Your Kids Doing the Soulja Boy Dance

[Kath2003]

however, if enough people had the guts to not buy or listen to it, maybe THAT would "change women's place in society". Why is it so difficult to just admit that some things are simply WRONG?

Because everyone has ideas about what's wrong. I don't find the song lyric "wrong". I don't find porn "wrong".

 

[gina2000]

Exactly! It is so sad that so many do not get this.



Personally, my circle of friends (men and women) all find the things described in this song to be degrading and disrespectful to women. I am not sure that I would want to know people that think this kind of stuff is ok. Porn also fits in this category.
The swimsuit issue is a little different to me. It depends on the shot/pose. I have nothing against the human form whatsoever - so just a scantily clad or naked body does not necessarily translate as degrading IMO.



By saying no one would dare to try it on you - you are saying that you do not find it acceptable. But you think it would be funny if it happened to someone else. Really? So, you would still find it hilarious if someone did that to your best friend? Your sister? What if a man did that to your mother? I am betting you wouldn't think it funny then. So, why would it be funny for any woman to be treated this way?



I think that is because for so many they think liberal = anything goes. That is SO not true in my household. I lean so far to the left that on the one political scale I am past Ghandi and the Dalai Lama. But that does not mean that I abdicate my responsibilities as a parent to make that my son is taught right from wrong. And for me, allowing women to be viewed in this light - whether implicitly or explicitly - is wrong.

I think you miss the point of many of us who won't censor. I use this sort of exposure as a learning tool. We discuss lyrics and situations that are degrading/dangerous/unethical/distasteful. We make a point of illustrating why we don't believe that some thoughts are acceptable in our household. And we explain why some people feel the way they do, why they choose to express it through an artistic medium and why it is acceptable for them to do so in a free society.

I'd hardly call that "not parenting" and for those of you who feel that I am NOT parenting, I suggest that by sheltering without explaining, you are abdicating your role as educator in favor of your role as protector. Neither extremes are admirable parenting. Striking a thoughtful medium between them both keeps the lines of communication open once a child is subjected to outside influences.


Believe me, I get it. I get it waaaaay more than you think.

 

[JunieJay]

I think you miss the point of many of us who won't censor. I use this sort of exposure as a learning tool. We discuss lyrics and situations that are degrading/dangerous/unethical/distasteful. We make a point of illustrating why we don't believe that some thoughts are acceptable in our household. And we explain why some people feel the way they do, why they choose to express it through an artistic medium and why it is acceptable for them to do so in a free society.

I'd hardly call that "not parenting" and for those of you who feel that I am NOT parenting, I suggest that by sheltering without explaining, you are abdicating your role as educator in favor of your role as protector. Neither extremes are admirable parenting. Striking a thoughtful medium between them both keeps the lines of communication open once a child is subjected to outside influences.


Believe me, I get it. I get it waaaaay more than you think.

Well said, Gina. Although I have to admit some random stranger on the Internet telling me I need to be a better parent is rather amusing..I mean, where do people actually get off??? My goodness........

 

[MyManGoofy!]

If your comments are directed at me:

1) Go back and read my posts and don't just "pick and choose" which posts or even which parts of a post you are gonna read. Or maybe read what was posted more thoroughly.

2) I do not believe any of my posts tell you what you should do in your home. Just what I do in mine. I did give my opinion about the topic and state my surprise that so many are ok with it but I am not sure that means I am telling anyone what to do.

 

[gina2000]

The second half of my response was directed to the public at large.

However, if I have to read that I'm abdicating my responsibilities if I allow my child to view/read/listen to something that's considered generally inappropriate by society at large, whether said by an ultra-liberal or an arch-conservative, I think I'm going to die laughing. Just because I allow my child to listen to lyrics that are degrading, doesn't mean I approve of them, doesn't mean I don't care about my child's welfare, doesn't mean I don't parent. I use lyrics to educate (as I've already stated). Many people come to the state of adulthood with different and often harrowing life experiences. Their expression (and I think of Eminem and his view of women/mothers first and foremost when I think of this subject) comes from a horrific background of neglect. While this subject will never be on a college application (clever but unconvincing remark, to the poster who coined it I may add), it will be a life concern for society. To educate and employ every effort to eradicate horrible behavior starts with knowing about the subject. That's why I educate instead of ban. My son is old enough to know about the lyrics. It's more important that he gets my take on them, not just his buddies'. It's like sex education.....it does NOT go away just because you ignore it.


Anyhow, I'm off to a party. Enjoy your day.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Just because some guy uses a, very comical, sexual term about women, it doesn't mean it's okay to do it to me.

Just to clarify, do you find the word "ho" comical? I don't see the humour.

I think you miss the point of many of us who won't censor. I use this sort of exposure as a learning tool. We discuss lyrics and situations that are degrading/dangerous/unethical/distasteful. We make a point of illustrating why we don't believe that some thoughts are acceptable in our household. And we explain why some people feel the way they do, why they choose to express it through an artistic medium and why it is acceptable for them to do so in a free society.

Fair enough but I don't see how letting your kid dance around to this song or others like it when you are trying to teach them that is is degrading/dangerous/unethical/distasteful is an effective learning tool.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Personally, my circle of friends (men and women) all find the things described in this song to be degrading and disrespectful to women. I am not sure that I would want to know people that think this kind of stuff is ok. Porn also fits in this category.
The swimsuit issue is a little different to me. It depends on the shot/pose. I have nothing against the human form whatsoever - so just a scantily clad or naked body does not necessarily translate as degrading IMO.

I'm not sure I'd want to know people who are so uptight about something as simple as a song.

And what the heck is wrong with porn?? (NOT CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, just normal adult porn)

I guess a trip to the local adult toy store or attending a TOY PARTY isn’t an option for some DISers.

 

[Kath2003]

Just to clarify, do you find the word "ho" comical? I don't see the humour.

No, it's the superman that I find comical. But 'ho' doesn't particularly mean anything to me; it's not a word that resounds with me. Besides, every version I've heard on the radio it's either "oh" or "no".

 

[va32h]

I'm not sure I'd want to know people who are so uptight about something as simple as a song.

And what the heck is wrong with porn?? (NOT CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, just normal adult porn)

I guess a trip to the local adult toy store or attending a TOY PARTY isn’t an option for some DISers.

Nothing is wrong with porn if you are an adult. I wouldn't show my eight year old porn, and I think it's pretty safe to say that most people would "censor" their 8 year old from porn (PLEASE say yes!)

I think you miss the point of many of us who won't censor. I use this sort of exposure as a learning tool. We discuss lyrics and situations that are degrading/dangerous/unethical/distasteful. We make a point of illustrating why we don't believe that some thoughts are acceptable in our household. And we explain why some people feel the way they do, why they choose to express it through an artistic medium and why it is acceptable for them to do so in a free society.

And again, this is an conversation I might have with an older child - say 13 and up. But this is a conversation that my son (7, almost 8) is completely incapable of understanding on that level. And it requires me to explain why the lyrics are degrading and no, I'm just not defining "Superman that ho" for my small son.

And that's one of the differences between music today and music twenty years ago. The lyrics may have been suggestive (although I would still argue that they are more graphic lyrics today) but the audience was older. I know you are all going to jump in and tell me that you were sophisticated musical afficianados when you were ten, but most consumers of pop music have historically been teens and young adults. Music was not aggressively marketed to children.

Now we have popular music that certainly is marketed toward kids - from Disney Channel performers to that pile of excrement known as Kidz Bop. No, I don't think all popular music is bad and no I don't run around clamping my hands over my kids' ears when a song comes on.

But I do think that what my children hear is as influential as what they see. I wouldn't let the watch the events described in this (and similar) songs, so I wouldn't let them listen to said description of events.

To me it's no different than bringing them to an R rated movie and just putting a blindfold on, letting them listen to whatever objectionable language or violence is on the screen.

Anyway - I realize that this is an unpopular opinion and of course what you do is none of my business. It's your decision. I don't think you are an amoral libertine for letting your kids listen to this music, please don't consider me an uptight Nazi censor for not letting mine.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Nothing is wrong with porn if you are an adult. I wouldn't show my eight year old porn, and I think it's pretty safe to say that most people would "censor" their 8 year old from porn (PLEASE say yes!)

I was talking about adults.

 

[Jimbo]

Now I'm LMAO and here's why. The Pusher was released in 1968. I was 11. When Harvest was released in 1972, I was 15. I assumed that the lyrics were pro-drug. Never thought anything about it. It just proves that kids don't pay attention to lyrics when they like the music.

It proves nothing of the sort. It proves that in 1968, you had to guess what the lyrics were, because there weren't many resources to find out.

The second part of my post was that kids can go to Google, and in a few seconds find out what the lyrics really are. My 13YO granddaughter could do it in a second, and her 10YO sister could too. And they're just typical kids.

So when a little kid finds out that he's saying "superman that ho," their next stop is likely a site such as Urban Dictionary to find out what the heck that means. That's what their mother did, and she's much less internet-savvy than her kids are.

So if you're saying that it doesn't matter that kids know about this stuff, and are singing along with it, that's one thing. But I'm not buying that it "proves" that kids don't pay attention to it.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

No, it's the superman that I find comical. But 'ho' doesn't particularly mean anything to me; it's not a word that resounds with me. Besides, every version I've heard on the radio it's either "oh" or "no".

I'm sorry but I find it hard that anyone would find supermanning comical.

I was talking about adults.

Maybe that's the problem. The rest of us are talking about children. Refer to thread title and OP.

 

[va32h]

I was talking about adults.

Well that's a relief.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Maybe that's the problem. The rest of us are talking about children. Refer to thread title and OP.

Some poster are talking about both.

 

[Kath2003]

I'm sorry but I find it hard that anyone would find supermanning comical.

Either we have ENTIRELY different definitions (and urban dictionary agrees with mine) but seriously, it's funny

Soulja Boy reckon it's referring just to the dance move anyway...google "soulja boy superman definition" for more info

 

[va32h]

You might want to remove that link kath2003 as it contains language that is not allowed on these boards. I know, gasp! More censoring.

 

[Jimbo]

Either we have ENTIRELY different definitions (and urban dictionary agrees with mine) but seriously, it's funny

It does? I went to http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=superman and definitions #1 and #2 aren't funny at all.

 

[Kath2003]

You might want to remove that link kath2003 as it contains language that is not allowed on these boards. I know, gasp! More censoring.

Thanks, sorted.

It does? I went to... and definition #1 isn't funny at all.

Really? I find that image very amusing!
I guess I look at it as an urban myth rather than anything that would actually HAPPEN.

 

[graygables]

Really? I find that image very amusing!
I guess I look at it as an urban myth rather than anything that would actually HAPPEN.

Clearly a comment by someone who has never been exposed to abuse of that very type. Sweetie, wake up, it's not a "myth" and it's NOT "amusing" and it's W-R-O-N-G to allow anyone, much less children to listen to it. If you would not allow your child to WATCH IT HAPPEN LIVE, they shouldn't listen to it or watch it on a screen, either, for that matter. Children do NOT have the full ability to discern between reality and fantasy (despite how "gifted" and "wonderful" they are and despite the number of oh-so-deep conversations you've had with them since they were 2 ), that's the parents job, to DISCERN, and to tell their children "no" when something is not appropriate for them.

 

[Kath2003]

Clearly a comment by someone who has never been exposed to abuse of that very type. Sweetie, wake up, it's not a "myth" and it's NOT "amusing" and it's W-R-O-N-G to allow anyone, much less children to listen to it. If you would not allow your child to WATCH IT HAPPEN LIVE, they shouldn't listen to it or watch it on a screen, either, for that matter. Children do NOT have the full ability to discern between reality and fantasy (despite how "gifted" and "wonderful" they are and despite the number of oh-so-deep conversations you've had with them since they were 2 ), that's the parents job, to DISCERN, and to tell their children "no" when something is not appropriate for them.

We are patronising this evening, aren't we? I don't have kids, so I don't know whether I'd let them listen to it. I guess I was brought up with enough arrogance to believe that if ever anyone tried that kind of thing with me in reality I'd kick them out on their behind, so I don't mind people writing a song with that kind of thing in it. I was simply saying that I don't find that song, or that phrase offensive.