Antidotes to pop culture poison

Policy Review, Nov/Dec 1997 by Napier, Kristine

Thirty years ago, the Rolling Stones were asked to sing their hit song "Let's Spend the Night Together" on the Ed Sullivan Show. Mr. Sullivan, however, asked them to modify the words to a more family-appropriate version: "Let's Spend Some Time Together."

Popular culture has traced a long and reckless path since then, especially in its influence on our children. Much of today's popular music, for example, is sexually explicit, graphically violent, obsessed with murder and dismemberment, abusive of women, and supportive of drug use. "Kill You," by the group Korn, vividly describes the lead singer's fantasy of murdering his stepmother. A gangsta rap album by Wu-Tang Clan glorifies sodomy and violence.

Often unable to decipher the lyrics themselves, parents wonder if kids really listen to the words. "Absolutely," says Robert G. DeMoss Jr., the president of Entertainment Today, a Nashvillebased organization that offers parents guidance in choosing entertainment. "Most eight-year-olds can sing the offensive lyrics by heart."

Consider, too, the magazines aimed at teenagers. Young people are keenly interested in reading about the music, movies, and fashions that define the pop culture of the day. These publications provide more than just the scoop on the coolest jeans and hottest bands. Many of them imply that teenage sex is OK, that graphic violence and offensive language in movies and music are the norm, and that parental authority is illegitimate. Says DeMoss, "Overall, they do nothing to build and support parents as the most important teachers of values and character-they're the antithesis of family values."

Computers are fast becoming one of the most important conduits of pop culture for our children. But who would have imagined that computers could transport your child into the redlight district? Although the Internet opens up fabulous educational and entertainment worlds, the dangers are many. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has documented dozens of cases of pedophiles using cyberspace to lure kids into sex. Meanwhile, kids can find and download graphic images of hard-core pornography. There are more than 16,000 sex Web sites with pictures, including at least 100 focusing on masochism, and more appear every day. Kids don't even have to seek out these horrific Web sites: Porn peddlers buy lists of e-mail addresses that include minors and solicit them directly.

Fortunately, there are tools for parents to steer their children safely through these popular media:

Music Guidance

"Tune in to what your kids listen to," says Bob Waliszewski, manager of the youth culture department at Focus on the Family. "Then, sit down with them and discuss the values, character, and morality portrayed in the offensive musicand help them find alternatives." To get a comprehensive look at music-both the good and the objectionable-tune in to the following resources:

Plugged In . A monthly publication of Focus on the Family that identifies suspect albums and worthy alternatives.

It also takes a close look at movies, television, and the Internet, and gives great advice on other parenting issues. Write to Focus on the Family Plugged In, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80995; annual suggested membership is $20.

Catholic Family Parent "Loud and Clear," a music column in this bimonthly magazine, provides an excellent review of lyrics with excerpts, the authors' judgment, and a parents' advisory. Other columns review videos and books, and movie critic Michael Medved appears in each issue. Write to Catholic Family Parent, 200 Noll Plaza, Huntington, Ind. 46750; $18 per year.

Family Entertainment Review This on-line guide to music (formerly a monthly print publication) reviews music popular with teenagers without judging it. Says editor David Baiz, "We take heat from both sides: parents who think we shouldn't even be commenting on teen music and parents who want us to take a stand against certain choices." Despite the criticism, the reviews (on every type of music from R&B and rap to rock and country) are excellent. Each includes a brief summary of the lyrics and theme and notes offensive language. The Web site also includes a very helpful glossary of slang used in contemporary music. The Internet address is www.familyentertainment. net; or call them in Los Angeles at 310-5523301.

Learn To Discern by Robert G. DeMoss Jr. (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Mich.) An excellent book, recently updated, that explains how movies, music, cyberspace, television, and advertising affect our children. A mustread for all parents who want to appreciate the cultural milieu in which our children are being raised and what they can do about it.

Home Life Published by the Baptist Sunday School Board, this monthly magazine carries a regular column by Robert G. DeMoss Jr. (see above) that offers another excellent review of popular music. He also covers the gamut of entertainment, including films, books, and youth magazines. W7ite to 127 Ninth Ave. North, Nashville, Tenn. 37234; , $19. 95 per year.