- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preteenagers today articles
- preteenagers today q&a
- teenagers today articles
- teenagers today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
The Music Made Me Do It
How Much Influence Does Music Have on Teens?
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
There are many things that teens will experience that are of a subjective nature – meaning it may appear to be or mean something different to different people. Batties states this is true of music as well. "It's a matter of judgment." she continues. "While these lyrics offer a very vivid imagery of sex, violence or otherwise, they are done so as poetry. Although most parents would and do not see it as poetry, most teens see it as a means of personal expression and find that poetic. Parents need to understand that their influence is far stronger and more important then that of any band or performer today or tomorrow."
With each era comes a new generation of teens. With each generation of teens comes a time of rebellion. With each new rebellion comes new music. With new music comes controversy. This is how it has been since Elvis first shook his hips on the Ed Sullivan show and this, more than likely, is how it will continue to be.
According to Batties, the most important part of dealing with teen rebellion and music is to think back in time. "It is really important for parents not to forget what they were like when they were young," she says. "Parents often forget that when they were teens they would look at their parents and promise themselves that they would never complain about the music their kids listened to or that they would never say the things their parents said to them. But now, they are, because they have forgotten what they once were. Remember?"