We Are A Chris Brown-Free Household And My Kids Know Why
My kids listen to hip-hop, rap and top ten music. And listening to that kind of current music comes at a price. They hear and see things that are not part of our family's values and may not be appropriate for their age. (Note: it is not a free-for-all.)
But part of allowing the kids to listen to current music is making sure that we talk about what they see and hear and the "teachable moments" come fast and furious. We were watching the American Music Awards last Sunday night when Pink's amazing and troubling performance came on. My second-grade daughter asked me: "why are they hitting each other and then in love?"
Tough question on many levels.
And so began a simplified discussion on the complications of abusive relationships. This conversation continued as soon as Chris Brown's name was mentioned and I groaned loudly.
We are a Chris Brown-free household. As soon as his songs come on, I change the station. As soon as he appears on an awards show we switch it off. I will not support a known-abuser who, to my mind, did not apologize and continued to have a string of anger management issues.
I know it is not my business. I know he did his courses, that it seems like Rihanna has reunited with him. I struggle with separating the artist from their art in other categories. But in a world that is more upset by breastfeeding pictures on Facebook than about violence against women, this is my stand, as tiny as it is.
I want my kids to know that they have choices to where their dollars go, that they have a small, but important, amount of power when it comes to celebrities. We do not listen to Chris Brown and I know from other blogs and Twitter that we are not alone, but the discussion about violence again women is ongoing, as is the portrayal of women, alcohol and drugs in music.
On second thought, maybe we will go back to music from the '50s. Frankie Valli anyone?
Have you moved on? Do you listen to Chris Brown? Do you let your kids listen to current music?
Want more chaos? Last year, I found a new and improved method for taming toddlers.
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