Is censoring your kid's music worth it?

Dylan Snyder
Staff Writer
       
    The fact that our parents hate our music seems to be a trend. You may think it is just this generation’s music because of how profane or obscene it is. That might be somewhat true, but even in the past most adults hated or strongly disliked their children’s music. In the 1950s, parents did not like Elvis because they did not approve of his dancing. The same was true for Michael Jackson in the 1980s. The late 1960s and early 1970s were a shock for the older generation because they were not used to hearing songs all based on drugs and sex. There is, or should be, a difference in what a ten year old listens to as opposed to what a seventeen year old does. Most people are set in their ways, and they resist change because they do not think the change is for the better. Naturally, parents will not allow their kids to do something they think is not for the better or would be harmful in some way. Not ALL adults hate modern music; some listen to it themselves, and others can put up with it in the car with their kids because the content or language does not offend or affect them.  

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      As the “Music Mom”, Anne Kiplinger, says in her blog, “These songs are everywhere; every radio station plays them, they’re the pump-up music before high school sporting events, the musical guests on Saturday Night Live play them, you hear them on Song Pop.” What she means by this is that even if you shield your kid from it at home or on their iPod, they will still be exposed to it in public or on TV or radio. There is also the fact that just because you, as a parent, censor your son or daughter’s music, their friends may still be allowed to listen to whatever they want. The idea of censoring music sounds good, but it is nearly impossible unless you keep your kid at home and do not own a TV or radio.
      There is also a time in every person’s life where they should have the maturity to listen to them and not focus on the bad content. Yes, whenever there is a song or show with a bleeping noise, we all know what word is supposed to be there, but we don’t dwell or focus on it. The song may be a good one and would be a waste of time to dwell on the curse words or just avoid listening to it at all.
      No matter what we feel or believe it is always important to respect other people’s thoughts and ideas. They are set in their ways and have that right. We have the right to listen to whatever we want, but some stuff would not be appropriate to play in front of older people because it might offend or anger them. When a person becomes a certain age, at the discretion of their parents,  they can decide to listen to whatever pleases them. People use music as personal expression or to channel their feelings. They should be able to listen to whatever makes them happy or gives them an enjoyable listening experience but only while respecting the people around them.