school function! People talk all the time about the rate of teenage pregnancy and underage drinking and how today's youth have lost any kind of moral center. Why are we surprised that these things happen after we expose them to music and the parts of culture that say that those kid of things are what makes you socially acceptable?!
In essence, don't blame your daughter for having regular sex with her boyfriend at age 13 if you let her listen to songs that constantly bring up sex and alcohol. You may not think kids understand, but I work with them; believe me, they no exactly what those songs are about. If your daughter gets pregnant because of living a promiscuous lifestyle, don't wonder where she got the idea, and don't blame it on anyone but yourself.
Yes, the music is out there.
No, you shouldn't let your kid listen to it.
Yes, it is your fault.
OUCH
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