Thursday, September 18, 2008

Age appropriate???

I remember the dances during Junior High...the first ones I ever went too. The music was great, my friends were all there and the dancing was wonderful.

But now, as a parent, I look back with different eyes. I hear the lyrics to the music that played, the dancing that took place and the friends that weren't really there.

This week I had the chance to talk to a co-worker about her daughters first middle school dance. She had the opportunity to stop at the dance, and heard some the music, and immediately filed a complaint with the principal, who was grateful that a parent spoke up.

The principal let her know that unless parents complained, the music wouldn't change. They parent committee that hires the deejay doesn't think there is anything wrong with the music, and doesn't ask for age appropriate tunes.

WHAT?

Some parents want their child to hear about "Apple Bottom Jeans" and "Dip baby just dip Dip baby". They don't listen to the words that are being sung at their children, even the 11 year olds.

Me? Not really.

I don't allow my kids to listen to the "Pop" station, and half the time I can't stand listening to it myself. I cringe at some the lyrics young kids sing when they are listening to their ipods, they are just plain offensive.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have songs with questionable language on my ipod, the ipod that my kids are not allowed to touch...EVER. That is my music, that as an adult can listen too. When they are adults, they can have whatever they want on their ipods (man I sound like my mom...).

I am hoping that these school realize what they are putting in front of these kids at dances. While the atmosphere can be great, the music needs to be age appropriate.

Oh, and my friend...She went home, googled the lyrics and e-mailed them to the principal along with her complaint. Hopefully, next time the music will be better.

3 comments:

Mrs. Schmitty said...

It's amazing what some parents let their kids listen to. I had to put together a CD for the 4th graders last year. We polled the kids on their favorite songs. I had to look up the lyrics for all of the songs. I was shocked at some of them! And I listen to all kinds of music.

Musings of a Housewife said...

wow, good for your friend! and what a great reminder to us, as parents. you can be i'll be stopping by the dances when my kids are that age!

Kelly said...

I'm glad your friend spoke up...I think if you are choosing music for children to listen to at a school dance, it's better to err on the conservative side.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a proponent of censorship...but I think there are some things that are just inappropriate for children and it's up to the parents to protect their little ears and minds from topics they are just not emotionally and mentally mature enough to understand.