Explicit Lyrics

I came across this article about a parent complainng about the music played at an afterschool dance in Virginia and it got me to thinking, “who decides what explicit is and who is supposed to enforce it”?

I remember having my mother talk to me about the lyrics of music I listened to, and setting me straight about a few things, when I was younger. She made it a point to explain what the lyrics meant, how they may be applied to me, and how others might view me as a consequence of me repeating those lyrics. With that upbringing, I went on to work in afterschool during undergrad. I distincly remember students wanting to play music that I didn’t deem “appropriate” for them thought I listened to it myself. The argument was usually something along the lines of:

Student, “I listen to it at home.”

Me, “Then go home and listen to it”

Student, “But my mom knows I listen to it. It’s not a big deal.”

Me, “Great, then listen to it at home. Let’s try something new while we’re here.”

Needless to say, I won out because 1) I wouldn’t budge and 2) I was in charge. After introducing them to music that I deemed “appropriate” for them to listen to, I would drive away listening to the same songs that I didn’t think they should have heard. Am I a hypocrite?

When I heard parents complain about the work that educators do/ enviornment that their child is in, I wonder how many of them are adhearing to the same standards at home. How do the kids know to request those kinds of songs in the first place?