This category contains lyrics that play off of traditional children's games, stories, and nursery rhymes.
Besides being a source of joy, children are our future investment. Education is a major component in protecting our investment. If children are bombarded with pictures and words that glorify irresponsible sex, drug abuse, and gratuitous violence, then what outcome can we expect?
The values that children learn as they develop become the most important attributes they possess because they define the social and subculture boundaries and influence the choices made in life.
Under present conditions, two things are happening in our modern environment that effect children. First, we are introducing through mass media inappropriate material to minds too young to make differential judgments, which during their formative years may become the foundation for their beliefs. Second, we are denying our children the opportunity to grow up in a protected environment where they can enjoy their childhood without growing up too fast, and at the same time, develop a strong value base for their adulthood choices.
Those who believe that it is the parent's responsibility to look after their children are correct in that they face the main burden of responsibility. However, in addition to parental responsibility, we have a responsibility to each other as a society. The societal contract, in part, is an agreement to restrain from some individual interests for the general good. There are many children who, for various reasons just do not get the supervision they need. Can society afford to ignore those kids in order to indulge in soft-porn on the radio or TV? One would hope that a caring society would try to minimize this exposure to children, not maximize it.
The formula for raising children is relatively simple: providing love, guidance, and the basic necessities. The challenge for most parents is implementing it. Children need models for behavior. If these are not provided, they will take it from other available sources like TV and music. Society’s role should be to provide a supportive environment for parents and surrogates to carry through on their responsibilities.
As one gazes through the collection of quotes contained in this book, it is hoped that one takes a moment to honestly and objectively reflect, is it good practice to expose all of these song lyrics to: a 5 year old child? a 7 year old child? a 10 year old child? a 12 year old teenager? or a 15 year old young adult?