Should I let DD go to Lady Gaga concert?

[itchin2go]

My knee jerk reaction was heck no, but then I realized that my parents let me go see Van Halen (DLR era) with my teenaged cousin when I was in 7th grade. I was fine, and nothing I listened to (or saw) back in those days scarred me for life.

I just took my daughter to see Miley last month, and it was racier than I expected. I'm definitely turning out to be more protective than my parents were, but I'm trying to keep things in perspective.

However, with Lady Gaga, wasn't there talk that something unexpected, umm, popped out at a performance?

 

[DramaQueen]

without having read most of the thread i'll put in my 0.02, so sorry if i'm repeating stuff.

i would say no for a 12 year old. i'd say it's perfectly fine for a 12 year old to listen to lady gaga's music (hey, when i was 12 the lyrics to my fave song went 'if you get down on me i'll get down on you'...and TBH i honestly didn't get what they meant...but maybe i was naive lol)
BUT the concert atmosphere would be a bit too much for a 12yo IMHO. I'm 20, and I have a lot of friends who are going to Gaga's concert when she comes to Toronto and they all plan on 'dressing up like gaga' ...which, if you've seen her, you know that perhaps you might not want your 12yo surrounded by hundreds of girls in their 20s dressed just like her. (most of whom will most likely be inebriated as well)

just something to think about before you make your decision.

 

[JerseyJanice]

This board seems to be very conservative. First off she wants to go to a concert with her friend right, so I guess she is already a fan. I bet she can sing the words to most of the songs by now too.
Reasoning that you don't want her at the concert because there might be others acting inapropriate is kind of silly I would think. If people are spilling beer or something on you I am sure security will help you out if a request is made.

I realize I am in the minority but I think under responsible supervision by a parent like this case, you can be the parent AND the friend and let her go. I imagine if she doesn't get to go, her friend will find somebody else.


............just my .02

I'd totally agree with you if we were talking about my kid, but the OP in this case has a different parenting style. She pitched a fit this weekend because her 18 year-old's gay teacher called him "cute" in an Email. She is not the kind of parent who would deal well with the kind of things that her DD might be exposed to at a concert put on by a performer known for being provocative.

Moreover, it sounds like her children are very sheltered, so my guess is that a church concert is more their speed.

 

[rufus jones]

I'd totally agree with you if we were talking about my kid, but the OP in this case has a different parenting style. She pitched a fit this weekend because her 18 year-old's gay teacher called him "cute" in an Email. She is not the kind of parent who would deal well with the kind of things that her DD might be exposed to at a concert put on by a performer known for being provocative.

Moreover, it sounds like her children are very sheltered, so my guess is that a church concert is more their speed.

A church concert would be much better for any 12 year old than the trash they would see at a Lady Gaga concert. Funny how sheltering your children is horrible, but people wonder why 12 years olds are having babies?

 

[RadioNate]

A church concert would be much better for any 12 year old than the trash they would see at a Lady Gaga concert. Funny how sheltering your children is horrible, but people wonder why 12 years olds are having babies?

Seriously, kids are having babies because of the shocking antics of Lady Gaga. Really. That is hilarious. In fact, the first friend of mine who got pregnant was the most sheltered. He parents were far stricter than anyone else's. She certainly wasn't allowed to even go to concerts with us in HS.

But really, it all the fault of some over produced pop tart. Ok then.....

No one ever said sheltering kids was terrible but there is a time you have to let them grow up a bit.

I don't think anyone said absolutely yes to the concert. I said I'd definitely consider it and not write it off immediately.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'd totally agree with you if we were talking about my kid, but the OP in this case has a different parenting style. She pitched a fit this weekend because her 18 year-old's gay teacher called him "cute" in an Email. She is not the kind of parent who would deal well with the kind of things that her DD might be exposed to at a concert put on by a performer known for being provocative.

Moreover, it sounds like her children are very sheltered, so my guess is that a church concert is more their speed.

Wow--that seems a bit harsh and judgemental.

I'm like--WACKY conservative--but there are many artists out there who are fine. Not all extreme conservatives are sentenced to church concerts for life.

And it isn't fair to the OP to make such comments without knowing her personally, and even then it would be rude.

 

[Anjelica]

I'm like--WACKY conservative--but there are many artists out there who are fine. Not all extreme conservatives are sentenced to church concerts for life.

I AGREE!! I'm a Big conservative but I sport two tattoos with one on my forearm that is 6x4 inches. I listen to ALL kinds of music - even with those artists who are extremely liberal, etc. because they are talented. I LOVE Bullet for my Valentine, Rise Against, Avenged Sevenfold just to name a few - and they are hard rock/heavy metal. I also really like Lady Gaga's stuff - sheesh I had her "Just Dance" Single over a year ago when she wasn't even mainstream.

With that all being said and as I stated earlier I wouldn't let my daughter go to Lady Gaga at 12. I turn the radio station to Radio Disney when she is in the car and "occassionally" one pop station - but even that pop station can get a bit extreme for me. I don't think for a moment I am sheltering her or hindering her from growing up - but as a parent making the choices that I FEEL are appropriate for her at her age.

She's had to deal with some big time reality just in the past year alone (her uncle, my brother, who she is VERY close with was seriously injured in Iraq resulting in the loss of his leg )- she doesn't need to be exposed to everything "adult" even at the age of 12 - but again this is MY OPINION and parenting style.

I get kind of tired of people assuming Conservatives are all one way or the other. It's ridiculous - I certainly don't think all liberals are one way or another. And personally, I'm not a big fan of Christian music.....

 

[Stitchfans]

Another vote for No.

 

[mill4023]

Before anyone accuses me of the terrible crime of being over protective(sarcasm here)....
My 12 year old DD listens to groups like the Black Eyed Peas(anyone know the lyrics to My Humps?) and Pink.
She also just went to a Metallica concert a few weeks ago with her friend and her friend's parents.

I would NOT let her go to a Lady Gaga concert.

 

[JerseyJanice]

A church concert would be much better for any 12 year old than the trash they would see at a Lady Gaga concert. Funny how sheltering your children is horrible, but people wonder why 12 years olds are having babies?

Show me where where I said it's horrible for a parent to shelter their children. It's their choice to raise their kids that way. It's not my style, but I don't think it's wrong.

Wow--that seems a bit harsh and judgemental.

I'm like--WACKY conservative--but there are many artists out there who are fine. Not all extreme conservatives are sentenced to church concerts for life.

And it isn't fair to the OP to make such comments without knowing her personally, and even then it would be rude.

Sorry you think it's rude, LLP. I based my comments on more of the OP's posts than just on her "cute" thread over the weekend. She seems religious and conservative, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. She is who she is. I don't automatically believe that people who are different than myself are wrong or evil. She has her parenting style, I have mine, and I'm sure you have yours.

Frankly, after seeing a PP mention that they got beer spilled on them at a Jonas Brothers concert, I almost wrote that a Wiggles concert would be better to suited for the OP's DD. I didn't because I was concerned that it would come across as rude. I went with church concerts because I have seen her post about her kids performing in their church choir.

 

[Va-bear]

I only read the first two pages of answers, sorry.... but I WOULD let her go (based on knowing nothing about her - but if she is 'average' for 12... only you can judge that).

At 12 I knew a lot about the world - a LOT more than my parents would have guessed - and I lived a pretty dang sheltered life. I knew what was real and what wasn't....

I knew what was a 'wild' performer (think Elton John who was considered WAY WAY out there in the 70's.... made "Lady" look mild by today's standards....) and that he was just that: a PERFORMER.

Properly supervised (as she will be), I think it's a great teaching/learning opportunity. Gives you the chance to talk about some of the things she will see and hear. Talk about not judging others by how they look; not letting 'bad' influences (like provocative wording) mean too much to us; about how some adults will act nutty at a concert but it doesnt mean we have to; etc. etc.

We have to let our kids grow - not hide them in a corner and HOPE they never see these things.........because they will hear and see these things at school, living in the real world, etc., why not start letting her learn to handle them and rationalize for herself.

Well, good-luck either way.

 

[Va-bear]

I get kind of tired of people assuming Conservatives are all one way or the other. It's ridiculous .....

So true !

Heck, I'm about as liberal as they get and I would never get a tattoo!!! Hate them! No, we are not all one way - I agree!

 

[Darsa]

Frankly, after seeing a PP mention that they got beer spilled on them at a Jonas Brothers concert, I almost wrote that a Wiggles concert would be better to suited for the OP's DD. I didn't because I was concerned that it would come across as rude.

You're right, it would have been rude. IMHO, of course. Just because someone doesn't want to subject their twelve year old to something like Lady Gaga doesn't mean they wear skirts that trail the ground and necklines so high they make turtlenecks look plunging... I mean, I don't go to church... ever. But I wouldn't let my daughter see Lady Gaga in concert at 12. So, um, I'm not sure where I'd end up on the "scale".

JMHO.

 

[georgina]

So true !

Heck, I'm about as liberal as they get and I would never get a tattoo!!! Hate them! No, we are not all one way - I agree!

Thank you! I'm way liberal too, but my DD 14 has never been to a concert! Shocking! My DS has been to a couple of the Linkin Park summer things with a lot of bands with a friend and his mom, because there is no way I would take him. I just don't think live concerts are necessary for kids under 16, more because of the crowd than the music.

My first concert was Seals and Crofts (remember Summer Breeze?)

 

[RadioNate]

I guess I don't see what is so bad about Lady Gaga and why the crowds are such an issue? I'm surprised by the extreme NO reaction that most everyone has.

I've been to all kinds of concerts and I've actually never really had an issue or seen any horrible behavior in crowds. Sure, a few drunks having fun. Maybe a little pot now and again (or in the case of the Grateful Dead, a lot of pot) but nothing crazy. Ok, maybe a bit of flashing at Motley Crue but I wouldn't associate any of that with Lady Gaga.

Yes, her songs contain a lot of innuendo but she is a pop star. Madonna, Britney Spears (who's show is very raunchy) people like that.

Sure she dresses weird, is theatrical and a little racy but I don't think she is any worse than any other artist out there. To that point, I can think of several I wouldn't let a teen go too but Lady Gaga isn't one of them.

 

[RadioNate]

Thank you! I'm way liberal too, but my DD 14 has never been to a concert! Shocking! My DS has been to a couple of the Linkin Park summer things with a lot of bands with a friend and his mom, because there is no way I would take him. I just don't think live concerts are necessary for kids under 16, more because of the crowd than the music.

My first concert was Seals and Crofts (remember Summer Breeze?)

Linkin Park isn't a concert? Aren't they a band? Doesn't a group of bands playing at a venue constitute a concert?

If 'crowds' are in issue, Linkin Park is going to have a way more hardcore crowd than Lady Gaga.

 

[surfgirl]

However, I have seen much worse adult behaviour at spotrting events than concerts over the years--and yet most people would probably not hesitate to let their child go to, say, a Patriots game with a friend.

I'll disagree with that... I will not let my children go to a pro football game in my hometown (except when we get the corporate box). We have football season tickets to a major university nearby that they go to for all home games, so I'm not anti-sports.


sorry for the ot response. back to your regularly scheduled programming.