As a parent, it’s hard not to cringe at the lyrics of today’s pop songs. With themes revolving around twerking, partying, and a cavalcade of sexual innuendos, mainstream radio seems to be a minefield of misogyny and substance abuse. I know I might sound like a stuck-up parent, but as the mother of a 10-year-old son who has an inexplicable knack for catching every word of these songs, I feel a sense of urgency.
We’ve implemented parental controls on our devices, limited TV time, and I frequently consult Common Sense Media to vet movies and books for age-appropriateness. But radio? That’s the untamed frontier of entertainment, and the thought of banning it feels both dreary and impractical.
So, what are my options? We don’t subscribe to satellite radio, and my kids have no interest in oldies or NPR. My son, a true music enthusiast, insists on listening to the radio constantly. I’ve even discovered the laundry room radio stashed in his room, only to quietly return it to its rightful place, especially since the DJ chatter is just as cringeworthy as the music.
While it’s easy to think this is a modern dilemma, it’s not. I remember my older siblings ordering records from Columbia House and my mom scrutinizing the lyrics while we listened. “This song is about a prostitute,” she’d say disapprovingly about The Police’s “Roxanne.” But my siblings managed to convince her otherwise.
As a kid growing up near New York City, I had my own clock radio, and one morning I unfortunately tuned into Howard Stern’s show, where he posed inappropriate questions to female guests. Unsurprisingly, I was horrified and quickly switched to all-news channels, only to be bombarded with grim stories from the late 80s. It was a different era, but the challenge of navigating inappropriate content was still very real. My parents were blissfully unaware of what I was hearing.
The reality is, tweens will inevitably encounter a plethora of inappropriate content, whether at school or at home, especially through the radio. To address this, I’m focusing on reducing solo listening time and increasing our shared music experiences. If we listen together, it opens the door to discussing these complex themes.
When my siblings were new drivers, my mom encouraged us to drive with her for more learning opportunities. I believe the same principle applies to media consumption. The more we listen together, the more chances I have to provide context for the raunchy lyrics and the often crude comments made by DJs. While I might change the station when necessary, I aim to be the voice that encourages my son to critically analyze what he hears.
There’s hope. My son has already tried to persuade me that a song where a woman asserts, “you don’t own me” is far better than one where she sings, “I wanna look good for you.” He’s correct, and I hope he’ll come to understand that no one should have to declare their independence in such a way; that’s an issue in itself.
So, I’ll persist in these conversations, hoping he continues to think deeply. Perhaps it’s time to stop shielding him from the world and instead prepare him to engage with it.
For more thoughts on navigating pop culture with kids, check out this post on Modern Family Blog. When it comes to parenting and discussing sensitive topics, it’s essential to stay informed. For those interested in starting a family, Make A Mom offers reliable home insemination kits that can be a great resource. Additionally, ASRM provides valuable information about pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, while pop music may often be filled with inappropriate content, it offers parents a unique opportunity to engage with their children in meaningful conversations about critical issues. By fostering open dialogue, we can help our kids navigate the complexities of the media landscape.
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